Great numbers
assembled
to assist at this celebration.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v6
* ThereisaLifeofthisholysolitary,inthe Petits Bollandistes,s at the ist day of June ; it is also given by Rev.
S.
Baring- Gould.
6 Wehavealreadyalludedtothisholyman,intheLifeofSt.
Finan,?
Bishop of Lindisfarne, and Apostle in Northumbria, at the 9th day of January, as likewise—if he be not a different Ronan—in a special article, at the 6th of
8 This is said to have been that a Scot to whom February. Ronan, by birth,
Venerable Bede alludes. However, such a statement is more than doubtful ; nor is it credited, by Father Hennschen, who states, that the Ronan men- tioned by Venerable Bede must have lived, at least a century later than the present saint. 10 The parents of this holy man are said to have been persons of the middle class. At first pagans, they became Christians in Ireland," where they were moved to the profession of Faith, owing to the preaching of St. Patrick. 12 When their son was born has not transpired ; but, possibly the date for this event may be referred to the latter part of the fifth century.
He was a native of Ireland, 13 according to the writers of his Acts. It is said, that Ronan was educated, in profane science, at first ;'« but, that his mind was prepared by Divine grace for the reception of truth, when he had discovered theerrorandfollyofpaganism. Hewasachildofnaturallygooddisposi- tions; and,whateverscienceheacquiredwasdiligentlystoredinhismind, while he learned soon to obey all the Divine precepts. Then, after he had
Article ii. — ' See the Bollandists'
lib.
See the Bollandists'
" Acta Sanctorum," tomus Armorica, pp. 83, 84.
2
Edited by Father Godefrid Henschenn. 3 See " Les Vies des Saints de Bretagne,"
tome i. , June i. , pp. 15410161.
4 See "Histoire de Bretagne," tome i. ,
liv. ii. , num. clxxx. , p. 73.
s See "Les Vies des Saints," tome
vi. ,
Premier Jour de Juin, pp. 366 to 368. 6"
7 See the First Volume of this work, Art. ii.
8
lorum," I0
iii. , cap. xxv. , p. 233.
"Acta
De S.
i.
Ronano Episcopo, Eremita in Britannia tomus i. , Junii i. De S. Ronano Episcopo,
See Lives of the Saints," vol. vi. , June 1st, pp. 4, 5.
the true faith.
TM See " Les Petits
ier Juin, p. 366.
Bollandistes,
" tome
vi. ,
Seethe Second Volume of this work,
i. , Junii
Sanctorum,"
Art. ix.
»" pp.
In Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Ang- 45.
Eremita in Britannia Armorica, Commenta- rius Praevius, num. 4, p. 83.
" Albert le Grand states, that Ronan passed over to Great Britain, where he was instructed and baptized; but, the Bollan- dist editor of his Acts states, that the Anglo- Saxons were
idolators, during the fifth and sixth centuries, while the Irish had embraced
« See
niae," ix. Januarii.
Lindisfarnensi, cap. iv. , and n. 6, 44,
Colgan's
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber- De S. Finano Episcopo
June i. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
received Minor Orders, he was gradually raised to the dignity of Subdeacon, Deacon, and Priest. Finally, he obtained the episcopal grade, 15 through the
distinguished merits which were recognised in him. His ministry became fruitful in every good work, and he was found to be just in the sight of God. The holy spirit ever guided his course. That his parents were persons of some distinction may be inferred from a circumstance related, that our saint was held in much honour in Ireland, although his humility discarded all display. Desir- ous to lead a life of greater perfection, Ronan left his native country; for, he believed, that as a true follower of Christ, he should enjoy a greater reward by renouncing home, kindred and friends, after the words and spirit of the Gospel, so as to deny himself and to take up his cross, thus imitating his Divine Master. He desired to cross the ocean, and to seek the territory of
Britain. 16 He
sought
the shores of Aremorica, and went to the country of
ofwhichiscalledSaintPoldeLeon,afterits
He settled in Basse or Lower Bre- Bretagne,
1 ? and century. Day night
Leon,
episcopal city St. Pol or Paul. 18
first
1? thechief
Bishop
he devoted to God's service ; and, through his prayers, numbers who were blind received the gift of vision; the sick were healed; and persons who were possessed obtained freedom from their affliction, so that the fame of Ronan soon spread abroad. The place where he lived was called by the Bretons Loc-Renan-Ar-Fang, and it is in the present town of Saint Renan-en-Leon. There, probably he might have remained, for the rest of his days ; but, for the miracles he wrought, and which brought a great number of people to his cell. He desired to have more time for prayer and a greater seclusion. He resolved, therefore, on seeking some other situation, and accordingly, accom- panied by an Angel of the Lord, he passed over the gulf of Brest, and arrived at the forest of Coat-Neven,20 in the country of Cornouailles. There, he found a very holy man, and when Ronan came to his house, the pilgrim was joyfully received, and pressed to remain with him for some time. His host when Ronan " I am a Scot
purpose,
tagne,
where he
it is
lived, thought,
in the sixth
asked about his and his country
replied :
by birth, belonging to a land beyond the sea, wanting all things which I had freely from my father, and for the love of H;m who willingly left worldly goods for our sake ; I sought exile of my own accord ; I relinquished worldly things, trusting to receive greater favours from Him, on the Day of Judgment. " Only a few days passed, until Ronan began the erection of his cell 21 and
when it had been completed, there he devoted himself assiduously to prayer and fasting. At this time Grallon,22 King of the Britons, ruled over that country. Soon an account was circulated about Ronan, his country, and the
14AccordingtoAlbertleGrand.
