77 This supposition must refer to that time, after the Pallium had been conceded to their
respective
occupants
; and, it should bring our saint's life down to the middle ages.
; and, it should bring our saint's life down to the middle ages.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
, Mali xxi.
, p.
65.
5' This was dedicated to the holy Virgin
and Martyr, St. Justina. This convent is
known to have existed from 964. In it, Ar-
mingardus, the daughter of King Lothaire,
led a religious life, and there too was she
buried, as her epitaph proves. In the year
1015, it was called the Monastery of Our that it is "a mixture of the heavy Saxon Saviour; but, soon after this period it was style, as we are pleased to call it, and the called the Nunnery of St. Justina, whose light arabesque. "—" A Classical Tour head was brought thither, and perhaps a new through Italy, An. mdcccii. ," vol. iii. , church had been built in her honour. chap, xii. , p. 435.
5= The Rule of St. Benedict, who departed ss See Vita ex MS. Notariali Ecclesise S.
chap, ii. , pp. 42 to 74.
53 See Vita ex MS. Notariali Ecclesise S.
Justince Liicoe, edita ab IlUistriss. Francisco Maria Florentinio, sect. 5. —" Acta Sancto- rum," tomus v. , Mali xxi. , p. 65.
54 it was erected in the eleventh century, The Rev. John Chetwode Eustace remarks,
534
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 21.
to the Almight}', for her happy departure's He then set out for Rome, and on his return took sick. His brother-in-law at Lucca received him, however, with his accustomed kindness. The saint was already distinguished, for several miracles he wrought, in favour of the sick, many of whom were healed from various diseases, and even solely, by drinking water, in which he had washed his hands. 5^ The day of our saint's death being now at hand, Silaus desired, that he might be brought to the oratory of St. Justina ; here after a few days, his blessed spirit departed to those mansions of bliss, in which he fondly hoped to rejoin his beloved sister. The year of his demise is not recorded.
His body was interred with due honour, within the church of St. Justina's convent. Afterwards, the fame of his sanctity became so great, that multi- tudes of sick and infirm came—not only from neighbouring but even from remote places—to be relieved, through his intercession, from various diseases. Largesses and oblations were bestowed by them and others, on that church, inwhichtheremainsofoursaintreposed. Theseofferings,however,inflamed the avaricious desires of Soffredus. He imagined himself justly entitled to a portion of them, because of the sacrifices he had made on behalf of his wife, and of that convent into which she retired. He obliged its religious inmates to return a third part of those oblations they received. This agreement they were obliged to subscribe in writing; but, the Almighty signified his dis- pleasure, at such a proceeding, and in a miraculous manner. For, our saint appeared to a nun, named Lugitha, complaining, that he was subjected to unjust restrictions. He threatened a withdrawal of the grace accorded for working miracles, until such agreement should be annulled. We are left ignorant regarding the result, as the remaining portion of this narrative appears tohavebeendestroyed. However,itistobeinferred,thatmiraclesafterwards ceased, because Soffredus refused to annul his unjust demands. -^7 When such manifestations had lapsed, at the tomb of our saint, according to his prediction; not only the fame of his sanctity became restricted, but even the very spot for his sepulture was forgotten. Yet, to many holy nuns and to other persons specially favoured, the place of his burial had been frequently revealed in visions. In the year of our Lord 1180,=^ on the iii. of the December Nones, the exact spot of our saint's sepulture was revealed to the Abbess C0ecilia,59 to some of her nuns, and to other persons. A mistake has been admitted, by a Notary, or scribe, called Carolus de Ciuffariniis, who has written the Nones of December, while incorrectly transcribing the old Manuscript. ^ After offering up prayers, that place was dug, when the body of Silaus was discovered. The explorers found it enclosed in a tomb. On this were in- scribed these words : " Divi Silai corpus, qui in Hibernia Episcopus fait, summo veneratione hoc sepulchro conditum, ob prsecipua miracula religiosis- sime custoditur. "^' The body was transferred to a position it formerly occu-
Justinre Lucse, eclita ab Illustriss. Francesco Maria Fiorentinio, sect. 6. —" Acta Sancto- rum," tomusv. , Maii xxi. , p. 65.
5* See "Vita, Miracoli, e Memorie di S. Silao Vescovo Irlandese," &c. , cap. x. , p. 68.
57 See Vita ex MS. Notariali Ecclesire S. Justinas Luca', tdita ab lilustiiss. Francisco Maria Fiorentinio, sect. 7. —"Acta Sancto- rum," tomus v. , Maii xxi. , ]5p. 65, 66.
S9 Francesco Maria Fiorentinio collects from the Arcliives of the Nunnery, that the name of Cecilia occurs, from a. d. 1175. to A. n. 1181, when Basilia Abbatissa is found substituted.
^ The Bollandists remark, "in zyfras vertens qua; hauil dubie Romanis nnmeris scripta inilia fucrant. " See " Ada Sancto- rum," lomus v. , Maii xxi. , n. (o), p. 66.
