ON ST. DARERCA OR MONYNNA, VIRGIN,
IN IRELAND, SCOTLAND, OR ENGLAND.
FIFTH OR SIXTH CENTURY.
PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.
The cult of Darerca; a warning concerning her life and that of St. Modwenna, to be given here.
Darerca or Moninna, in Ireland, Scotland, or England (S.)
J. P.
Scarcely any mention of this holy Virgin, under the name of Darerca, occurs, whether in the classical Martyrologies or in others more recent. In the printed Catalogue of the Saints of Ireland, which our Fitz Simon published, in the Alphabetical series is placed Darerca the virgin, and Jocelin is cited: The cult of St. Darerca but he treats of Darerca, the sister of St. Patrick, mother of many children. In the same Catalogue no Monynna is known. Yet there is placed Nonninia the virgin on 6 July, the Martyrology of the Carthusians (perhaps) being cited. Again in the order of months at 6 July, not Monynna, but Nonnina is marked. Greven in the Supplements reads: In Ireland, of Noninna the virgin; but he did not know Darerca. In the posthumous Sirinian manuscripts, transmitted hither to us by the Irish Friars Minor dwelling at Louvain, the following are noted: Moninna of Sliabh Cuillinn, who was also formerly called Darerca. Aengus is cited.
[2] Then he proceeds: Moninna of the mountain of Culenn; sweet, strenuous imitatrix of the Great Mary, took the palm of an illustrious victory. from the posthumous manuscripts of Sirin Gorman: Monina, the pure nun, virgin of Sleve, or of the mountain of Cuilenn. Calendar of Cashel: St. Moninna, virgin of Sliabh Culium, who formerly was called Darerca, and Sarbilia. This last too
name too Maguir assigns to her, and this appendix of the ancient Martyrology of Tallaght: Moninna was first called by her parents Sarbilia, but in baptism Darerca; but by the Poet she was called Moninna: which happened thus. Ninninus the Poet, having been made mute, fasted at Darerca's place, in hope of recovering his speech, and uttered his first word: Nin, nin; and hence Darerca began to be called Moninnia by the younger virgins. So I read in the posthumous manuscripts of Sirin; whence some light accedes to the memory of St. Darerca; whatever be the case concerning the origin, just recounted, of the surname Moninna or Moninnia.
[3] Let us proceed with the said manuscripts, in which he mentions some vernacular distichs, with a small elogium. composed by various authors; from which, he says (a few obscure to himself being passed over), I gather this sense: Moninna the pure, the chaste virgin, shining gold, a noble pledge, the battle-line of the camps, the joy of all offspring, the wall or bulwark of the fortunes of her clients. She afflicted her body for the love of Christ, empty of grief, stable in devotion: from the time that she girded herself with the monastic girdle, she was never sated with food, never dined. He brings moreover another distich, which he says the Annals of Donegal also adduce on the year 517, measuring thence the age of this holy Virgin, equivalent to this:
Nine times twenty years had Moninna measured out, Continuing safe in body, vigorous in mind.
Of the age of Darerca we treated elsewhere, where we treated of St. Modwenna, on the 5th of this month; so that it would be superfluous to add anything here to those things. Castellanus in the additions to the Universal Martyrology commemorates St. Darerca the virgin, whom he says is venerated in Ireland.
[4] Why the life of St. Darerca and Modwenna is given here. On the same occasion also, by comparing the two lives with each other, the one indeed written by an anonymous author, the other by Conchubran, we detected in this latter chronological errors, entanglements, narrations of incredible things, confusions, and other things of the sort, which you could scarcely read without nausea. These things we there premised, that they might be as it were preliminaries to both lives, to be given here by us, and exhibited to the eyes of the reader, that from the comparison of both he may discern that the things which at that time we disputed concerning both are all too true. To which he can also be aided from the annotations, adjoined to both, especially to the last life.
LIFE
Composed by an Anonymous Author.
From an Irish manuscript of the Seminary of Salamanca of the Society of Jesus.
Darerca or Moninna, in Ireland, Scotland, or England (S.)
BHL Number: 2095
FROM THE MANUSCRIPT.
CHAPTER I.
The birth of St. Darerca; the virginal habit received from St. Patrick; profession of a more perfect life; a miracle, prediction of future things.
A venerable virgin by name Darerca, surnamed Monynna, The birth of St. Darerca. sprung from the borders of the Conalli a, of a father Motteus b, namely a most excellent man. She, born in the plain of Cola, reared, as was fitting, by the care of religious parents, in the beginnings of her tender age resolved to keep, the grace of God persuading, the unfading flower of virginity, as long as she should live. Some years after her nativity being passed, it happened that St. Patrick c came into the province in which she herself was born, in which, some being brought to him by the care of religious men, that they might be dipped in the sacred font of baptism, and confirmed by the imposition of hands, among the rest flowing together from every side, holy Darerca, coming, presented herself to the same Bishop.
[2] Whom the holy Pontiff, full of the Holy Spirit, beholding, She receives the virginal habit from St. Patrick, understanding her holy purpose, and perceiving her fervent desire to serve God, a blessing being given, and fitting admonitions applied, she received the virginal habit, consecrated near the Briu … d pool, which, translated into Latin, sounds "Largesse" or abundance, by which it was given to understand that she was to be a living fountain of spiritual waters, from which many would draw cups of life. The aforesaid Pontiff therefore, strengthening her with salutary admonitions in the purpose begun, and praising the dignity of the virginal life, commanded her that she should join to herself other virgins, by whose admonition whom she should teach the fear of God, by whose aid too, supported, and edified by their solace, she might be able more easily to perfect the good which she had begun. Then he committed to a certain religious presbyter dwelling near her parents the care of guarding her and teaching [her] the psalms.