15 Such is the statement of Albert le Grand.
16 Whether he went first to Greater or
Lesser Britain is not specified, in the Bre-
viary of Corisopitan.
** See Lobineau's" Histoire de Bretagne,"
tome i. , liv. ii. , num. clxxx. , p. 73. 18
the12thofDecember. See"ActaSanc- torum," tomus i. . Juniii. De S. Ronano Episcopo, Eremita in Britannia Armorica, Commentarius Prsevius, num. I, p. 83.
2I The Acts of St. Ronan state, that it was
built near the Nem;3ean wood, which was
formerly of great extent, and which was a
great covert for wild animals. It is called His feast is held, on the 12th of the Koat Nevet, rendered Foret Sacree, in
March.
19 The Rev. Dr. Lanigan says, he retired
. to Britanny, about the latter end of the fifth
century. See "Ecclesiastical History of
the Legende de Saint Ronan, given by Le Vicomte Hersart de la Villemarque, in his " Barzaz Breiz,'' pp. 477, to 482.
" This appears to have been Grallon, Comte de Cornouaille, founder of the Abbey
Ireland," vol. i. , chap, ix. , sect, xii. , p. 492.
30 It was otherwise known as Nemea of Landevenec, and of the See of Quimper,
Sylva—called Neve by Albert le Grand— mentioned by Lobineau, in his "
Histoire and it was about three leagues from Kemper- de Bretagne," tome i. , liv. i. , sect. , xxviii. ,
corentin, so called from its first bishop and p. 9.
patron St. Corentin, whose feast is kept c. i 93 See the Bollandists' " Acta Sanctonim,
;
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[June i.
purpose he had in leaving it. This holy man was remarkable for his austere manner of living ; and, Grallon desired to visit him, and to receive his bene- diction. The multitude followed this example afforded by their king. Ronan preached the word of God to all who flocked thither, and great was the con- solation he afforded. 23 One day, while Ronan stood at the door of his cell, he saw a wolf bearing away in his mouth a sheep from some adjoining farm, andhasteningtothewood. TrustingintheAlmighty,heshouted,andthe wolf dropped its prey. Nor was the like incident a singular one, for often he saved the flocks of his neighbours, in the same manner. 2* At one time, he was so oppressed with hunger and fatigue, that he was obliged to seek a meansoflivingfromagoodpeasant,whohospitablyentertainedhim. So touched was his host, with the purity of Ronan's motives, that he asked per- mission some times to visit the saint. However, Keban, or Queban, the wife of thispeasant,25 wasapassionateandanenviouswoman,whogavewaytoher irritability of temper, when she found her husband staying too long at the hermitage. Keban complained, that he had neglected her, and had become idle ; while her complaints were especially directed against Ronan, who bore these reproaches in silence, and with admirable patience. This only increased her fury, and she furthermore circulated calumnies against him, among her neighbours who were over-credulous. She pretended, that Ronan was a magician, who was desirous of initiating her husband to the mysteries of some diabolic arts. Although her false statements were credited, by some ignorant persons ; yet, those who were more reasonable continued to honour Ronan, and this served to counteract her malicious designs. But, she conceived a still more wicked project, to effect her revenge. She had a little daughter, only between four and five years, and her she concealed in a closet. Then, she circulated a report, that Ronan, through his magic arts, was able to trans- form himself into a wild beast, whenever he so willed, while in such a guise, he was the wolf, which destroyed so many animals, in that part of the country. She averred, moreover, that hating herself more than any of the other inhabi- tants there, that abominable man had devoured her only daughter. These charges created a popular excitement, and accompanied by many other women, Keban immediately went to the saint's hermitage, and with horrible cries demanded her child. Still deceiving her followers, that wicked woman induced them to accompany her to Quimper, where King Grallon lived. There, shedding tears in abundance, and with violent contortions, she cast herself at the king's feet, demanding justice to be executed against Ronan, who had devoured her daughter, and who had made her husband a sorcerer. So like were her actions to the impulses of nature, that Grallon, and the greater part of his nobles, were deceived. Seduced by her words, and horrified at the enormity of the imputed crime, the king sent a messenger to arrest Ronan. When he came before Grallon,26 the latter, in a towering passion, and giving way to his natural impetuosity of disposition, would not allow Ronantheslightestopportunity,tosayawordinhisowndefence. "Ihave two furious bull-dogs," shouted the king," and they shall soon prove, if this man be innocent ; let them be hounded on against him, and we shall test the sanctity of his life, if he be not guilty. " Accordingly, the dogs were loosed against Ronan, who instantly raised his hand, making a sign of the cross.
tomus i. , Junii i. Vita ex Breviario Coriso- pitensi, num. 3, p. 84.