"' This Epitaph, which is not given in the Saint's Life, but, which appears to have been added by ascribe, is supposed by the
s^Cassar Fiancioltuswriitea learned Trea-
tise on the Diocese, Churches, Saints and
Blessed Persons connected with Lucca. He Boll. andists, to have been the work ol a later reads the passage thus and correctly. period. They say, " Vix autem credere
May 21. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
535
pied—near the Altar of the Holy Cross—and with all due veneration. The nuns afterwards petitioned the grandson of Soffredus,who was named Lothaire, to rescind his progenitor's unjust requirements. ^^ To this reasonable request, Lothaireagreed; whenmiracleswereagainwrought,^3atthetombofSilaus. ^* After their discovery of our saint's relics, the religious women of St. Justina applied themselves to ornament the church, in which his body reposed. ^5 New altars were erected and marble slabs were employed, in decorating its interior. The BoUandists ^"^ subjoin a decree ^7 of the Emperor, Otho the Great,^^ in favour of that monastery, in which Silaus' remains reposed. Vari- ous privileges and possessions are conferred upon its religious, in the terms ofthatImperialcharter. Ithasbeenstated,^9thatoursaintwascanonized,7° by Pope Lucius III. ,7' at the request of the Lucca people, and of his nephew Gerard, who was Bishop over this See, in the year :^i83. Other authorities, however, such as Ughelli 7^ and Francesco Maria Fiorentmio say, that as William was Bishop of Lucca, from the year 11 75 to 1195, such a statement is inadmissible. It is quite evident, that the clergy and people of Lucca felt rejoiced in frequently recording the memory of then- patron saint, and in re- turning him homage, for tliose favours he had constantly bestowed on them. 73 It was customary, to invite many of the Lucca clergy to celebrate the solemn office of St. Silaus. 74 We are informed, likewise, that the Bishop of Lucca was memorialed, a. d. 1313,10 allow his sanction for a continuance of the ancient custom, when it was in contemplation, to introduce a rigid monastic discipHne, whereby religious women should be more effectually separated from intercommunication with persons of the other sex, in their ecclesiastical polity and arrangements. Having deputed a pious ecclesiastic to report on this matter, the established custom was allowed to continue, in full force. 75 What is rather unusual, regarding our other Irish saints, we have the effigies of St. Silausyetshown. 7^ TheBollandistsstate,thathisbody,fromtheyearofits
antiquum illud esse, cum quo conditum in-
ventumque est corpus : sed potius suspicor
seculo 12 aut 13 positum, in aliqua renova
tione ipsius tumuli, puta anno 1489, quando
curatus est loculus plumbeus. "—" Acta canonization of our saint must rather be Sanctorum," tomus v. , Maii xxi. , n. (p), pp.
66, 67.
°- See " Vita, Miracoli, e Memorie di S.
Silao Vescovo Irlarxlese," cap. xiiii.
'^3 After narrating the chief acts of our saint, the old Vita S. Sylai Episcopi, belong- ing to the convent of St. Justina, at Lucca, has a brief account of his various mira-
cles.
** See Vita ex MS. Notariali Ecclesi^ S.
Justinse Lucae, edita ab Illustriss. Francisco Maria Florentinio, sect. 8. —"ActaSancto- rum," tomus v. , Maii xxi. , p. 60.
'5 See the Italian "Vita Miracoli, e Me- morie di S. Silao Vescovo Irlandese," cap. XV.
'^^ In their Appendix to our Saint's Acts.
assumed, than proved. —See " Acta Sancto- rum," tomus v. , Maii xxi. , n. (r), p. 67.
75 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Maii xxi. Commentarius Praevius, sect. 7, p. 64. '6 Jn the Italian Life, allusion is made to an ancient image of the saint, "situata in the Emperor Otho's reign. See the Bol- mezzo ^ due Angeli nell' vrna dorata, che conteneua I'ossa del S. Vescouo. "—"Vita, Miracoli, e Memorie di S. Silao Vescovo
*7 This mandate bears date, the iv. of the August Kalends, in the year of our Lord's Incarnation 964, and during the vii. Indie- tion. It was issued in the third year of
landists' " Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Maii xxi. , sect. 12, 13, pp. 67, 68.
*^ He ruled from a. d. 936 to 973. See Sir
Irlandese," cap. xv. , p. 92.
Harris Nicolas' " Chronology of History," p. 392.
"' By Franciottus.
7° The Bollandists are of opinion, that the
'' He ruled in the chair of St. Peter, from A. D. 1181 to A. D. 1185. See Sir Nicolas Harris' " Chronology of History," p. 210.
'- When treating about the Bishops of Lucca. See " Italia Sacra," tomus i. , Lu- censes Episcopi, cols. 820, 821.
73 In the last Antiphon of the solemn Vespers for St. Silaus, these following words are found: "Felix locus, felix aula, felix civitas, in qua Christi Confessor Sylaus re- quiescit : cujus precibus sanantur debiles ci^ci visum recipiunr, paralytici curantur, languor et morbus a fidelibus protinus repellitur. "
''•This is supposed, by the Bollandists, to have been composed, at the latest, in the Thirteenth Century.
