The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Most Ancient Lives of Saint Patrick, by Various, Edited by James O'Leary

Title: The Most Ancient Lives of Saint Patrick

Including the Life by Jocelin, Hitherto Unpublished in America, and His Extant Writings

Author: Various

Editor: James O'Leary

Release Date: June 1, 2006 [eBook #18482]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1

***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOST ANCIENT LIVES OF SAINT PATRICK***

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THE MOST ANCIENT

LIVES OF SAINT PATRICK;

INCLUDING

THE LIFE BY JOCELIN,

HITHERTO UNPUBLISHED IN AMERICA,

AND

HIS EXTANT WRITINGS.

Illustrated with the Most Ancient Engravings
OF OUR GREAT NATIONAL SAINT;

WITH A PREFACE AND CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.

BY

REV. JAMES O'LEARY, D.D.

FIFTH EDITION.

NEW YORK:
P. J. KENEDY, No. 5 BARCLAY STREET.
1880.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by
P. J. KENEDY,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.

TO THE
RIGHT REV. T. W. CROKE, D.D.,
Bishop of Auckland, New Zealand,
HOPING THAT HE MAY YET BE SET DOWN AS
The St. Patrick of New Zealand,
FROM HIS FORMER PUPIL, COLABORER, AND COMPANION,
J. O'LEARY.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface

The Confession of St. Patrick

St. Patrick's Epistle to Coroticus

St. Fiech's Metrical Life of St. Patrick

Tripartite Life: Part I

Tripartite Life: Part II

Tripartite Life: Part III

The Proeme of Jocelyn

The Life and Acts of St. Patrick by Jocelin

class="pginternal" tag="{http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml}a">How Saint Patrick was Carried into Ireland. XIV   Of Milcho's Dream, and of its Interpretation. XV   Of the Angel Victor appearing to Saint Patrick. XVI   How St. Patrick was Redeemed from Slavery. XVII   How he Relieved those who were Perishing of Hunger. XVIII   Of his Fast continued for Twenty Days. XIX   How he Overcame the Temptation of the Enemy. XX   How he was again made Captive, and released by the Miracle of the Kettle. XXI   Of Saint Patrick's Vision. XXII   How he dwelt with the blessed Germanus, and how he received the Habit from Saint Martin. XXIII   Of the Flesh-meat changed into Fishes. XXIV   How in his Journey to Rome he Found the Staff of Jesus. XXV   How he Journeyed unto Rome, and was made a Bishop; and of Palladius, the Legate of Ireland. XXVI   How he Saw and Saluted the Lord. XXVII   Of the Miraculous Voyage of the Leper. XXVIII   How he beheld Devils. XXIX   Of the River sentenced to perpetual Sterility. XXX   How the Dry Land was turned into a Marsh. XXXI   Of his coming into Ulidia, and of the Prophecy of the Magicians on his coming. XXXII   How a Fierce Dog was suddenly Tamed; of the Conversion of Dichu; and how a Fountain rose out of the Earth. XXXIII   Of the Evil-doer Swallowed up by the Earth. XXXIV   Of the Aged Man restored unto his Youth. XXXV   Of the Death of Rius. XXXVI   Of the Death of Milcho. XXXVII   Of the Holy Mochna. XXXVIII   Of the Hostages of Dichu which were Freed by an Angel. XXXIX   Of Saint Benignus, and of the Prophecy which was made of him. XL   The Fire that was Lighted by Patrick. XLI   Of the Holy Man

named Hercus. XLII   How the Magician was Destroyed. XLIII   Of the Miraculous but Terrible Rescue of Saint Patrick. XLIV   How the Saint Escaped the Deadly Snares. XLV   Of the Poison mingled in the Wine. XLVI   Of the Fantastic Snow. XLVII   How the Darkness was Dispersed. XLVIII   How the Magician and his Garment were consumed, and Benignus and the Garment of St. Patrick preserved unhurt. XLIX   Of Many who were Swallowed up by the Earth, and how the rest were Converted unto God. L   Of the Sisters and the Nephews of St. Patrick. LI   How Saint Lumanus Sailed against the Wind and the Stream. LII   How Forkernus and his Parents were Converted and Baptized. LIII   Of the Prophecy of St. Patrick on Coyrbre, and of the Unfruitfulness of a River. LIV   Of Conallus, and of the Prophecy of Patrick concerning him. LV   Of the Altar of Saint Patrick. LVI   Of the Images destroyed from Heaven, and of the Fountain produced from the Earth. LVII   How the Darkness was Dispersed. LVIII   Of the Virgins who went unto Heaven. LIX   Of the Magician Struck by Lightning, and of Twelve Thousand Men Converted unto Christ. LX   Of another Magician whom the Earth swallowed up. LXI   How another Magician is Sunken up to the Ears, and again is Raised up. LXII   How a huge Stone was raised by the Saint. LXIII   How the Women were raised from Death. LXIV   Two Women who were pregnant are with their Infants rescued from Death unto Life. LXV   How he builded a Church of Clay alone. LXVI   Of the two Rivers, Dubh and Drobhaois. LXVII   Of the Voice that issued from the Sepulchre. LXVIII   Of his Journey, and of his manifold Miracles. LXIX  