[3] Under his mastership she, living some time, easily perceiving what was delivered by the subtlety of her wit, tenaciously retaining by firmness of memory what was perceived, she associates other virgins to herself. in a short space received great increase. To whom, as they report, first of all eight virgins, and one widow with her little infant, by name Luger e, were joined, whom Darerca herself adopted as a son, then, imbued with ecclesiastical morals, exalted with the honor of the pontifical order. Who, his good morals requiring, presiding over his whole nation, namely the Conalli, built the church of Ruscach in the plain of Cualgne f to the honor of God. The aforesaid virgin therefore dwelt some time with her parents. But seeing in her nation, though converted to the faith, no dwellings of nuns, her parents and kinsfolk being left, she thought to depart. For she was unwilling that the purpose of her religion should be enervated by the vain colloquies of secular peoples, and inept confabulations, and the frequentations of parents, as very often happens.
[4] The virgin of Christ therefore, trusting in the Lord, with the aforesaid eight virgins and the aforesaid widow and certain others, seized the journey, Departure to Bishop Ibar, and progress under his discipline. desiring to come to a reverend pontiff, by name Ibar g, dwelling in the islands of western Ireland: and holy Darerca, coming with her company to the man of God, remained a long time under his discipline with many other virgins. After this the aforesaid Pontiff, transferring himself from the aforesaid islands, going to the southern region of Ireland, came to the Island which they call little Ireland, in which at last he died. But the sheep of Christ follow their shepherd.
[5] Who when he came to the region of the Lagenians h, She visits St. Brigid; they heard the fame of the holy virgin, St. Brigid i, dwelling there. Which heard, holy Darerca with her virgins, license being had of her mistress, turned aside to visit her; with whom, receiving no honor, but in all things humbly bearing herself, she is reported to have remained some time. But as much as she humbled herself, so much did God, by the merits of her virtues, exalt her above all others, so that even after Brigid she was reckoned second in sanctity of life, and honesty of morals, and grace of virtues.
[6] made a nun, she shines with virtues. Obedient therefore to all monastic commands, the Abbess commanding, she becomes portress of the guest-house. This office too she solicitously fulfilled, pleasing all. For the Most High gave her the grace of conferring health on the sick, and of expelling demons from the possessed. By such signs, therefore, made known about her among the people, she became venerable to all, so much that she was daily visited with provisions and gifts conferred on her sanctity by many. But reserving nothing to herself of all these, casting her care upon God, she disbursed all to the poor coming to her, for the sake of Christ.
[7] Vainly deterred from immoderate almsgiving, And when the sisters had murmured, that she gave all to the uses of the poor, reserving nothing to herself; trusting in the Lord she answered: If my sisters possess Christ with firm faith, content with food and clothing, they will have all sufficiently. For those who desire to be rich, succumbing to the temptations of the devil, cease not to be constricted with cares and anxieties. If [in] what you blame in me, Christ working in his members, we do daily, he can, when he wills, both restore to you the losses which you think, and alleviate the labors of the greed and hunger of my sisters.
[8] relying on God, she is compensated by a miracle: These things therefore said, trusting in God, ascending the bed where she was wont to rest, she found twelve excellent garments, though never before seen there. Which when the virgin of Christ saw, believing them conferred on her by God, she offered them to St. Brigid, saying: O Lady Brigid, behold what God has given for the supplying of your poverty. To whom St. Brigid, answering, said: Divide the garments transmitted to thee by the Lord among thy sisters at thy will, for they are more necessary to them than to ours. denying this, punished by death, restored to life by the Saint. There is narrated also another great miracle to have been done to the same Virgin; namely that a certain poor man, rashly denying that the aforesaid garments had been given to St. Darerca by God, was overtaken by sudden death, [and] by her prayers was restored to his life.
[9] Returned to Bishop Ibar, she supplies a scarcity of waters. After these things, going to the aforesaid Bishop, she dwelt under his protection in Ardconais, very many virgins and widows being gathered there, as also queens and noble matrons flowing together to her from every side, the mistress of all probity, she showed by words as well as examples the manner of living well. At another time it happened that too great a heat of the sun in the summer season had dried up the lands, so much that the cisterns and fountains of waters failed. The sisters therefore of St. Darerca, who lacked water, complained before the Mistress of the scarcity of water. But the handmaid of God, solicited by their complaints, obtained from God by her prayers a fountain of living waters. This water, as long as the aforesaid heat lasted, is reported to have furnished unceasing draught, not only to the nuns, but also to the inhabitants who lay round about.
[10] The prophetic Spirit in her Which miracle being published, not only women, but also men, desired to approach the presence of the holy Virgin. To whom, though endowed with ample dignity, it was reckoned a great thing, if they deserved to receive the blessing of the most holy Virgin. The Spirit of prophecy too, among the other graces of the Holy Spirit, illustrated her mind, which is proved from the following miracle. For the aforesaid holy Bishop committed the daughter of one of the natives of the region, where the nuns dwelt, to be reared in monastic discipline, to blessed Darerca as a most faithful nurse. But holy Darerca, seeing in spirit the future conditions of the girl, said: This little daughter, she says, will be the cause why in future time we shall be compelled to desert this cell which we cultivate: which the outcome of the matter most certainly proved.
[11] For the aforesaid girl, coming to youthful age, proved by the prediction of future things. inflamed with the torches of envy, stirred up her kinsmen, by diabolical persuasions, to hatred of St. Darerca. Which the daughter of peace perceiving, said to her sisters: Behold, the things which God showed us concerning that little daughter now first openly grow clear. For if, while I live, you suffer such things, when I am dead, you will not be able to dwell here. Let us therefore give place to envy, and leave to them all our things which the envious love, except only our garments, and our God will provide for us another place to dwell in.
ANNOTATA.
d. Otherwise Briugis.
CHAPTER II.
Various miracles of St. Darerca.
[15] A swelling river, at St. Darerca's endeavor, subsided. These things said, beloved of God and men, with fifty nuns, she set out on the journey. They come therefore to a certain river, until then passable to boys and women, which, suddenly swelling at their arrival, denied passage. This the handmaid of God seeing, said to the sisters: My sisters, attend and consider, that by our exacting sins, the flood of these waters forbids us to cross. Let us therefore search our consciences, that if any of us has the fault of a transgression, devoutly confessing it, she may be able to be immune from punishment. And then one of the sisters, answering, said: Going out from the monastery, of the garlic which I saw drying, one bundle, which I thought was ours, I carried.