536
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 21.
first elevation, had been placed in the nave, and in the middle of the church. Perhaps, it occupied that place, where it was at first buried, the tomb having been a little elevated above the earth. From this circumstance of our saint's image having the Pallium thereon represented, some advance an opinion, that he was Archbishop, over one or other of the Archiepiscopal Sees in Ireland, viz. , Armagli, Dublin, Cashel, or Tuam.
77 This supposition must refer to that time, after the Pallium had been conceded to their respective occupants
; and, it should bring our saint's life down to the middle ages. We are fur- nished with an engraving, however, in which St. Silaus is seen clad with the Red Planeta, and with an Archiepiscopal Pallium, having an Angel on either hand. 7^ This engraving is said to represent figures, on the ancient shrine of our saint, and on occasions when it had been withdrawn from the tomb, for vene- ration by the faithful, at his festival day. With advancing time, the wooden shrine, in which our saint's remains were kept, had to be enclosed in a leaden case. On this was inscribed : " Corpus Sancti Silai Episcopi, mcccclxxxix. " But, before this occurred, the saint's arm became separated from his body. Perhaps such event happened, at the time of the first elevation. This sepa- rate portion of his remains was enclosed in a case, with an Italian inscription. It states, that within the silver repository lies the arm of St. Silaus, Bishop and Confessor, whose body reposed in St. Justina's church, and that it was thus enclosed, in the time of Sister Justina de Bandinis, who was Abbess, A. D. 1464. 79 The nuns of St. Justina's convent at length resolved, that St. Silaus' remains must be placed, in a more ornate receptacle, and
that his bones should be so arranged, that they might form an entire I connection. A medical doctor of Cremona, named Hieronymus, was em-
ployed for this purpose. Having brought the disjointed remains, to that
very chamber in which the saint departed this life, Hieronymus disposed
them in their natural position. ^" This event took place, whilst Agnes Alansi presided as Abbess. When those remains were properly adjusted, they were covered with splendid Pontifical garments, and they were placed within a precious shrine of crystal. In this manner, they were exposed tor veneration to the faithlul, on the 21st of May, a. d. 1662. This day fell on the Sunday before Pentecost. That date was assigned for the annual celebration of St. Silaus' festival. It was the day, likewise, on which our saint's feast had been kept of old, and most probably, for the reason, that it was the date for his de- parturefromthislife. ^' Thesacredrelicsofoursaintwerevisitedonthisday, by his devout clients ; and, the citizens of Lucca renewed their devotions towards him, by introducing splendid ceremonies and concerts of sacred music. Florentinius,^^ bears testimony to the religious feeling and gratitude, which inflamed his heart towards our saint, whose intercession he had favoura- bly experienced. ^3 The Bollandist writer declares, after he had left Lucca, he received a letter from this Florentinius. ^-* But, we must now draw our no-
" See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Maii A]ipendix to " Vita, Miracoli, e Memorie lii xxi. Comnientaiius Prsevius, sect. 8, S. Silao Vescovo Irlandese, pp. 119, 122. p. 64. Afterwards follows an Anagram on his Latin
7* This is represented in Francesco Maria title, '' Dominvs Hieronymvs Cremona
Fiorentini's "Vita, Miracoli, e . Memorie di
S. Silao Vescovo Irlandese," cap. xv. ,
p. 93.
'9 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
Maii xxi. Commeniarlus Prcevius, sect. 9, p. 64.
Lvcensis," which is resolved into this line, " Sylai Ossivm recentem condis honorem. " *' See Appendix, de novissima corporis elevatione. Ex It. ilico Francisci Mari. c Flo- rentimi, sect. 9. —" Acta Sanctorum," tomus
v. , Maii xxi. , p. 67.
^' lie was present on this occasion,
*' /hid. , sect. 10, p. 67.
** The writer had been treated by him,
^ Wc find an Italian sonnet of Si'j. Do-
menico Bartoii addressed to him for this
pious labour ; and another composed by Sig.
Domenito Vanni for the same reason. . See with personal hospitality. It is declared.
—
May 21. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
tices of this holy Bishop to a close ; and, although his nativity and most of his life had been in Ireland, yet little is known from domestic records regard- ing his Acts. Abroad his renown only culminated after death, and chiefly through the miracles he wrought, in the historic city of Lucca. There, our early saint chose to live, but for a short time, and to muse on the sublime pros- pects around, where beauty and fine effect are combined, in such grand natural scenery.
Article III. St. Fionnbharr, of Cork, County of Cork. But, that the present holy man is distinguished, in one of our oldest INIartyrologies, from St. Baiind, or Barrfionn, of Druimcullen—about whom we have already treated on this day—we should be inclined to suppose both identical. The name ofFinnbair, Corcaigh, occurs, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 21st
City of Cork, on the River Lee.
of May. The Bollandists follow this account, likewise, and enter him as Finbarrus Corcagiensis. ^ A Life, which may refer to the present saint, was ex- tant, according to Colgan;3 but, not having seen it, those writers would not pronounce as to the present Finnbarr or Barius having been the Bishop and PatronofCork. Thelatter,asisknown,belongedtotheseptofUi-Bruin,who
that Florentinius had again recovered his health, in a supernatural manner, by ap- proaching our saint's relics, and there offer- ing up his devotions. He states, also, that, having prayed for health to collect materials for a Life of St. Silaus, through his holy in- tercession. Florentinius felt relieved from a vertigo of the head. He was enabled to publish his projected work, written in Ita-
lian, which on being issued from the press, he transmitted for use to the Bollandists. See il'id. , sect. II, p. 67.