tag="{http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml}a">The Prophecy of the Saint Concerning Dublinia; and the Sick Man cured. LXX   A Fountain is produced out of the Earth. LXXI   The Dead are raised up; the King and the People are converted; a Fountain is produced, and Tribute promised. LXXII   Of the Sentence pronounced on Murinus. LXXIII   Foylge is punished with a double Death, and the deceiving Fiend is driven out of his body. LXXIV   Of the Saint's Prophecy concerning the Kings of Momonia. LXXV   How Dercardius and his Companions were destroyed. LXXVI   Of the Quarrel of the Two Brothers. LXXVII   Fourteen Thousand Men are miraculously refreshed with the Meat of Five Animals. LXXVIII   Nineteen Men are raised by Saint Patrick from the Dead. LXXIX   The King's Daughter becomes a Nun. LXXX   The King Echu is raised from Death. LXXXI   A Man of Gigantic Stature is revived from Death. LXXXII   Of Another Man who was Buried and Raised Again. LXXXIII   Of the Boy who was torn in pieces by Swine and restored unto Life. LXXXIV   The Prayers of the Saint confer Beauty on an Ugly Man. LXXXV   The Stature of the same Man is increased unto a sufficient Height. LXXXVI   Of Saint Olcanus, the Teacher and Bishop, raised out of the Earth. LXXXVII   How the Tooth of Saint Patrick shone in the River. LXXXVIII   The Saint Prophesieth of the Virgin Treha, and a Veil is placed on her Head by an Angel. LXXXIX   Saint Patrick Prophesieth of the Sanctity of Saint Columba. XC   The River is Divided in Twain, and Blessed. XCI   The Prophecy that Patrick made unto Connedus. XCII   Of Mannia and the other Islands Converted unto God. XCIII   Of the Saint's Prophecy concerning Six Priests, and of a Skin which he bestowed to them. XCIV   Saint Patrick Continueth his Preaching Three Days. XCV   Of the Vision of the Blessed Brigida, and its Explanation. XCVI   Of the Angels of God, of

the Heavenly Light, and of the Prophecy of Saint Patrick. XCVII   The Temptation of the Nun is Subdued. XCVIII   Of Saint Comhgallus, and the Monastery foreshowed of Heaven. XCIX   The Saint Prophesieth of the Obstinate Fergus and of his Children. C   The Malediction of the Saint is laid upon the Stones of Usniach. CI   Of the Woman in Travail, and of her Offspring. CII   The Bishop Saint Mel catcheth Fishes on the Dry Land. CIII   The Footprints of Certain Virgins are impressed on a Stone. CIV   The Earth is raised in the midst of the Stream. CV   Of the Altar and the Four Chalices discovered under the Earth. CVI   A Treasure is Twice discovered in the Earth by Swine. CVII   Saint Patrick prophesieth of the two Brothers. CVIII   The Penitence of Asycus the Bishop. CIX   The Tempest of the Sea is Composed. CX   The Miracle of the Waters is Repeated. CXI   Of the Cowl of Saint Patrick which remained untouched by the Sea. CXII   Of the Veil that was sent from Heaven. CXIII   Of the Holy Leper, of the New Fountain, of the Angelic Attendance, and the Prophecy of Patrick thereon. CXIV   Of the Lake which was removed by Saint Patrick. CXV   Patrick understandeth the Conscience of Saint Fiechus, and blesseth him. CXVI   The Chariot is, by the Decision of the Angel, sent unto Fiechus. CXVII   The Several Offices of a certain Monastery are appointed by an Angel. CXVIII   The Prophecy of Saint Patrick concerning the Men of Callria. CXIX   Certain Cheeses are converted into Stones, and many Wicked Men are drowned. CXX   Of the Pitfalls passed over without danger, and the Prophecies of the Saint. CXXI   The Prophecy of the Saint on a Certain Village. CXXII   The Sentence prophetically declared. CXXIII   The Prophecy of the Saint on a Certain Bishop and on the one who consecrated him. CXXIV  