[13] To whom holy Darerca said: Carry it back quickly to the place whence thou tookest it. For if we left greater things there, we ought not to carry off lesser things without the leave of those with whom they are left. And when the nun, obeying the commands of the elder, carried the bundle of garlic back to the first place: soon the force of the river, returning to its state, offered itself fordable to the nuns.
[14] Having tarried a while with St. Brigid, she departs. Then turning aside to St. Brigid, and tarrying with her some days, and instructed by her angelic admonitions, and confirmed in the faith, they propose again to take the journey. And when for the solace of the journey they had asked the blessing of St. Brigid; she answered: Almighty God keep you in the way by which you go, and make that you come to the desired dwellings.
[15] A silver vessel, offered by St. Brigid, but secretly set down by Darerca, A blessing too being given, she gave to St. Darerca a certain silver vessel, from which drink is wont to be drawn for powerful princes, which in the Irish tongue is called Escra. And the daughter, not daring to contradict the venerable mother, yet wishing to take nothing else besides the blessing, sluggishly received the offered vessel. But, her fellow-sisters being saluted, going out with haste, she placed the aforesaid gift in a certain secret place, and then departed. But when the aforesaid vessel was afterward found by the girls of St. Brigid, and presented to the holy mother Brigid, she said: What we have given to God we ought not to receive back.
[16] cast by Brigid's command into the river, and restored to Darerca. And she commanded that it be cast into a neighboring river by name Lyfi a. So the vessel, cast into the river, which flows into the sea toward the east, against the accustomed course of nature, the divine power working, at the mouth of the pool, which the Irish call the head of the shore, is reported to have been found by a certain holy man, Bishop Herbeus, brother of Darerca. Which vessel he did not delay to give to St. Darerca, whose monastery was situated near the aforesaid pool; but the monastery of St. Darerca is distant four days' journey from the monastery of St. Brigid.
[17] After these things the Virgin of Christ, coming to the northern region of Ireland, She proceeds into northern Ireland, visited her kinsmen as the sheep of the house of Israel which had perished, and, the journey finished, at last came to the plain by name Murthenna, which was the chief dwelling of her nation. Which nation, in ancient times imbued with skill in the magic arts above the other neighboring nations, then, the grace of God working through St. Patrick, was made Christian. wondrous custody of the eyes. There therefore the Virgin of Christ dwelling, as is most certainly reported, beheld no man. But if ever necessity of going out from the cell pressed, namely that she might visit the sick, and loose the bound from prison by prayer or price, she made her journey in the night time, lest she be seen by men, and if she had any meeting her on the way, she was wont to address them with veiled face.
[18] At a certain time she came by night to certain handmaids of God, namely the daughters of Campanus; She converts water into wine; restores a calf slain for her sake; and when, according to their means, the spouse of Christ with her company was liberally provided for, that which was wanting to them in providing, namely drink, whereby such guests might be cheered, the divine grace supplied through her hand. For she, blessing a vessel full of water, God working through her, that water is converted into the best wine. It is reported also that while she lodged with one of her neighbors, by name Deneth, she did there a very special miracle, namely that a calf, which the host, poor indeed in means, but rich in charity, slew for her refreshment, was on the morrow found, either itself or another quite similar to it, with its mother.
[18] Then, some time passed, the aforesaid Deneth, blessing an almost empty vessel, walking through his little field, is reported to have found St. Darerca with the sisters, weary with the sweat of the nocturnal journey. For it was the custom of the spouse of Christ to walk more by night than by day, lest the appearance of human things corrupt her dove-like glances. The aforesaid man therefore supplicates the handmaid of God, that she deign to turn aside to his lodging; and the lover of piety, condescending to the prayers of the suppliant, obtained what she asked. And when they entered the house together, the devout host cheerfully ministered food and drink according to the little measure of his means. Refreshment therefore being taken, the blessed virgin blessed the furniture of the house, but especially that vessel from which the ale had been brought.
[19] But the little ale which remained in the bottom of the vessel, she fills with ale so much by the grace of her blessing was so augmented, that it quickly grew to the top of the vessel. Then, addressing the host, she said to him: For the guests to be invited by thee, from this vessel as much as shall suffice, one time indeed thou shalt believe thou art to pour out. And the little substance which thou hast until now given to me who am fed, God the requiter of all good things will henceforth multiply to thee and thy posterity: for beyond the possibility of thy means thou hast pursued hospitality toward the men-servants and maid-servants of Christ; and these things said, she departed.
[20] But after the going-out of the handmaid of Christ it happened as a reward for the hospitality shown to her, that it sufficed for many guests. that the same man invited to a refreshment the King of the Conalli, passing through his house. But the King, wishing to spare his poverty, would not at first assent, yet at last, overcome by the devotion of the inviter, gave him his assent. But he reclining with his company, the dishes are set on, [and] the ale from the vessel blessed by the holy Virgin is poured out abundantly. And this ale, by the blessing of St. Darerca, is reported to have sufficed for two days and as many nights for all the multitude which was with the King. The aforesaid man therefore, who received her blessing, grew from day to day in goods, and his posterity obtained the primacy in his people for many years.
ANNOTATA.
CHAPTER III.
Ascetic life; various miracles; public veneration.
[21] She migrates from Mount Focartha. The holy virgin therefore, coming to her native province, as we said, is reported to have first dwelt on Mount Focartha a. In the same place too, with her sisters, 150 in number, she faithfully served God b. But on a certain night, hearing the shouts of those celebrating a wedding, and dreading to hear them frequently, she transferred herself thence to a certain place set near Mount Culim, that there she might hear the sweet colloquies of her spouse without the impediment of worldly things.