Article hi. — ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. XXV.
° See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Mali xxi. Among the pretermitted saints,
P-
3-
3 See " Acta Sanctorum Hibernias," xxiii.
537
538
—
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 21.
descended from Brian, brother to Niall of the Nine Hostages. At the open- ing of the River Lee—near that noble estuary which runs out towards the sea—he established a monastery. At that time, the river flowed through the centre of a plain, lying below a chain of romantic hills, and when its waters overflowed, the whole marshy * country at that place seemed like one vast lake, which was then called Loch Irc. s Now, the river has been confined to certain channels, which are enclosed by quay walls, and over the intermediate spots extend the streets of the present fine city of Cork, so favourably placed for purposes of commerce. ^ It would seem to be a probable conjecture, tiiat some feast of St. Finnbar, Patron of the city and diocese of Cork, and whose principal festival is commemorated, on the 25 th of September, had been set down, also, for observance, at this date. A festival in honour of Fionnbharr, as simply named, was celebrated on this day, as we read in the Martyrology of Donegal. 7
Article IV. St. Moinne, or jMoennenus. It is probable, an entry in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ Moenind, at this date, was intended to repre- sent the saint, somewhat differently named in a more recent Calendar. The Bollandists,^ also, quoting the Martyrology of Tallagh, enter the name Moen- ninnus, or Moenennus, at the 21st of May. It is recorded, in the
ISIartyrology of Donegal,3 that veneration was given to a St. Moinne, on this day.
Article V. St. Cuimmin, Son of Lughaidh, of Inis-mac-Ua-Dar- THADA,orDartagha. IntheMartyrologyofTallagh,^atthe21stofMay, this saint's name is simply entered Cuimmine mac Luigdeach. He is also recorded, in the Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman, at this date. ^* The Bollandists,3 in like manner, merely notice him, as Comineus filius Lugadii. According to the O'Clerys, he was son to Lughaidh, of Inis-mac-Ua- Dartadlia. We read in the Martyrology of Donegal,* also, that a festival was celebrated, on this day, in honour of this Cuimmin.
Article VI. St, Polan, said to be of Cill-Mona, said to have BEEN KiLBARRACK, CouNTY OF UuBLiN. In the Martvrolo-y of Tallagh,' this saint's name occurs, as Polan, at the 21st of May. The Bollandists, on the same authority, enter his name in their collection. ^ This saint's name is
Martii, Vita S. Mochoemoci, Abbatis, n. 14,
p. 597-
* It wasknown as Coreach-Mov-Mumhan,
Maii xxi. Among the pretermitted saints,
P- 3-
^Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
or the "Great Marsh of Munster," now 134, 135. —
abridged to Cork.
5 See Miss Mary Frances Cusack's " His-
tory of the City and County of Cork," cliap. iii. , pi>. 33, 38.
" The accompnnving ilhistration, drawn
on the wood by William F. Wakcman from
a photoj^raph, lias been engraved l>y Mrs. ]\Laii xxi. Among the pretermitted saints, Millard. The view presented is Si. Patrick's
Bridge, widi the buildings adjoining it, and
St. Patrick's Quay below it, opening towards
Cove.
^ Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, p. xxv.
pp. 134, 135.
Article iv—' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly,
p. xxv.
=• See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
" See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Maii xxi. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 3-
^ See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
Article v. ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxv.
* See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nix," xiii. Januarii. De S. Cumiano Epis- copo Bobii Sepulto, n. 6, p. 59.
^ See ''Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
p. 3.
•• Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
134, 135. — Ar 1 ICLE VI.
' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly,
—7
May 2i] lives OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
confounded with Paul. 3 Wonderful things are related, regarding a holy her- mit of this name ;* and, it seems not unlikely, some of those incidents could Just as well apply to the present holy man. However, we must refer the reader to what has been stated of Paul the solitary, in the celebrated voyage of St. Brendan. s There is a Cill-mona, now written Kilmona, in the parish of Rahugh, in the county of Westmeath. It is noted in the Annals of the Four Masters,^ at a. d. 1382, as being eastward from Rath-Aedha-mic Brie. Cill-Mona is said to have been another name for Kilbarrack, near Howth, in the county of Dublin.
ArticleVII. St. Colman,Lobhar,ortheLeper,ofMagh-n-ec- ORMoYNE,CountyofClare. Inthe"Feilire"ofSt. ^ngus,thefestival of " zealous Colman, a leper," is mentioned at this date;' and, therefore we may infer, that he flourished, at an early period, in the Irish church. His office is not known. The Martyrology of Tallagh ^ registers this name, at the2istofMay. HisplaceiscalledMaigheEo. TheBollandists3 havea festival for Colmanus leprosus de Magh-eo, on the same authority ; but, as they allege, little more can they find regarding him, except that Colgan 4 re- fers Colmanus Lobhar 5 and his feast to this date. Muighe-Eo—which was inDal-Cais^—mustbedistinguishedfromMayo,inConnaught.