14 See ibid. , num. 3, p. 84.
35 The Rev. S. Baring-Gould mistakes her
"
for the wife of Grallon. See Lives of the
Saints," vol. vi. , June 1st, p. 4.
•
"*
Bertrandus Argentrseus, states, that Grallon or Gradlon died "anno quadringen- tessimo quinto," lib. i. , "Histona: Britan- niae,"cap. 22. This date, however, is incor- rect, as the Bollandists show in the Acts of St. Winwaloe Abbot, at March iii.
June i. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
and " saying :
The seemed at once to dogs
our Saviour
currentofhismind,asherecollectedhowprecipitatehehadbeen. Then, allowing our saint to plead in turn, he was enabled to manifest his innocence of that crime imputed to him. The malignity of Keban was soon thoroughly revealed, and the power of God was shown. Ronan declared, that the woman's daughter had been concealed in a place he mentioned, and so small was it, thatshecouldnotbreathefreely,andthatconsequentlyshedied. Immedia- tely, officers were despatched to search for the body. It was accordingly found, and at once public indignation was so inflamed, that the people declared Keban deserved to be stoned to death or burned at the stake. How- ever, the charity of Ronan delivered her from that peril ; for, in the presence of the whole crowd assembled, he restored to life the daughter of his enemy, thus proving his true Christian spirit. The close of St. Ronan's days is buried
in and his Acts seem to be silent obscurity,
May
prevent you. "
abandon their natural ferocity, for a manner of gentleness, as they approached Ronan,onlytofawnonandcaresshim. ThiscausedGrallontochangethe
regarding
to have been the same as Renan the Monk, who has been said, but through
mistake, to have been a contemporary with St. Martin of Tours. His body
28 wasburied,intheplaceofhissecondhermitage, whichafterwardsborethe
A shrine
name in the Armoric tongue, of Loc-Renan-Ar-Coat-Nevent. 2?
contained his relics, which were formerly borne in procession around the mount, every seventh year, on the ist of June, and with solemn ceremonies.
Great numbers assembled to assist at this celebration. There, the piety of the Count of Cornuailles built a noble church. Thither, too, several pilgrims re- sorted from all parts of Brittany, to obtain spiritual favours, at the tomb of our saint. ThechurchofLoc-Renan-Ar-Coat-Neventyetcontainsthetombofthis holyman. ItisbuiltofKersantonstone,anditconsistsofamassivetablet, on which is a recumbent figure of St. Ronan, represented in episcopal dress, the mitre on his head, with a pastoral staff, in his left hand. Under the feet is a monster, supposed to symbolize paganism, the remains of which he con- tributed to extirpate in the country of Brittany. The popular devotion and respect for our saint served to raise this place into a considerable town. In its church, two of St. Ronan's ribs had been long preserved as relics ; but, the greater part of his body had been transferred, to the cathedral church of Quim-
3° where it was until the of the French Revolu- per, religiously kept, period
tion. 31 Great miracles are said to have been wrought, at the tomb of St. Ronan,asalsoatQuimper. Atpresent,inthecityanddioceseofKemper-
corentin, the feast of St. Ronan, Bishop and Confessor, is kept on the Kalends of June, as a Double Rite. 32 This is the date for his festival, in the
local Calendars. Besides the two towns of Saint-Ronan, in the dioceses of
" Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, ix. , sect.
Albert 1^ Grand. the Second Nocturn taken from the same 30 A stately edifice, lately restored from Life, but contracted. At the end, what had the designs of M. Viollet le Due. See been wanting in it is found supplied, and Murray's "Hand-Book for Travellers in this has reference to his death and relics.
27 See Rev. Dr.
Lanigan's
authority of Acts, taken from an old Bre-
viary, and sent to them, by Peter Bernand, "
S. J. Also, they had Proprium Sanctorum
xii. , n. 181. p. 493.
88 According to Albert le Grand.
2» "Quod sedes Ronani fuerit," adds in which at the same date were Lessons of
France," Brittany, sect, ii. , Route 44, The ecclesiastical office is of a Confessor and '•
p. 156.
Pontiff. See Acta Sanctorum," tomusi. ,
i. DeS. Ronano
in Britannia Armorica, Commentarius Prae- vius, num. 1, p. 83.
"Viesdes 32 This the Bollandists state, on the
31
Saints," tome vi. , Premier Jour de Juin, p. 367.
See Les Petits Bollandistes,
Junii
Episcopo, Eremita,
it. He is 2' thought,
Ecclesix: Coisopotensis," printed a. d. 1642,
3 2 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June i.
Leon and Quimper, there was another called Laurenan, dedicated to our saint, and it gives name to the parish of Lan-Renan, in the diocese of Saint- Brieuc.