[22] Harshness of life; miracles; At the roots of this mountain too she caused a certain cell to be built for the handmaids of Christ. The daughter therefore of John the Baptist and Elijah the prophet, clothed in rough garments, who as a strong Hermit with her fellow-sisters, indissolubly cleaving to one another with the most tenacious glue of charity, in the aforesaid desert is reported to have carried on a most valiant warfare. For there, as a lamp placed upon a candlestick, shining with the light of miracles, she is not doubted to have put to flight the foul darkness of the Northern regions by the efficacy of devout prayer. For with how great frequentations of prayers and vigils, and with how great labors of hands she afflicted herself, and in what battles against demons she sweated, and with how great coruscations of miracles she shone, no one could fully number or know.
[23] anachoretic life; For all the good things which she did, she labored to conceal, as far as she could, from the notice of men, except those which a certain necessity compelled to be shown to men. For she so followed the footsteps of the pious hermits, that, digging the earth with her own labor, she had sown it: for she bore a manly spirit in a female body: wherefore a hoe and a spade were in her monastery, after her death, for many years reserved with due honor. Her pelisse also and sheepskin, more precious than silken garments, and a wooden comb, with which once a year, namely on the Lord's Supper Maundy Thursday, unless the utmost necessity of infirmity compelled, she was wont to comb her hair, they reserved with great veneration a long time.
[24] She therefore, dwelling in hiding, was by the splendor of her virtues celebrated in all parts of Ireland. public veneration Hence in the progress of time from all the regions round about, noble matrons were wont to approach her presence, their knees bent to the earth, asking that they might enjoy her colloquies, or be commended to God by her prayers. Besides, the number of the virgins of Christ daily increased, and not only from the near, but also from the remote regions, alms being frequently sent, the flock of Christ was fed.
[25] Then at a certain time, the nuns laboring near to death from hunger, she feeds her famished sisters; by the stimulation of a certain prudent man, she was roused from the height of contemplation to compassionate the sisters. Who thus said: How long wilt thou suffer thy fellow-sisters and the handmaids of Christ to waste away with hunger? For thou couldst, if thou wouldst, help
them. This heard, the Virgin of Christ, suffused with the blush of shame, compassionating the defects of others more than her own, trusting in the Lord, ordered her sisters to collect many vessels, and commanded them to be placed in a secret and fitting place. Thereupon, having entered the oratory, passing the night in prayer, she poured out prayers to the Lord, who said: Ask, and it shall be given you; and because she was worthy to be heard, she obtained what she asked. For on the morrow all the vessels were found full of necessaries.
[26] At another time wolves, suddenly rushing from the groves, had invaded the calves of the nuns, pastured near the mountain neighboring the monastery. She foretells that a calf snatched by wolves will be brought back. The calves too being turned to flight, they snatched one with them. And the nuns related, complaining, to Darerca herself whatever had happened, who, answering, said: Be not anxious about this. For he who snatched the Prophet Daniel unharmed from the mouth of the lions, will restore sound the calf snatched from the teeth of the wolves. And so on the morrow the wolves brought back the calf untouched to their pastures.
[27] Then, some time being passed, certain robbers, walking near the monastery, A stone converted into salt; ask of a certain little woman, meeting them, whence she came, and whither she went. Who answered: I come from near: I go to St. Darerca. To whom, mocking, they say: Let Darerca know, that we are not rich, and although many gifts are sent to her from every side, yet let her deign to accept our alms, such as it is, now to be carried to her by thee: for we believe its use will long endure for her. Thereupon, one of the stones which were present there being seized, and placed on the shoulders of the trembling old woman, adjuring her, that in the presence of the holy virgin Darerca she should set down the stone; and so they permit her to depart. And when the woman fulfilled what had been commanded, namely placing the stone before the Virgin, it is at once transmuted into the substance of salt.
[28] A certain handmaid of Christ dwelt in a certain secret cell near the monastery, the food of a poor woman leading an eremitic life, for to her a daily refreshment was transmitted from the monastery. And when one day a dinner was sent by a certain one of the nuns, the bearer met robbers, and, her victuals being snatched from her, she is permitted to return empty. Who, when she had related to the mother what had happened, the mother consoling her, said: The reward of thy labor remains to thee entire, and what was snatched from thee, God can restore to thee untouched. But the aforesaid robbers, after the prey taken, seeking byways, were by divine power blinded, so that in the groves, where they were most skilled, they wandered three days.
[29] snatched by robbers, and marvelously restored, not without their conversion. At last, coming to themselves, they confess that the fault which they had committed was avenged on them, and promise that they will do penance according to the judgment of the holy Virgin, if they should recognize the right way: and because God is readier to pity than to condemn, before they recognized their fault; the divine power, opening their eyes, showed the way to the monastery, which was near. And when they came to the monastery, they presented themselves to the holy Virgin, restoring what they had taken away, humbly prostrate they ask pardon, and voluntarily undergo the enjoined penance, and, renouncing robberies, departed with amendment of life.
[30] She sends the virgin Brignat into Britain; Among the other handmaids of God a certain virgin of God, by name Brignat, is handed down to have cohabited with the holy Virgin; for considering the indications of her future sanctity, she is reported to have sent her into the island of Britain from the monastery of Rostnat, to receive the rules of monastic conversation. But she, as she was a daughter of holy obedience, without delay seizing the journey, came to the wished-for place without loss of way. She remained therefore near the aforesaid monastery, solicitous to fulfill the command of the holy mother, in a certain little lodging, where she read through the psalms and other books necessary to her. The holy obedience therefore being completed, God co-operating, as in the going-out, so also in the return, making a prosperous journey, she returned to her abbey.
[31] she restores a girl to life. Her familiarity with the angels; After these things holy Darerca deserved by her most devout prayers to resuscitate a certain neophyte girl, overtaken by sudden death, who afterward survived many years. Besides, as is proved by the truthful testimony of those conversing with her, angels frequently visited her, and had familiar colloquy with her, which is proved most certain from the following miracle. For on a certain night, the sisters going out to celebrate Matins, she, the signal being struck, enjoining silence, said: O blessed Lord, what has happened to us this night we ought not to pass over in silence. For our prayers hitherto could scarcely ascend beyond the roof of the church, and the guest-angels were wont to visit us, whom however this night I do not see visit us: for I doubt not this has happened by our exacting sins.