5' This was dedicated to the holy Virgin
and Martyr, St. Justina. This convent is
known to have existed from 964. In it, Ar-
mingardus, the daughter of King Lothaire,
led a religious life, and there too was she
buried, as her epitaph proves. In the year
1015, it was called the Monastery of Our that it is "a mixture of the heavy Saxon Saviour; but, soon after this period it was style, as we are pleased to call it, and the called the Nunnery of St. Justina, whose light arabesque. "—" A Classical Tour head was brought thither, and perhaps a new through Italy, An. mdcccii. ," vol. iii. , church had been built in her honour. chap, xii. , p. 435.
5= The Rule of St. Benedict, who departed ss See Vita ex MS. Notariali Ecclesise S.
chap, ii. , pp. 42 to 74.
53 See Vita ex MS. Notariali Ecclesise S.
Justince Liicoe, edita ab IlUistriss. Francisco Maria Florentinio, sect. 5. —" Acta Sancto- rum," tomus v. , Mali xxi. , p. 65.
54 it was erected in the eleventh century, The Rev. John Chetwode Eustace remarks,
534
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 21.
to the Almight}', for her happy departure's He then set out for Rome, and on his return took sick. His brother-in-law at Lucca received him, however, with his accustomed kindness. The saint was already distinguished, for several miracles he wrought, in favour of the sick, many of whom were healed from various diseases, and even solely, by drinking water, in which he had washed his hands. 5^ The day of our saint's death being now at hand, Silaus desired, that he might be brought to the oratory of St. Justina ; here after a few days, his blessed spirit departed to those mansions of bliss, in which he fondly hoped to rejoin his beloved sister. The year of his demise is not recorded.
His body was interred with due honour, within the church of St. Justina's convent. Afterwards, the fame of his sanctity became so great, that multi- tudes of sick and infirm came—not only from neighbouring but even from remote places—to be relieved, through his intercession, from various diseases. Largesses and oblations were bestowed by them and others, on that church, inwhichtheremainsofoursaintreposed. Theseofferings,however,inflamed the avaricious desires of Soffredus. He imagined himself justly entitled to a portion of them, because of the sacrifices he had made on behalf of his wife, and of that convent into which she retired. He obliged its religious inmates to return a third part of those oblations they received. This agreement they were obliged to subscribe in writing; but, the Almighty signified his dis- pleasure, at such a proceeding, and in a miraculous manner. For, our saint appeared to a nun, named Lugitha, complaining, that he was subjected to unjust restrictions. He threatened a withdrawal of the grace accorded for working miracles, until such agreement should be annulled. We are left ignorant regarding the result, as the remaining portion of this narrative appears tohavebeendestroyed. However,itistobeinferred,thatmiraclesafterwards ceased, because Soffredus refused to annul his unjust demands. -^7 When such manifestations had lapsed, at the tomb of our saint, according to his prediction; not only the fame of his sanctity became restricted, but even the very spot for his sepulture was forgotten. Yet, to many holy nuns and to other persons specially favoured, the place of his burial had been frequently revealed in visions. In the year of our Lord 1180,=^ on the iii. of the December Nones, the exact spot of our saint's sepulture was revealed to the Abbess C0ecilia,59 to some of her nuns, and to other persons. A mistake has been admitted, by a Notary, or scribe, called Carolus de Ciuffariniis, who has written the Nones of December, while incorrectly transcribing the old Manuscript. ^ After offering up prayers, that place was dug, when the body of Silaus was discovered. The explorers found it enclosed in a tomb. On this were in- scribed these words : " Divi Silai corpus, qui in Hibernia Episcopus fait, summo veneratione hoc sepulchro conditum, ob prsecipua miracula religiosis- sime custoditur. "^' The body was transferred to a position it formerly occu-
Justinre Lucse, eclita ab Illustriss. Francesco Maria Fiorentinio, sect. 6. —" Acta Sancto- rum," tomusv. , Maii xxi. , p. 65.
5* See "Vita, Miracoli, e Memorie di S. Silao Vescovo Irlandese," &c. , cap. x. , p. 68.
57 See Vita ex MS. Notariali Ecclesire S. Justinas Luca', tdita ab lilustiiss. Francisco Maria Fiorentinio, sect. 7. —"Acta Sancto- rum," tomus v. , Maii xxi. , ]5p. 65, 66.
S9 Francesco Maria Fiorentinio collects from the Arcliives of the Nunnery, that the name of Cecilia occurs, from a. d. 1175. to A. n. 1181, when Basilia Abbatissa is found substituted.
^ The Bollandists remark, "in zyfras vertens qua; hauil dubie Romanis nnmeris scripta inilia fucrant. " See " Ada Sancto- rum," lomus v. , Maii xxi. , n. (o), p. 66.