align="left" valign="top">The Blind Man is restored to Sight; from him who seeeth is Sight taken; and three are relieved of Lameness. CXXV   Nine Evil-doers are consumed by Fire from Heaven, and a Fountain is produced out of the Earth. CXXVI   Another Magician is in like manner Consumed. CXXVII   A Grove is cursed by the Saint. CXXVIII   The Sentence pronounced by the Saint on his Deceivers. CXXIX   A Mountain is swallowed up in the Earth, and again it is raised. CXXX   Euchodius is cursed by the Saint, and his Son is blessed. CXXXI   Of Saint Sennachus the Bishop. CXXXII   The Miracle which is worked for Certain Hewers of Wood. CXXXIII   A Hone is divided by Saint Patrick, and the Oppressor is drowned. CXXXIV   An Angel foretelleth to Patrick of Saint Moccheus. CXXXV   The Sentence pronounced by Patrick on Moccheus. CXXXVI   The Saint prophesieth of two Brothers, and a Fountain is produced out of the Earth. CXXXVII   The Saint Prophesieth of a Certain Youth. CXXXVIII   Of Conallus and of his Shield. CXXXIX   A Heavenly Light shineth around Saint Patrick, and Victor is converted unto the Faith. CXL   A Certain Cymbal of Saint Patrick is lost and found again. CXLI   The Obedience of Saint Volchanus. CXLII   Of Saint Rodanus, the Herdsman of Patrick. CXLIII   Of Saint Kertennus, the Bishop of Clochor. CXLIV   Of a Boy who was blessed by Saint Patrick. CXLV   Of a Woman who was raised from Death. CXLVI   The Testimony of One who was revived from Death. CXLVII   The Cross that was not observed; and the Voice which issued from the Sepulchre. CXLVIII   A Goat bleateth in the Stomach of a Thief. CXLIX   Of the Cloaks which fell from Heaven. CL   A wicked Tyrant is transformed into a Fox. CLI   The wicked

Man Machaldus and his Companions are converted unto the Faith. CLII   The Penitence of Machaldus. CLIII   A Meadow is overflowed by the Sea. CLIV   A Stone is changed into Milk, and Milk is changed into Stones. CLV   A Wagon laden with Twigs is saved from the Fire. CLVI   The Saint is preserved untouched from the falling Rain. CLVII   The Fingers of Saint Patrick shine with Light. CLVIII   Fire is also seen to issue from his Mouth. CLIX   The holy Virgin Memhessa departeth unto God. CLX   Of the Work which was done in the Lord's Day. CLXI   A certain Man is healed, and a Horse revived, in a place which is called Feart. CLXII   Of the Vessel which was given unto Saint Patrick, and again taken from him. CLXIII   Ardmachia is given unto Saint Patrick; and a Fountain is produced out of the Earth. CLXIV   The Saint beholdeth a Vision of Angels, and cureth Sixteen Lepers. CLXV   Of the City of Ardmachia, and Twelve of its Citizens. CLXVI   At the Direction of the Angels Saint Patrick goeth unto Rome. CLXVII   The Acts of Saint Patrick while returning from Rome. CLXVIII   The Acts of St. Patrick after he had Returned. CLXIX   Of the Threefold Plagues of Hibernia. CLXX   The Threefold Plague is driven out of Hibernia by Saint Patrick. CLXXI   Without Earthly Food the Saint completeth a Fast of Forty Days. CLXXII   He banisheth the Demons forth of the Island. CLXXIII   Troops of Angels appear unto the Saint. CLXXIV   The Saint titheth Hibernia and the Dwellers therein. CLXXV   The different States of Hibernia are in a Heavenly Vision shown unto the Saint. CLXXVI   The Answer of Saint Patrick to Secundinus. CLXXVII   Secundinus composeth a Hymn in Honor of Saint Patrick. CLXXVIII   The Soul of a Certain Sinner is by Saint Patrick freed from Demons. CLXXIX  

href="@public@vhost@g@gutenberg@html@files@18482@[email protected]#chap6179" class="pginternal" tag="{http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml}a">How the Saint appeared unto Colmanus while singing his Hymn. CLXXX   The Admirable Contemplations of the Saint. CLXXXI   Saint Patrick beholdeth the Souls of the Rich and of the poor Man sent unto different Places. CLXXXII   Saint Vinvaloeus is miraculously stayed by Saint Patrick from his purposed Journey. CLXXXIII   The Daily Prayers and Genuflexions of the Saint. CLXXXIV   How he passed the Night Season. CLXXXV   The Habit, the Bearing, and the Acts of Saint Patrick. CLXXXVI   Of the Sick whom he healed, and the Dead whom he raised; and of his Disciples who recorded his Acts. CLXXXVII   The Angelic Voice showeth unto Saint Patrick of his Death and of the Place of his Burial. CLXXXVIII   The Place of his Sepulture is foreshown by a Light from Heaven. CLXXXIX   Saint Brigida bringeth unto Saint Patrick the Garment which was to enshroud his Body. CXC   The Death of Saint Patrick. CXCI   The Number of the Years of his Life. CXCII   The Funeral Honors which Men and Angels paid unto the Body of the Saint. CXCIII   The Light continueth for Twelve Days. CXCIV   The Miraculous Rising of the Sea between the Contending People. CXCV   Two Wains appear, the which are sent by a Miracle. CXCVI   The Sepulture of Saint Patrick in the City of Dunum.