Article III. —St. Cummin, or Cuimmein, Abbot of Rechrann,
or Rathlin Island, County of Antrim. {Eighth Century. '] We find 1
the simple entry of Cummin, in the Martyrology of Tallagh, at the ist of June. The O'Clerys think, that he was the same as Cuimmein Cadhan,2 son of Cronchu, son to Ronan, son of Eochaidh Ballderg, son to Cairthenn Finn, son of Blod, son to Cas, son to Conall Eachluath, and descended from the raceofCorbmacCas,sontoOiliollOluim. Thissaintappearstobeidenti- fied with Cumineus Hua Kierain, Abbot of Rechrann or Rathlin Island, county of Antrim, who probably succeeded St. Flann,3 son to Kellach, bishop of Rechrann, who died a. d. 734-4 We find, that his successor Cuiminin Ua Ciarain must have had a short term of rule, as he died in 738,5 according to a Calendar, which has been compiled by the Rev. William Reeves,6 or in 742, according to the Annals of Ulster. ? His name is entered, also, in the
8
Calendars of Marianus O'Gorman and of Charles Maguire. ologyofDonegal9 mentionsCummein,ashavingbeenveneratedonthisday.
Article IV. —St. Leban, or Laobhan, of Ath-Eguis, or Atha
Egais. The of " thenameofLebanAtha Martyrology Tallagh registers
egais,
attheistofJune. ColganthinksthepresentsaintmaybeidentifiedwithaSt.
Macetus,2 orSt. Maccectus,ofDomnachLeobain,whomanufacturedafamous
reliquary, called Finn Faidheach. He appears to have been not only a disciple
of St. Patrick, but one of his official servants or domestics. 3 When St. Patrick
left Elphin and journeyed to Hua-Noella, otherwise, Tiroillell he is said to have
built a church, at a place called Sean Cheall Dumhaighe, where he left a
Macetus, with many of his disciples. The church of Domnach Leobain,
with which he was connected, is thought to have been identical with the
church of in the Diocese of Clonfert. — it is parish Kill-Leoban, However,
possible,—that his real name is unknown, and that Mac Cecht meaning son
of Cecht may have been only his patronymic* Colgan calls him a priests Marianus O'Gorman and Cathal Maguire commemorate Loebain or Loeb-
hanus,
at the ist of 6 and his June,
place
is called
Ath-egais.
We
read, also,
Article hi. —' Kelly, p. xxvi.
Edited by Rev. Dr.
rum Scriptores," tomus iv. 8"
* In Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," he
is called Cumineus Hua Kierain. Quinta copo, n. 6, p. 59.
Appendix ad Acta S. Columbse, cap. viii. , pp. 509, 510.
9 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 142, 143.
3 He
Article IV.
Kelly, p. xxvi. 2"
—
•
on the
4 According to Dr. O'Donovan's
is venerated,
17th
ofJuly.
Edited
by
Rev. Dr.
Annals of the Four Masters,*' vol. i. , pp. 336, 337.
O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernicum
Scriptores,"
3 See ibid. , lib. iii. , 167.
cap. xcviii. , p.
tomusii. , p. 243.
s See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 338, 339.
* If Cecht be assumed as an appellative,
6 See" Ecclesiastical
Connor and Dromore," Appendix L. L. . p. 379.
1 See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernica-
times " —See ibid. , n. 188. power. " 130, p.
Antiquities
of Down,
"
See Trias Thaumaturga," Septima According to Tighernach's Annals he de- Vita S. Patricii, lib. ii. , cap. xli. , p. 135,
parted, however, a. d. 739. See Rev. Dr.
and nn. 80, 81, 82, 83, p. 176.
See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," xii. Januarii. De S. Cumiano Epis-
it sometimes means "a plough," and some-
s See ibid,, Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap. xxiii. , p. 267.
6 See ibid. , n. 129, p. 188.
The Martyr-
June i. } LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 13
in the Martyrology of Donegal,? that Laobhan, of Ath-Eguis, had a festival on this day. However, in William M. Hennessy's copy of this work, I find the
following manuscript note,
Eguis," nearly
manner,
formerly
called Kill
Laobhain,
now 8 in the of Killevan, partly barony Dartry,9
on the
"
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps
and Reeves, pp. 14—2, 143. «
to
and —
447, Appendix iv. , pp. 566, 567.
These are
to the text — no
" Laoban atha
in the same
and apparently as a correction. That writer states, this saint's locality was
andpartlyinthatofMonaghan,countyofMonaghan. Thiswasaportion
of the of while the name Cill " Church of great parish Galloon, Laebain,
Laebhan," indicates an ecclesiastical origin ; and, it may be, that it commemo- rates the St. Laebhan of Cill-Laebhain, in the Diocese of Clonfert, or of Kil- more. 10 There were three churches or in this 11 the most
chapels district;
ancient of which at Killeevan the people in the neighbourhood call " the Abbey of Killeevan ;" but of the original church, there only remains the western gable, with a very small lancet window, which indicates the antiquity of this
building. "
Article V. —St. Egol, of Disert Eegoilse. At this date, the
T
MartyrologyofTallagh recordsafestivaltohonourEgol,ofDisertEegoilse.
Among the many Diserts or Deserts mentioned in Irish topography, we have not been able to identify the present spot.
Article VI. —St. Steallan. We have Steallan, recorded in the
of 1 on this as been honoured with a Martyrology Donegal, day, having
festival.
Article VII. —St. Colman. The
day, registers the name of Colman, as having been venerated. He is other-
wise undistinguished.
Article VIII. —Festival of St. Thecla, Virgin and Martyr. In
the Irish Church, St. Thecla was venerated, on the 1st of June, as we find it
set inthe"Feilire"ofSt. 1 Innotestothe"LeabharBreac" down, ^Engus.