"' This Epitaph, which is not given in the Saint's Life, but, which appears to have been added by ascribe, is supposed by the
s^Cassar Fiancioltuswriitea learned Trea-
tise on the Diocese, Churches, Saints and
Blessed Persons connected with Lucca. He Boll. andists, to have been the work ol a later reads the passage thus and correctly. period. They say, " Vix autem credere
May 21. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
535
pied—near the Altar of the Holy Cross—and with all due veneration. The nuns afterwards petitioned the grandson of Soffredus,who was named Lothaire, to rescind his progenitor's unjust requirements. ^^ To this reasonable request, Lothaireagreed; whenmiracleswereagainwrought,^3atthetombofSilaus. ^* After their discovery of our saint's relics, the religious women of St. Justina applied themselves to ornament the church, in which his body reposed. ^5 New altars were erected and marble slabs were employed, in decorating its interior. The BoUandists ^"^ subjoin a decree ^7 of the Emperor, Otho the Great,^^ in favour of that monastery, in which Silaus' remains reposed. Vari- ous privileges and possessions are conferred upon its religious, in the terms ofthatImperialcharter. Ithasbeenstated,^9thatoursaintwascanonized,7° by Pope Lucius III. ,7' at the request of the Lucca people, and of his nephew Gerard, who was Bishop over this See, in the year :^i83. Other authorities, however, such as Ughelli 7^ and Francesco Maria Fiorentmio say, that as William was Bishop of Lucca, from the year 11 75 to 1195, such a statement is inadmissible. It is quite evident, that the clergy and people of Lucca felt rejoiced in frequently recording the memory of then- patron saint, and in re- turning him homage, for tliose favours he had constantly bestowed on them. 73 It was customary, to invite many of the Lucca clergy to celebrate the solemn office of St. Silaus. 74 We are informed, likewise, that the Bishop of Lucca was memorialed, a. d. 1313,10 allow his sanction for a continuance of the ancient custom, when it was in contemplation, to introduce a rigid monastic discipHne, whereby religious women should be more effectually separated from intercommunication with persons of the other sex, in their ecclesiastical polity and arrangements. Having deputed a pious ecclesiastic to report on this matter, the established custom was allowed to continue, in full force. 75 What is rather unusual, regarding our other Irish saints, we have the effigies of St. Silausyetshown. 7^ TheBollandistsstate,thathisbody,fromtheyearofits
antiquum illud esse, cum quo conditum in-
ventumque est corpus : sed potius suspicor
seculo 12 aut 13 positum, in aliqua renova
tione ipsius tumuli, puta anno 1489, quando
curatus est loculus plumbeus. "—" Acta canonization of our saint must rather be Sanctorum," tomus v. , Maii xxi. , n. (p), pp.
66, 67.
°- See " Vita, Miracoli, e Memorie di S.
Silao Vescovo Irlarxlese," cap. xiiii.
'^3 After narrating the chief acts of our saint, the old Vita S. Sylai Episcopi, belong- ing to the convent of St. Justina, at Lucca, has a brief account of his various mira-
cles.
** See Vita ex MS. Notariali Ecclesi^ S.
Justinse Lucae, edita ab Illustriss. Francisco Maria Florentinio, sect. 8. —"ActaSancto- rum," tomus v. , Maii xxi. , p. 60.
'5 See the Italian "Vita Miracoli, e Me- morie di S. Silao Vescovo Irlandese," cap. XV.
'^^ In their Appendix to our Saint's Acts.
assumed, than proved. —See " Acta Sancto- rum," tomus v. , Maii xxi. , n. (r), p. 67.
75 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Maii xxi. Commentarius Praevius, sect. 7, p. 64. '6 Jn the Italian Life, allusion is made to an ancient image of the saint, "situata in the Emperor Otho's reign. See the Bol- mezzo ^ due Angeli nell' vrna dorata, che conteneua I'ossa del S. Vescouo. "—"Vita, Miracoli, e Memorie di S. Silao Vescovo
*7 This mandate bears date, the iv. of the August Kalends, in the year of our Lord's Incarnation 964, and during the vii. Indie- tion. It was issued in the third year of
landists' " Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Maii xxi. , sect. 12, 13, pp. 67, 68.
*^ He ruled from a. d. 936 to 973. See Sir
Irlandese," cap. xv. , p. 92.
Harris Nicolas' " Chronology of History," p. 392.
"' By Franciottus.
7° The Bollandists are of opinion, that the
'' He ruled in the chair of St. Peter, from A. D. 1181 to A. D. 1185. See Sir Nicolas Harris' " Chronology of History," p. 210.
'- When treating about the Bishops of Lucca. See " Italia Sacra," tomus i. , Lu- censes Episcopi, cols. 820, 821.
73 In the last Antiphon of the solemn Vespers for St. Silaus, these following words are found: "Felix locus, felix aula, felix civitas, in qua Christi Confessor Sylaus re- quiescit : cujus precibus sanantur debiles ci^ci visum recipiunr, paralytici curantur, languor et morbus a fidelibus protinus repellitur. "
''•This is supposed, by the Bollandists, to have been composed, at the latest, in the Thirteenth Century.
536
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 21.
first elevation, had been placed in the nave, and in the middle of the church. Perhaps, it occupied that place, where it was at first buried, the tomb having been a little elevated above the earth. From this circumstance of our saint's image having the Pallium thereon represented, some advance an opinion, that he was Archbishop, over one or other of the Archiepiscopal Sees in Ireland, viz. , Armagli, Dublin, Cashel, or Tuam.