A Chronological Table to the Lives of St. Patrick

ILLUSTRATIONS

Images of Saint Columba, Saint Patrick, and Saint Brigida,
Taken from the Spicilegium Sanctorum, and engraven at Paris,
A.D. 1629, by Messingham. . . . . . . Frontispiece

The Saint Patrick of Ancient Ages

The Saint Patrick of Medieval Times

The Saint Patrick of Our Own Century

PREFACE.

The present volume has three objects in view: first, to present the life of Saint Patrick without writing a history of the national church which he founded or introducing irrelevant matter; secondly, to place his life and character before the reader as they have been handed down to us in the most ancient extant documents, without overcoating or withholding anything in the originals; and, thirdly, to deliver to the public at as low a price as possible the original documents grouped together.

At first I had intended to present the Seven Lives of St. Patrick as published by Colgan; but, to my knowledge, there is no copy of the Acta Triadis Thaumaturgae in this country, and the four lives which I have omitted—that is, by Benignus, Patrick Junior, Eiselan the Wise, and Probus—are of little consequence. The metrical life by St. Fiech is undoubtedly the most ancient and the most removed from saintly imaginings of miracles. The other two, that by Saint MacEvin and that by Jocelin, appear to have been elaborate compendiums of stories written in antecedent ages, and extant in their time, concerning Saint Patrick. Of the life by Saint Fiech I have made a rude translation corresponding with the original; of the Tripartite I have given Professor Hennessy's version; and of the extraordinary biography by Jocelin

I reproduce, for the first time in this country, the rendering from Colgan by Mr. Swift, as published by the Hibernia Press Company, at Dublin, in 1809. Colgan's Latin version of the Life of Saint Patrick by Jocelin is given by the Bollandists, and may be seen in many libraries in this country; but the original Lives, as published at Louvain, are at the Irish College in Rome and at Trinity College, Dublin. A copy may be found elsewhere, but, if so, it is exceedingly valuable, forasmuch as it is exceedingly rare. The Life of Saint Patrick by Saint Fiech will convey an estimate of his character about the time of his death; the Tripartite life by Saint MacEvin will probably impart the notions of the eighth century; and the life by Jocelin will communicate the exaggerations of mediaeval times in the twelfth century. The public will thus have fairly placed before them the thoughts of ages about Saint Patrick through seven centuries after his death. I supply the reader with the Confession and Epistle attributed to Saint Patrick, though I incline to the opinion that they are the issue of an age subsequent to that of Ireland's Saint. The Chronotaxis or Chronological Table at the end of the book I have made out from the work by the Bollandists, which seems to have been prepared with scholarly and judicious diligence.

Of the illustrations, it is to be stated that the one prefixed to the life of St. Fiech has been an heirloom in the family of Counsellor Shechan, of this city, and is taken from an old Irish prayer-book, supposed to be between three and five hundred years old. The frontispiece and the illustration fronting the Tripartite Life are taken from the Spicelegium, were engraved by Messengham, with the approbation of the French King and the Paris Archbishop, at Paris, in 1629, and were reproduced at Dublin in 1809. They are now re-engraved for the first time in this country. The illustration prefixed to the life by Jocelin is of ancient date, and supposed to have been suggested by the representation of St. Patrick in the Kilkenny Cathedral.

I hold myself responsible in no way whatsoever for the statements of St. Fiech, St. MacEvin, or Jocelin, but I present to the reader what they asserted they had received from antiquity. Their narratives may be pronounced fables, or legends, or inventions, or superstitions, or histories. On their intrinsic merits I am silent, except inasmuch as they breathe a firm belief in the omnipresence of God amongst men, strangely at variance with the lifeless, frosty indifference of our own day, and are, in addition, savored with a holy heat of charity and a high moral tone. Without comment, then, from me, I present to you in America, kind readers, Saint Patrick, the Apostle and Patron of Ireland and the Irish race, as I received him from my ancestors. I neither overstate, nor under-estimate, nor withheld anything. Judge for yourselves.

REV. JAMES O'LEARY, D.D.