2 we meet further references to this and 3 She holy virgin martyr.
copy,
' Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 142, 143.
8 It contains 11,570a.
8 This is said to have been that a Scot to whom February. Ronan, by birth,
Venerable Bede alludes. However, such a statement is more than doubtful ; nor is it credited, by Father Hennschen, who states, that the Ronan men- tioned by Venerable Bede must have lived, at least a century later than the present saint. 10 The parents of this holy man are said to have been persons of the middle class. At first pagans, they became Christians in Ireland," where they were moved to the profession of Faith, owing to the preaching of St. Patrick. 12 When their son was born has not transpired ; but, possibly the date for this event may be referred to the latter part of the fifth century.
He was a native of Ireland, 13 according to the writers of his Acts. It is said, that Ronan was educated, in profane science, at first ;'« but, that his mind was prepared by Divine grace for the reception of truth, when he had discovered theerrorandfollyofpaganism. Hewasachildofnaturallygooddisposi- tions; and,whateverscienceheacquiredwasdiligentlystoredinhismind, while he learned soon to obey all the Divine precepts. Then, after he had
Article ii. — ' See the Bollandists'
lib.
See the Bollandists'
" Acta Sanctorum," tomus Armorica, pp. 83, 84.
2
Edited by Father Godefrid Henschenn. 3 See " Les Vies des Saints de Bretagne,"
tome i. , June i. , pp. 15410161.
4 See "Histoire de Bretagne," tome i. ,
liv. ii. , num. clxxx. , p. 73.
s See "Les Vies des Saints," tome
vi. ,
Premier Jour de Juin, pp. 366 to 368. 6"
7 See the First Volume of this work, Art. ii.
8
lorum," I0
iii. , cap. xxv. , p. 233.
"Acta
De S.
i.
Ronano Episcopo, Eremita in Britannia tomus i. , Junii i. De S. Ronano Episcopo,
See Lives of the Saints," vol. vi. , June 1st, pp. 4, 5.
the true faith.
TM See " Les Petits
ier Juin, p. 366.
Bollandistes,
" tome
vi. ,
Seethe Second Volume of this work,
i. , Junii
Sanctorum,"
Art. ix.
»" pp.
In Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Ang- 45.
Eremita in Britannia Armorica, Commenta- rius Praevius, num. 4, p. 83.
" Albert le Grand states, that Ronan passed over to Great Britain, where he was instructed and baptized; but, the Bollan- dist editor of his Acts states, that the Anglo- Saxons were
idolators, during the fifth and sixth centuries, while the Irish had embraced
« See
niae," ix. Januarii.
Lindisfarnensi, cap. iv. , and n. 6, 44,
Colgan's
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber- De S. Finano Episcopo
June i. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
received Minor Orders, he was gradually raised to the dignity of Subdeacon, Deacon, and Priest. Finally, he obtained the episcopal grade, 15 through the
distinguished merits which were recognised in him. His ministry became fruitful in every good work, and he was found to be just in the sight of God. The holy spirit ever guided his course. That his parents were persons of some distinction may be inferred from a circumstance related, that our saint was held in much honour in Ireland, although his humility discarded all display. Desir- ous to lead a life of greater perfection, Ronan left his native country; for, he believed, that as a true follower of Christ, he should enjoy a greater reward by renouncing home, kindred and friends, after the words and spirit of the Gospel, so as to deny himself and to take up his cross, thus imitating his Divine Master. He desired to cross the ocean, and to seek the territory of
Britain. 16 He
sought
the shores of Aremorica, and went to the country of
ofwhichiscalledSaintPoldeLeon,afterits
He settled in Basse or Lower Bre- Bretagne,
1 ? and century. Day night
Leon,
episcopal city St. Pol or Paul. 18
first
1? thechief
Bishop
he devoted to God's service ; and, through his prayers, numbers who were blind received the gift of vision; the sick were healed; and persons who were possessed obtained freedom from their affliction, so that the fame of Ronan soon spread abroad. The place where he lived was called by the Bretons Loc-Renan-Ar-Fang, and it is in the present town of Saint Renan-en-Leon. There, probably he might have remained, for the rest of his days ; but, for the miracles he wrought, and which brought a great number of people to his cell. He desired to have more time for prayer and a greater seclusion. He resolved, therefore, on seeking some other situation, and accordingly, accom- panied by an Angel of the Lord, he passed over the gulf of Brest, and arrived at the forest of Coat-Neven,20 in the country of Cornouailles. There, he found a very holy man, and when Ronan came to his house, the pilgrim was joyfully received, and pressed to remain with him for some time. His host when Ronan " I am a Scot
purpose,
tagne,
where he
it is
lived, thought,
in the sixth
asked about his and his country
replied :
by birth, belonging to a land beyond the sea, wanting all things which I had freely from my father, and for the love of H;m who willingly left worldly goods for our sake ; I sought exile of my own accord ; I relinquished worldly things, trusting to receive greater favours from Him, on the Day of Judgment. " Only a few days passed, until Ronan began the erection of his cell 21 and
when it had been completed, there he devoted himself assiduously to prayer and fasting. At this time Grallon,22 King of the Britons, ruled over that country. Soon an account was circulated about Ronan, his country, and the
14AccordingtoAlbertleGrand.