[32] the brightness of conscience Let us therefore search our consciences, as much as we can. This heard, the nuns, terrified, believing the mistress more than themselves, fell prostrate to the earth. One therefore of the widows, who had lately been converted from secular conversation, rising, said: O Lady, I confess that the cause of this matter is my sin, for I confess that I received two shoes c from a certain man, to whom I had been unlawfully joined, and, forgetfulness delaying [me], I had not your leave, which because of the cold I carry on my feet.
[33] proved by the prophetic spirit. To whom the holy Prophetess said: It is expedient that these shoes be plunged into the deep of the waters, for which we suffer the absence of the angels. One therefore of the sisters being called, namely by name Brignat, of whom a little before we made mention, and others with her, holy Darerca said: Go, she says, and hide those shoes in a certain deep place, where no one can find them. And they going, and fulfilling the command, the rest of the nuns perform the begun vigils. And the vigils being finished, the blessed Virgin said: We ought, she says, to give thanks to our Lord with devout minds, because now our prayers, no obstacle prohibiting, can reach the heavenly regions, and the desired guests, the cause of my offense, now do not disdain to see us. Hence it is clearly given to understand, that she cleansed herself from principal sins, when she perceived her prayers impeded by venial sins, and with how great diligence she did not suffer greater sins to grow, who with such haste took care to amend the lesser.
ANNOTATA.
CAPUT IV.
Familiarity with the Angels; she is visited by King Eugenius when near death, and by the holy Apostles Peter and Paul; apparitions after death and marvels.
The aforesaid sisters, the obedience fulfilled, returning, and knocking at the door of the oratory, perceived that the matutinal office was completed. Familiarity with the angels So while the others accompanied her, a virgin by name Brigida said: Do you, before it dawn, enter the dormitory to rest a little. And when they had entered the dormitory, the virgin Brigida herself went to the chamber where holy Darerca was wont to pray, and was wont to have colloquy of the angels. But when she drew near the place, she beheld as it were two swans fly thence. Which, gazing more diligently, perceiving whatever seemed to have lain hidden, she dared to inspect. Struck therefore with the terror of the wondrous vision, falling to the earth, and more urgently praying God that she perish not, at last, trembling, she rose, and gently knocking at the little door, indicated that she had performed the obedience, and, too greatly terrified, could scarcely restrain herself. To whom holy Darerca said:
[35] Sign thyself with the sign of the cross, perhaps a vision of beasts or of demons, proved from the vision of the virgin Brigida, as often happens in the desert, has crazed thee. But she: It is not so, Lady, but I beheld two swans of most white color ascend from thy cell, from whose wondrous vision I began to be afraid. And the mother to the daughter said: Now I know truly, that God, who reveals many things for the salvation of men, has now deigned to enrich thee with this his grace. It is time therefore that thou dwell in the land of thy nativity, and profit others by the grace given thee. And she adds, to whom Darerca foretold blindness. Of the eyes too, with which thou beheldest the angels, thou shalt henceforth be deprived, but better ones, whereby thou mayst consider the Lord, thou shalt have for them. Thy vision therefore, before I die, thou shalt reveal to none. The handmaid of Christ therefore, obeying the command of her Lady, went to her country, and, a fit place for the dwelling of nuns being found, one day's journey removed from the monastery of St. Darerca, deprived of her bodily lights, as long as she lived, remained there a.
[36] She is visited by King Eugenius when near death, These things done, the day of the payment of the debt of nature of St. Darerca approaching, the aggravation of her sickness, published far and wide, turned the peoples set round about to great grief. Wherefore King Eugenius, Conav, who at that time presided over three provinces, namely Marceyne, Cunilga, and Coba, and other chief men of the peoples, with a great multitude, came unanimously to visit her up to the place near the monastery. And all these sent Bishop Herbeus, of whom before we made mention, to the virgin Darerca herself, that he might bring the message of the whole people of the faithful, by saying these words: O Lady! by our consanguinity we beseech (for there were there many of her nation; he too, and King Eugenius on the mother's side, was of Conall) and by the affinity which we hold in flesh and soul, we supplicate, that at least for the circle of one year thou deign to dwell with us on earth.
[37] her wondrous desire being left. Grant not therefore that this year by thy death we be orphans. For we are certain, that whatever thou shalt ask of the Lord, thou wilt at once obtain. For each [one] of us who is a man of power will give for thy life a free handmaid to the Lord. Every man too, bearing arms, of full age, will give a cow of his own will. All these things, collected together, shall be subject to thy will. To whom she sends back word through the Bishop, saying these things: Blessed be you of the Lord, who made heaven and earth, who, humbling your dignity, came to visit me, vile and languishing.
[38] Visited by the holy Apostles Peter and Paul For if yesterday, and the day before, you asked this, perhaps the clemency of God would consent to your petition, but today I cannot acquiesce to you: for venerable guests (who, hearing our colloquies—namely Peter and Paul—are sent by the condescension of God to lead away my soul with them) are now present to me. For I behold them to have a certain linen cloth between them, composed with wondrous artifice, and interwoven with gold. With them therefore I must go out to my Lord, who sent them for me. But almighty God, with whom a ready will is held for the deed, render to you a worthy recompense. But that, wherewith you proposed to redeem my life, let each of you give to God for his own soul. Blessed be you of the Lord, who made heaven and earth, etc. Blessed, I say, with your wives and children,
and possessions. My pelisse too and sheepskin, as also a hoe, and the other utensils, I leave with you. But if against enemies coming to devastate your provinces, you carry them with you, through them, God's grace granting, doubt not that you will have victory.