77 This supposition must refer to that time, after the Pallium had been conceded to their respective occupants
; and, it should bring our saint's life down to the middle ages. We are fur- nished with an engraving, however, in which St. Silaus is seen clad with the Red Planeta, and with an Archiepiscopal Pallium, having an Angel on either hand. 7^ This engraving is said to represent figures, on the ancient shrine of our saint, and on occasions when it had been withdrawn from the tomb, for vene- ration by the faithful, at his festival day. With advancing time, the wooden shrine, in which our saint's remains were kept, had to be enclosed in a leaden case. On this was inscribed : " Corpus Sancti Silai Episcopi, mcccclxxxix. " But, before this occurred, the saint's arm became separated from his body. Perhaps such event happened, at the time of the first elevation. This sepa- rate portion of his remains was enclosed in a case, with an Italian inscription. It states, that within the silver repository lies the arm of St. Silaus, Bishop and Confessor, whose body reposed in St. Justina's church, and that it was thus enclosed, in the time of Sister Justina de Bandinis, who was Abbess, A. D. 1464. 79 The nuns of St. Justina's convent at length resolved, that St. Silaus' remains must be placed, in a more ornate receptacle, and
that his bones should be so arranged, that they might form an entire I connection. A medical doctor of Cremona, named Hieronymus, was em-
ployed for this purpose. Having brought the disjointed remains, to that
very chamber in which the saint departed this life, Hieronymus disposed
them in their natural position. ^" This event took place, whilst Agnes Alansi presided as Abbess. When those remains were properly adjusted, they were covered with splendid Pontifical garments, and they were placed within a precious shrine of crystal. In this manner, they were exposed tor veneration to the faithlul, on the 21st of May, a. d. 1662. This day fell on the Sunday before Pentecost. That date was assigned for the annual celebration of St. Silaus' festival. It was the day, likewise, on which our saint's feast had been kept of old, and most probably, for the reason, that it was the date for his de- parturefromthislife. ^' Thesacredrelicsofoursaintwerevisitedonthisday, by his devout clients ; and, the citizens of Lucca renewed their devotions towards him, by introducing splendid ceremonies and concerts of sacred music. Florentinius,^^ bears testimony to the religious feeling and gratitude, which inflamed his heart towards our saint, whose intercession he had favoura- bly experienced. ^3 The Bollandist writer declares, after he had left Lucca, he received a letter from this Florentinius. ^-* But, we must now draw our no-
" See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Maii A]ipendix to " Vita, Miracoli, e Memorie lii xxi. Comnientaiius Prsevius, sect. 8, S. Silao Vescovo Irlandese, pp. 119, 122. p. 64. Afterwards follows an Anagram on his Latin
7* This is represented in Francesco Maria title, '' Dominvs Hieronymvs Cremona
Fiorentini's "Vita, Miracoli, e . Memorie di
S. Silao Vescovo Irlandese," cap. xv. ,
p. 93.
'9 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
Maii xxi. Commeniarlus Prcevius, sect. 9, p. 64.
Lvcensis," which is resolved into this line, " Sylai Ossivm recentem condis honorem. " *' See Appendix, de novissima corporis elevatione. Ex It. ilico Francisci Mari. c Flo- rentimi, sect. 9. —" Acta Sanctorum," tomus
v. , Maii xxi. , p. 67.
^' lie was present on this occasion,
*' /hid. , sect. 10, p. 67.
** The writer had been treated by him,
^ Wc find an Italian sonnet of Si'j. Do-
menico Bartoii addressed to him for this
pious labour ; and another composed by Sig.
Domenito Vanni for the same reason. . See with personal hospitality. It is declared.
—
May 21. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
tices of this holy Bishop to a close ; and, although his nativity and most of his life had been in Ireland, yet little is known from domestic records regard- ing his Acts. Abroad his renown only culminated after death, and chiefly through the miracles he wrought, in the historic city of Lucca. There, our early saint chose to live, but for a short time, and to muse on the sublime pros- pects around, where beauty and fine effect are combined, in such grand natural scenery.
Article III. St. Fionnbharr, of Cork, County of Cork. But, that the present holy man is distinguished, in one of our oldest INIartyrologies, from St. Baiind, or Barrfionn, of Druimcullen—about whom we have already treated on this day—we should be inclined to suppose both identical. The name ofFinnbair, Corcaigh, occurs, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 21st
City of Cork, on the River Lee.
of May. The Bollandists follow this account, likewise, and enter him as Finbarrus Corcagiensis. ^ A Life, which may refer to the present saint, was ex- tant, according to Colgan;3 but, not having seen it, those writers would not pronounce as to the present Finnbarr or Barius having been the Bishop and PatronofCork. Thelatter,asisknown,belongedtotheseptofUi-Bruin,who
that Florentinius had again recovered his health, in a supernatural manner, by ap- proaching our saint's relics, and there offer- ing up his devotions. He states, also, that, having prayed for health to collect materials for a Life of St. Silaus, through his holy in- tercession. Florentinius felt relieved from a vertigo of the head. He was enabled to publish his projected work, written in Ita-
lian, which on being issued from the press, he transmitted for use to the Bollandists. See il'id. , sect. II, p. 67.