15 Such is the statement of Albert le Grand.
16 Whether he went first to Greater or
Lesser Britain is not specified, in the Bre-
viary of Corisopitan.
** See Lobineau's" Histoire de Bretagne,"
tome i. , liv. ii. , num. clxxx. , p. 73. 18
the12thofDecember. See"ActaSanc- torum," tomus i. . Juniii. De S. Ronano Episcopo, Eremita in Britannia Armorica, Commentarius Prsevius, num. I, p. 83.
2I The Acts of St. Ronan state, that it was
built near the Nem;3ean wood, which was
formerly of great extent, and which was a
great covert for wild animals. It is called His feast is held, on the 12th of the Koat Nevet, rendered Foret Sacree, in
March.
19 The Rev. Dr. Lanigan says, he retired
. to Britanny, about the latter end of the fifth
century. See "Ecclesiastical History of
the Legende de Saint Ronan, given by Le Vicomte Hersart de la Villemarque, in his " Barzaz Breiz,'' pp. 477, to 482.
" This appears to have been Grallon, Comte de Cornouaille, founder of the Abbey
Ireland," vol. i. , chap, ix. , sect, xii. , p. 492.
30 It was otherwise known as Nemea of Landevenec, and of the See of Quimper,
Sylva—called Neve by Albert le Grand— mentioned by Lobineau, in his "
Histoire and it was about three leagues from Kemper- de Bretagne," tome i. , liv. i. , sect. , xxviii. ,
corentin, so called from its first bishop and p. 9.
patron St. Corentin, whose feast is kept c. i 93 See the Bollandists' " Acta Sanctonim,
;
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[June i.
purpose he had in leaving it. This holy man was remarkable for his austere manner of living ; and, Grallon desired to visit him, and to receive his bene- diction. The multitude followed this example afforded by their king. Ronan preached the word of God to all who flocked thither, and great was the con- solation he afforded. 23 One day, while Ronan stood at the door of his cell, he saw a wolf bearing away in his mouth a sheep from some adjoining farm, andhasteningtothewood. TrustingintheAlmighty,heshouted,andthe wolf dropped its prey. Nor was the like incident a singular one, for often he saved the flocks of his neighbours, in the same manner. 2* At one time, he was so oppressed with hunger and fatigue, that he was obliged to seek a meansoflivingfromagoodpeasant,whohospitablyentertainedhim. So touched was his host, with the purity of Ronan's motives, that he asked per- mission some times to visit the saint. However, Keban, or Queban, the wife of thispeasant,25 wasapassionateandanenviouswoman,whogavewaytoher irritability of temper, when she found her husband staying too long at the hermitage. Keban complained, that he had neglected her, and had become idle ; while her complaints were especially directed against Ronan, who bore these reproaches in silence, and with admirable patience. This only increased her fury, and she furthermore circulated calumnies against him, among her neighbours who were over-credulous. She pretended, that Ronan was a magician, who was desirous of initiating her husband to the mysteries of some diabolic arts. Although her false statements were credited, by some ignorant persons ; yet, those who were more reasonable continued to honour Ronan, and this served to counteract her malicious designs. But, she conceived a still more wicked project, to effect her revenge. She had a little daughter, only between four and five years, and her she concealed in a closet. Then, she circulated a report, that Ronan, through his magic arts, was able to trans- form himself into a wild beast, whenever he so willed, while in such a guise, he was the wolf, which destroyed so many animals, in that part of the country. She averred, moreover, that hating herself more than any of the other inhabi- tants there, that abominable man had devoured her only daughter. These charges created a popular excitement, and accompanied by many other women, Keban immediately went to the saint's hermitage, and with horrible cries demanded her child. Still deceiving her followers, that wicked woman induced them to accompany her to Quimper, where King Grallon lived. There, shedding tears in abundance, and with violent contortions, she cast herself at the king's feet, demanding justice to be executed against Ronan, who had devoured her daughter, and who had made her husband a sorcerer. So like were her actions to the impulses of nature, that Grallon, and the greater part of his nobles, were deceived. Seduced by her words, and horrified at the enormity of the imputed crime, the king sent a messenger to arrest Ronan. When he came before Grallon,26 the latter, in a towering passion, and giving way to his natural impetuosity of disposition, would not allow Ronantheslightestopportunity,tosayawordinhisowndefence. "Ihave two furious bull-dogs," shouted the king," and they shall soon prove, if this man be innocent ; let them be hounded on against him, and we shall test the sanctity of his life, if he be not guilty. " Accordingly, the dogs were loosed against Ronan, who instantly raised his hand, making a sign of the cross.
tomus i. , Junii i. Vita ex Breviario Coriso- pitensi, num. 3, p. 84.
14 See ibid. , num. 3, p. 84.
35 The Rev. S. Baring-Gould mistakes her
"
for the wife of Grallon. See Lives of the
Saints," vol. vi. , June 1st, p. 4.