[39] But your borders, to depopulate other regions, having prayed all fortunate things for her own, presume not to transgress, unless perhaps a greater power compel, lest a worthy vengeance of God come upon you. But be not sad about my absence. For I believe that Christ, with whom I shall now abide, will bestow on you no less whatever I shall ask in the heavens, than those things which we shall ask of him on earth.
[40] These and things like these sending back through the aforesaid Bishop, she bade farewell to each, and, farewell said, she dies. their proper names being called. But the people, hearing these things, threw down their arms, weeping and wailing, [and] raised an immense lamentation to the heavens. At last, consoled by the exhortations of the Bishop, they each returned to their houses. So, all things pertaining hereafter to her monastery being disposed, and many things to come in future time being pronounced in order by the spirit of prophecy, on the day when such things were done, that is, the day before the Nones of July, which is also the octave of the natal of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, the good fight fought, and the course happily kept, she migrated to Christ, with whom she reigns unto the ages of ages.
[41] But after the third day from her death, to one of the sisters, St. Darerca, appearing after death, admonishes whose name was Tannat, after Compline, on a certain night, coming from the dormitory by I know not what compelling cause, Darerca, standing in prayer beside the cross, near the gate of the monastery, is reported to have appeared in bodily form. Whom Tannat, recognizing, fell at her feet, saying: Lady, what dost thou bid me do? But she: Return to the dormitory, and command the sisters, that at such a time they labor with diligent zeal to keep the law of silence, nor permit their voices to be heard from the dormitory. For why have they transgressed the rule, whose bounds it is by no means lawful to transgress? O my daughters, you ought not to neglect small things, lest afterward in like manner you neglect greater. But thou, this same week being passed, shalt come to me.
[42] Meanwhile therefore hasten thy journey. But she, rejoicing at such a promise, concerning the keeping of silence, the said nun being foretold to die. accompanied the mistress up to the fountain set in the northern part of the monastery, where she vanished from her eyes. And the woman, returning to the house, related to her fellow-sisters all that had happened to her, who, partly rejoiced at the revelation of so great a vision, partly struck with dread, fell prostrate to the earth. But the aforesaid Tannat, the week being passed, taking the viaticum, then bidding farewell to the sisters, entered her chamber, and there, collecting both feet, and stretching herself out, rested in Christ.
[43] After the death of St. Darerca, as she herself appointed, A column Bia was Abbess, then Diu, then Derlasre, who presided over the monastery 60 years. In her body a notable miracle happened. For she herself, according to the custom of the Irish nation, building with studious artifice a church of smoothed planks in the monastery of Ben b of Darerca, and having nearly consummated the begun work, the wood, and that which the Latins call the ridge-beam, c, namely the wood which can be placed at the summit of the building to join the two walls, for completing the building was still wanting. The workmen too, to seek such wood so necessary, go to the groves, seek, and at last [it] is found in an inaccessible and steep place.
[44] movable by no art, it is believed to have been carried elsewhere by angels. The felled tree too they could by no art, on account of the most difficult situation of the place, remove. The Abbess, knowing such things, and despairing of the conveyance of the wood to the monastery, turning to the patronage of St. Darerca, said: St. Darerca then now lives in heaven, for whom this house is built on earth; who can help us if she will. On the morrow therefore in a level place, situated near the monastery, which could be approached without injury of beasts or men, the aforesaid column was found by the workmen. Then the curiosity of the carpenters d, wishing to explore whether any trace of so great a wood had appeared, they beheld no branches broken at the top of the trees. Hence it is given to understand, that what could not be done by human powers, by divine power, the angels ministering, was most easily completed. For the wood, which had been found on the highest rocks, and could not by human art be brought by land from so eminent a place, by angelic art was carried without difficulty to the level road through the air.
[45] Water converted into ale. At another time a Bishop of venerable life, whose name was Fibartus, and surname Firnianus, tending his journey to the aforesaid monastery, seemed to have descended abruptly from a mountain, situated near the monastery. His arrival being known, the Abbess herself, by name Derlasre, said to a girl ministering to her: Draw water from the fountain of St. Darerca and fill from it the casks in which some ferment remains; and the casks being filled, all being shut out, remaining alone, she entreats the help of St. Darerca by prayers. Which when she had done, by the virtue of the blessing, whatever she gave in the name of the virgin Darerca, the boiling water was turned into the best ale, [and] they who drank were sufficiently refreshed. It ends e.
ANNOTATA.
LIFE OF ST. MODUENNA, CALLED BY SEVERAL NAMES,
By the Author Conchubran.
From a manuscript codex of the Cottonian Library, under the effigy of Cleopatra A. 2.
Collated with the Life of St. Monynna or Darerca.
Darerca or Moninna, in Ireland, Scotland, or England (S.)
BHL Number: 2096, 2100
FROM THE MANUSCRIPTS.
PROLOGUE OF THE AUTHOR.
There was among the Irish nations a virgin of venerable life, and adorned with the holy industry of morals, by name Movenna, famous by the grace of her merits in all parts of Ireland, Scotland, and the borders of England. Whose virtue, illuminating all the region of the North, as a very great lamp placed upon a candlestick, illustrated all the foul darkness of ignorance there. To those dwelling in the region of the shadow of death, a light is risen to them. She dwelt therefore a long time, under the northern pole, near Mount Colim, which is on the confines of the provinces, of the Eastern by surname, which it claims to itself from the West and North; and of the province of the Conalli, which it looks toward the South and Auster. At whose roots, on the North side, she dwelt, a glorious place being suitably built, as the prophetic oracle sounds, saying: Mount Zion, the sides of the North, the city of the great King.
[2] Therefore for the great King, a temple of holy hearts being built, of which the Apostle says: You are the temple of the living God, and the Spirit of God dwells in you—not of wood and stones, but of holy men, with the most fervent glue of charity; that all may have one heart, and one soul; as a strong hermit, the virgin of Christ Movenna carried on a holy warfare, as afterward, when we shall have come to this, according to the order, God co-operating, we shall say. But now of her life and virtues, even from her infancy or the times of her tender age, what has been handed down to us among us by most truthful witnesses, God willing, and her merits helping, as far as we can, we endeavor to bring forth in words a.