Article hi. — ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. XXV.
° See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Mali xxi. Among the pretermitted saints,
P-
3-
3 See " Acta Sanctorum Hibernias," xxiii.
537
538
—
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 21.
descended from Brian, brother to Niall of the Nine Hostages. At the open- ing of the River Lee—near that noble estuary which runs out towards the sea—he established a monastery. At that time, the river flowed through the centre of a plain, lying below a chain of romantic hills, and when its waters overflowed, the whole marshy * country at that place seemed like one vast lake, which was then called Loch Irc. s Now, the river has been confined to certain channels, which are enclosed by quay walls, and over the intermediate spots extend the streets of the present fine city of Cork, so favourably placed for purposes of commerce. ^ It would seem to be a probable conjecture, tiiat some feast of St. Finnbar, Patron of the city and diocese of Cork, and whose principal festival is commemorated, on the 25 th of September, had been set down, also, for observance, at this date. A festival in honour of Fionnbharr, as simply named, was celebrated on this day, as we read in the Martyrology of Donegal. 7
Article IV. St. Moinne, or jMoennenus. It is probable, an entry in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ Moenind, at this date, was intended to repre- sent the saint, somewhat differently named in a more recent Calendar. The Bollandists,^ also, quoting the Martyrology of Tallagh, enter the name Moen- ninnus, or Moenennus, at the 21st of May. It is recorded, in the
ISIartyrology of Donegal,3 that veneration was given to a St. Moinne, on this day.
Article V. St. Cuimmin, Son of Lughaidh, of Inis-mac-Ua-Dar- THADA,orDartagha. IntheMartyrologyofTallagh,^atthe21stofMay, this saint's name is simply entered Cuimmine mac Luigdeach. He is also recorded, in the Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman, at this date. ^* The Bollandists,3 in like manner, merely notice him, as Comineus filius Lugadii. According to the O'Clerys, he was son to Lughaidh, of Inis-mac-Ua- Dartadlia. We read in the Martyrology of Donegal,* also, that a festival was celebrated, on this day, in honour of this Cuimmin.
Article VI. St, Polan, said to be of Cill-Mona, said to have BEEN KiLBARRACK, CouNTY OF UuBLiN. In the Martvrolo-y of Tallagh,' this saint's name occurs, as Polan, at the 21st of May. The Bollandists, on the same authority, enter his name in their collection. ^ This saint's name is
Martii, Vita S. Mochoemoci, Abbatis, n. 14,
p. 597-
* It wasknown as Coreach-Mov-Mumhan,
Maii xxi. Among the pretermitted saints,
P- 3-
^Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
or the "Great Marsh of Munster," now 134, 135. —
abridged to Cork.
5 See Miss Mary Frances Cusack's " His-
tory of the City and County of Cork," cliap. iii. , pi>. 33, 38.
" The accompnnving ilhistration, drawn
on the wood by William F. Wakcman from
a photoj^raph, lias been engraved l>y Mrs. ]\Laii xxi. Among the pretermitted saints, Millard. The view presented is Si. Patrick's
Bridge, widi the buildings adjoining it, and
St. Patrick's Quay below it, opening towards
Cove.
^ Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, p. xxv.
pp. 134, 135.
Article iv—' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly,
p. xxv.
=• See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
" See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Maii xxi. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 3-
^ See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
Article v. ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxv.
* See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nix," xiii. Januarii. De S. Cumiano Epis- copo Bobii Sepulto, n. 6, p. 59.
^ See ''Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
p. 3.
•• Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
134, 135. — Ar 1 ICLE VI.
' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly,
—7
May 2i] lives OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
confounded with Paul. 3 Wonderful things are related, regarding a holy her- mit of this name ;* and, it seems not unlikely, some of those incidents could Just as well apply to the present holy man. However, we must refer the reader to what has been stated of Paul the solitary, in the celebrated voyage of St. Brendan. s There is a Cill-mona, now written Kilmona, in the parish of Rahugh, in the county of Westmeath. It is noted in the Annals of the Four Masters,^ at a. d. 1382, as being eastward from Rath-Aedha-mic Brie. Cill-Mona is said to have been another name for Kilbarrack, near Howth, in the county of Dublin.
ArticleVII. St. Colman,Lobhar,ortheLeper,ofMagh-n-ec- ORMoYNE,CountyofClare. Inthe"Feilire"ofSt. ^ngus,thefestival of " zealous Colman, a leper," is mentioned at this date;' and, therefore we may infer, that he flourished, at an early period, in the Irish church. His office is not known. The Martyrology of Tallagh ^ registers this name, at the2istofMay. HisplaceiscalledMaigheEo. TheBollandists3 havea festival for Colmanus leprosus de Magh-eo, on the same authority ; but, as they allege, little more can they find regarding him, except that Colgan 4 re- fers Colmanus Lobhar 5 and his feast to this date. Muighe-Eo—which was inDal-Cais^—mustbedistinguishedfromMayo,inConnaught.