•
"*
Bertrandus Argentrseus, states, that Grallon or Gradlon died "anno quadringen- tessimo quinto," lib. i. , "Histona: Britan- niae,"cap. 22. This date, however, is incor- rect, as the Bollandists show in the Acts of St. Winwaloe Abbot, at March iii.
June i. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
and " saying :
The seemed at once to dogs
our Saviour
currentofhismind,asherecollectedhowprecipitatehehadbeen. Then, allowing our saint to plead in turn, he was enabled to manifest his innocence of that crime imputed to him. The malignity of Keban was soon thoroughly revealed, and the power of God was shown. Ronan declared, that the woman's daughter had been concealed in a place he mentioned, and so small was it, thatshecouldnotbreathefreely,andthatconsequentlyshedied. Immedia- tely, officers were despatched to search for the body. It was accordingly found, and at once public indignation was so inflamed, that the people declared Keban deserved to be stoned to death or burned at the stake. How- ever, the charity of Ronan delivered her from that peril ; for, in the presence of the whole crowd assembled, he restored to life the daughter of his enemy, thus proving his true Christian spirit. The close of St. Ronan's days is buried
in and his Acts seem to be silent obscurity,
May
prevent you. "
abandon their natural ferocity, for a manner of gentleness, as they approached Ronan,onlytofawnonandcaresshim. ThiscausedGrallontochangethe
regarding
to have been the same as Renan the Monk, who has been said, but through
mistake, to have been a contemporary with St. Martin of Tours. His body
28 wasburied,intheplaceofhissecondhermitage, whichafterwardsborethe
A shrine
name in the Armoric tongue, of Loc-Renan-Ar-Coat-Nevent. 2?
contained his relics, which were formerly borne in procession around the mount, every seventh year, on the ist of June, and with solemn ceremonies.
Great numbers assembled to assist at this celebration. There, the piety of the Count of Cornuailles built a noble church. Thither, too, several pilgrims re- sorted from all parts of Brittany, to obtain spiritual favours, at the tomb of our saint. ThechurchofLoc-Renan-Ar-Coat-Neventyetcontainsthetombofthis holyman. ItisbuiltofKersantonstone,anditconsistsofamassivetablet, on which is a recumbent figure of St. Ronan, represented in episcopal dress, the mitre on his head, with a pastoral staff, in his left hand. Under the feet is a monster, supposed to symbolize paganism, the remains of which he con- tributed to extirpate in the country of Brittany. The popular devotion and respect for our saint served to raise this place into a considerable town. In its church, two of St. Ronan's ribs had been long preserved as relics ; but, the greater part of his body had been transferred, to the cathedral church of Quim-
3° where it was until the of the French Revolu- per, religiously kept, period
tion. 31 Great miracles are said to have been wrought, at the tomb of St. Ronan,asalsoatQuimper. Atpresent,inthecityanddioceseofKemper-
corentin, the feast of St. Ronan, Bishop and Confessor, is kept on the Kalends of June, as a Double Rite. 32 This is the date for his festival, in the
local Calendars. Besides the two towns of Saint-Ronan, in the dioceses of
" Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, ix. , sect.
Albert 1^ Grand. the Second Nocturn taken from the same 30 A stately edifice, lately restored from Life, but contracted. At the end, what had the designs of M. Viollet le Due. See been wanting in it is found supplied, and Murray's "Hand-Book for Travellers in this has reference to his death and relics.
27 See Rev. Dr.
Lanigan's
authority of Acts, taken from an old Bre-
viary, and sent to them, by Peter Bernand, "
S. J. Also, they had Proprium Sanctorum
xii. , n. 181. p. 493.
88 According to Albert le Grand.
2» "Quod sedes Ronani fuerit," adds in which at the same date were Lessons of
France," Brittany, sect, ii. , Route 44, The ecclesiastical office is of a Confessor and '•
p. 156.
Pontiff. See Acta Sanctorum," tomusi. ,
i. DeS. Ronano
in Britannia Armorica, Commentarius Prae- vius, num. 1, p. 83.
"Viesdes 32 This the Bollandists state, on the
31
Saints," tome vi. , Premier Jour de Juin, p. 367.
See Les Petits Bollandistes,
Junii
Episcopo, Eremita,
it. He is 2' thought,
Ecclesix: Coisopotensis," printed a. d. 1642,
3 2 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June i.
Leon and Quimper, there was another called Laurenan, dedicated to our saint, and it gives name to the parish of Lan-Renan, in the diocese of Saint- Brieuc.
Article III. —St. Cummin, or Cuimmein, Abbot of Rechrann,
or Rathlin Island, County of Antrim. {Eighth Century. '] We find 1
the simple entry of Cummin, in the Martyrology of Tallagh, at the ist of June. The O'Clerys think, that he was the same as Cuimmein Cadhan,2 son of Cronchu, son to Ronan, son of Eochaidh Ballderg, son to Cairthenn Finn, son of Blod, son to Cas, son to Conall Eachluath, and descended from the raceofCorbmacCas,sontoOiliollOluim. Thissaintappearstobeidenti- fied with Cumineus Hua Kierain, Abbot of Rechrann or Rathlin Island, county of Antrim, who probably succeeded St. Flann,3 son to Kellach, bishop of Rechrann, who died a. d. 734-4 We find, that his successor Cuiminin Ua Ciarain must have had a short term of rule, as he died in 738,5 according to a Calendar, which has been compiled by the Rev. William Reeves,6 or in 742, according to the Annals of Ulster. ? His name is entered, also, in the
8
Calendars of Marianus O'Gorman and of Charles Maguire. ologyofDonegal9 mentionsCummein,ashavingbeenveneratedonthisday.