ANNOTATA.
CAPUT I.
The birth of St. Moduenna; the virginal pall conferred on her by St. Patrick; profession of a more perfect life; a prediction; a miracle.
Of the aforesaid people of the Conalli a therefore holy Movenna had a father by name Maugtheus, The birth of St. Moduenna. ruling Oveahhulue and all the land in the circuit of Armagh b, from Louth up to Uulester, of the lineage of the kindred Hileth, a most excellent man, as can be proved in this, that he found great grace in the sight of the Lord, who deserved to have such a daughter, whom the Lord chose for himself from her nativity. But her mother [was] by name Coman, most noble daughter of King Dalbranaith, who ruled all the land from Dublin c up to Regunleth. For she too to the end led a most excellent life for fifteen years. Into that province, in which Movenna dwelt with her parents, holy Patrick d came as a guest, sent by Pope Celestine, that he might preach the word of God to all the Irish, set in diabolical captivity, and, some being delivered by him to baptism, or confirmed by the imposition of hands, came also Movenna herself, a most beautiful daughter, with other faithful, to meet the Bishop, and the Apostle of all Ireland of that time, [and] she understood the blessing from him. The man full of God found the holy desire of the religious virgin, fearing God, to be fervent, [and] he bestowed spiritual admonitions as far as he could, or she herself was able to receive, or the time allowed.
[4] After these things too the holy virginal pall, holy Patrick blessing, She receives the virginal pall from St. Patrick: she deserved to receive near the little pool of Briugis, which in Latin sounds "of largesse." In the pool of water, near which holy Movenna received the virginal pall, an abundance in it of graces and virtues [was] to proceed with the blessing of the Bishop, from which all should daily draw the grace of healings and the streams of the waters of life. The holy Bishop therefore taught the daughter, betrothed to the true spouse Christ, diligently to know the commands of God, and to understand them from the heart; because there is as great a distance between virginity and matrimony, as between matrimony and Christ; for virginity is first in the token of virtue, nearer to God, like the Angels, parent of life, friend of health, mistress of joy, leader of virtue, foundation and crown of faith, prop of hope, and support of charity. Instructed diligently with these precepts, Patrick added also this, that she should join to herself other virgins, whom she should rear with her from adolescence in the fear of the Lord, so that, supported by their solace, she might more easily be able to fulfill and perfect the good which she had begun.
[5] she is taught the psalms. And he delivered into her hand a most beautiful virgin,
by name Athea. She was therefore commended by the Bishop to another religious presbyter, that he might first of all teach her the psalms and always nourish her in divine studies. With the blessing of Bishop Patrick she returns to the house of her parents, with whom, remaining apart some time, the presbyter teaching [her] that which drowns all men in destruction; for he too read the psalms well. Much memory and an ardent wit had prevailed in her, reading quickly and firmly retaining in mind what was read. The reading increased from day to day. A certain one relates, that she was born of good and pious parents, well reared, in the common view most beautiful, in body and soul chaste, [and] grew up in the house of her parents; and she had vowed herself to the Lord from her infancy to keep the crown of virginity sound and entire, She joins to herself eight other virgins, and builds a church. as long as she should live. And there were joined in the place which is called Fochard, first of all eight virgins, among whom were also Brigida, Athea, and Orbile, and one widow with a little infant, whom it is established was afterward made an illustrious bishop of his nation, that is, Lord of Conalla, by name Luger e. Who first, without doubt, had founded the church of Ruscane in the little plain of Colgi. He deserved to receive holiness by the privilege of dignity through the blessing of holy Movenna, whom she first of all adopted for herself in the place of a son from infancy. And there, on the nativity of St. Brigid, Movenna built that church.
[6] But it happened on one night, that thieves stole two cows which they had. The cows marvelously restored to her. And when they had come to the river which is called Ffertas, this miracle happened, that the river became so hot, that their feet were burned. And walking about through the whole night, they could in no way cross. But in the early morning, they were found near the church, and, doing penance, with tears received the faith, saying that they would never steal more. After these things, some time being passed with her parents, and the monasteries of girls being still rare among those nations, inasmuch as the seeds of faith had lately been cast, still rare there came into the mind of the holy virgin a pious thought, that she should withdraw from the men of the world, though they were parents and kinsfolk, she who had renounced the world for Christ; lest the purpose of her mind, which she had directed to the Lord, either the inept and vain confabulation of secular things, or the ever-creeping wicked persuasion of the ancient adversary, should remove from what she had begun.
[7] In the name of God with her girls, and the one aforesaid widow, Leaving her paternal house she gives herself to a more perfect life. the little infant being dismissed, and with other companions journeying for Christ, she sets out, as they hand down, to the holy bishop Ibar f, in those times dwelling in the Islands beyond Ireland set in the western ocean, three islands constricted under one name, that is Triairna. Where she spent much time in the service of God and the strict rule of holy disciplines, and a hard life, but right abstinence, in an excessive assiduity of vigils and reading, under the power of that bishop. Many virgins of Christ being gathered to her there, there is made also a new and Apostolic choir of the virgins of Christ. She imitates the example of Mary sitting at the feet of the Lord and choosing the good part.
[8] Therefore holy Movenna, coming to the little hill of Fochard, She migrates from Mount Focard on account of secular din. first began to dwell there. Many virgins of Christ being gathered together, she had, as is reported, at that time one hundred and fifty. Meanwhile a space of time had flowed. On another night she heard from the neighboring little villages, which lay beneath the aforesaid little hill, some secular songs, which could be recognized to be of those wantoning, and proclaiming vain gladness. Holy Movenna asked the sisters, what this might be, that men thus shouted with vain garrulity. It is indicated to her, that in the house of one of the neighbors betrothing there are songs, where by human union a bride was betrothed to a carnal spouse. And holy Movenna said to her sisters: We, who are joined to a spiritual spouse, and betrothed to Christ the Son of God, it is fitting to hear spiritual songs by day and night. We ought to withdraw to places more remote from all, where we may be able to give ourselves only to prayer and reading, and it may be possible for us to be visited by the Angels of God for us and our kinsfolk. But the morning being come, she sent her brother, by name Roman, into the neighboring deserts, for the sake of exploring places; and a most fit place, near Mount Colim, being found and revealed by the Lord.