Article IV. —St. Leban, or Laobhan, of Ath-Eguis, or Atha
Egais. The of " thenameofLebanAtha Martyrology Tallagh registers
egais,
attheistofJune. ColganthinksthepresentsaintmaybeidentifiedwithaSt.
Macetus,2 orSt. Maccectus,ofDomnachLeobain,whomanufacturedafamous
reliquary, called Finn Faidheach. He appears to have been not only a disciple
of St. Patrick, but one of his official servants or domestics. 3 When St. Patrick
left Elphin and journeyed to Hua-Noella, otherwise, Tiroillell he is said to have
built a church, at a place called Sean Cheall Dumhaighe, where he left a
Macetus, with many of his disciples. The church of Domnach Leobain,
with which he was connected, is thought to have been identical with the
church of in the Diocese of Clonfert. — it is parish Kill-Leoban, However,
possible,—that his real name is unknown, and that Mac Cecht meaning son
of Cecht may have been only his patronymic* Colgan calls him a priests Marianus O'Gorman and Cathal Maguire commemorate Loebain or Loeb-
hanus,
at the ist of 6 and his June,
place
is called
Ath-egais.
We
read, also,
Article hi. —' Kelly, p. xxvi.
Edited by Rev. Dr.
rum Scriptores," tomus iv. 8"
* In Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," he
is called Cumineus Hua Kierain. Quinta copo, n. 6, p. 59.
Appendix ad Acta S. Columbse, cap. viii. , pp. 509, 510.
9 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 142, 143.
3 He
Article IV.
Kelly, p. xxvi. 2"
—
•
on the
4 According to Dr. O'Donovan's
is venerated,
17th
ofJuly.
Edited
by
Rev. Dr.
Annals of the Four Masters,*' vol. i. , pp. 336, 337.
O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernicum
Scriptores,"
3 See ibid. , lib. iii. , 167.
cap. xcviii. , p.
tomusii. , p. 243.
s See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 338, 339.
* If Cecht be assumed as an appellative,
6 See" Ecclesiastical
Connor and Dromore," Appendix L. L. . p. 379.
1 See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernica-
times " —See ibid. , n. 188. power. " 130, p.
Antiquities
of Down,
"
See Trias Thaumaturga," Septima According to Tighernach's Annals he de- Vita S. Patricii, lib. ii. , cap. xli. , p. 135,
parted, however, a. d. 739. See Rev. Dr.
and nn. 80, 81, 82, 83, p. 176.
See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," xii. Januarii. De S. Cumiano Epis-
it sometimes means "a plough," and some-
s See ibid,, Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap. xxiii. , p. 267.
6 See ibid. , n. 129, p. 188.
The Martyr-
June i. } LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 13
in the Martyrology of Donegal,? that Laobhan, of Ath-Eguis, had a festival on this day. However, in William M. Hennessy's copy of this work, I find the
following manuscript note,
Eguis," nearly
manner,
formerly
called Kill
Laobhain,
now 8 in the of Killevan, partly barony Dartry,9
on the
"
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps
and Reeves, pp. 14—2, 143. «
to
and —
447, Appendix iv. , pp. 566, 567.
These are
to the text — no
" Laoban atha
in the same
and apparently as a correction. That writer states, this saint's locality was
andpartlyinthatofMonaghan,countyofMonaghan. Thiswasaportion
of the of while the name Cill " Church of great parish Galloon, Laebain,
Laebhan," indicates an ecclesiastical origin ; and, it may be, that it commemo- rates the St. Laebhan of Cill-Laebhain, in the Diocese of Clonfert, or of Kil- more. 10 There were three churches or in this 11 the most
chapels district;
ancient of which at Killeevan the people in the neighbourhood call " the Abbey of Killeevan ;" but of the original church, there only remains the western gable, with a very small lancet window, which indicates the antiquity of this
building. "
Article V. —St. Egol, of Disert Eegoilse. At this date, the
T
MartyrologyofTallagh recordsafestivaltohonourEgol,ofDisertEegoilse.
Among the many Diserts or Deserts mentioned in Irish topography, we have not been able to identify the present spot.
Article VI. —St. Steallan. We have Steallan, recorded in the
of 1 on this as been honoured with a Martyrology Donegal, day, having
festival.
Article VII. —St. Colman. The
day, registers the name of Colman, as having been venerated. He is other-
wise undistinguished.
Article VIII. —Festival of St. Thecla, Virgin and Martyr. In
the Irish Church, St. Thecla was venerated, on the 1st of June, as we find it
set inthe"Feilire"ofSt. 1 Innotestothe"LeabharBreac" down, ^Engus.
2 we meet further references to this and 3 She holy virgin martyr.
copy,
' Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 142, 143.
8 It contains 11,570a.