[9] A servant-girl miraculously deformed. Then holy Movenna said to her sisters: It is necessary that one girl guard that place. And they answered her: Who can remain here except Orbile? She is a most prudent daughter of a king and most noble. And holy Movenna said to that virgin: With the grace of God it is fitting that thou guard this place. To whom Orbile answered: I cannot be without thee on account of the nobility of my body, and the hairs of my head and [my] beauty, because I greatly fear the presence of young men. For this cause it is not lawful for me to guard this place. Then holy Movenna rose, and prayed; and after the prayer she breathed upon the hairs of her head, and immediately they became white as snow as if in old age g. To whom Orbile answered, giving thanks to God: I fear, Lady, that the appearance of my body will still deceive me. Hearing these things, holy Movenna girded the body of her who feared with her girdle, blessing [it]. Such things being accomplished, the girl was transfigured into the appearance of an old woman; and thence, her name being changed, she was called Servile. Servile, seeing this which was done to her body, giving thanks with good will to the Abbess, answered: With intent heart I wish to guard the place. Then holy Movenna delivered to her the place to guard, and proceeded to the aforesaid place, which is called Chelledene, that is, the Cell of the mountain, with her Virgins. Where when they arrived, beginning to dwell there, a wild man, a swineherd of a certain King of the eastern regions, by name Macloithe, feeding swine through the woods, found them.
[10] Moduenna with her companions, by the adjuration of the peasant First he began to marvel, either that such persons should stay in the desert, or [at] the multitude of the handmaids of God, having nothing with them of victuals whereby they might live, except herbs. But perhaps there were there for men pasture-trees and the barks of trees, whereby they could live. First, as a rustic man, he began to adjure them by God, that they should take nothing from the wood, until he should announce their arrival to his Lord; that wretch thinking either to sustain the wrath of his Lord, if he had kept silence, or that the woods, by which the swine were satisfied, would fail, if he should allow so great a multitude to feed on the roots or barks of the trees. After these things that evil-doer goes to his Lord, set far off, relating of the arrival of the handmaids of God into his borders. To whom the King answered, that he ought to be glad at their arrival, and to grant them license of all things whatsoever they wished, and were needful to them. Meanwhile, as they hand down, seven days had passed, in which the sisters of Christ were constrained by the adjuration of the peasant, that they should taste nothing, as I said, of the woods, until that man should have returned: they being cold and failing from hunger, or even breathing out the last breath, license is granted them of feeding on the trees according to the command of the King.
[11] The swineherd began, after he arrived, to seek his lost swine, compelled to a 7 days' fast, she foretells the swine safe to him. and, long sought, could not find them. The little man came to holy Movenna, and, bewailing himself, said: On your account I have lost my swine, and, diligently sought, have not found them: in an evil hour you came into this land, for whom I have lost my money. To whom holy Movenna, consoling the sad [man] with a gentle address, said through a messenger: Blessed in mind, be secure, the swine are preserved by the Lord; and going out from us, thou shalt now find the swine in entire number, unharmed and safe. Believe that God can everywhere preserve whatever he will, sound and entire. And he, departing from them at this word, found all the swine in that hour, as holy Movenna foretold would certainly come to pass.
[12] And taking one little pig from them, after no long delay of time, A little pig slain, and cooked he brought [it] to the sisters of Christ, saying: My little offering I have brought to you, because you rightly deserved [it]: for the money entrusted to me, a whole entire week, no other preserving [it], by your prayers and me you have preserved in the deserts, untouched not only by men, but also by beasts. In a good hour I saw you, because now I have known that you are perfect handmaids of Christ. And the sisters said to him from the word of holy Movenna: We do not refuse thy offering, but it is not our custom to feed on these flesh-meats; we came into the desert for Christ: of the wild beasts of the desert, on which it is the custom for the servants of God to live, if the Lord shall give thee [any] at hand, we will take something. After the peasant saw that his offering, which he had loved long alive, and, being killed, had cooked, was not received by the sisters, sighing in heart, he made great sorrows; for it was not from want of food to him, nor to whom he might sell [it], or what he might do with it, he was altogether ignorant.
[13] Movenna the virgin, hearing, filled with the Holy Spirit, she restores [it to life.] that the sorrows of the peasant were not thus to be consoled, ordered the cooked little pig to be brought to her feet, whose pieces she composed, [and] by the grace of God placed the cut members together, and by her blessing restored the little pig alive to the peasant, [him] seeing [it] h. The same hour, departing from them, after a little, he brought a captured stag to the sisters, saying: Behold, without labor and any injury it has befallen me to find more quickly that which pleased more your purpose in God. Then, taking the stag with thanksgiving, as transmitted by the Lord, they accept [it], believing always in his name, whose is all the earth with its fullness. And in this they always had their whole desire, even if beyond their strength they should sustain hard labor for Christ. But they did not think the other flesh-meats to be unlawful for eating, because they had wisely heard, that to the clean all things are clean, and nothing to be rejected which is received with thanksgiving.
[14] But some Saints are wont, and especially monastic men among those nations, Why some Saints do not feed on any flesh whatever. with whom a great abundance of cattle flourishes, not to feed on the flesh of all animals, lest they seem to be assimilated to the secular [men], with whom always in this hangs all care, lest something be wanting on the table. But on stags and boars or roes they feed, because they are more rarely caught, and lest they be thought to condemn lawful things, they receive their flesh, when the Lord transmits [it], with thanksgiving. But it is also the part of those, not to refuse similar persons, if they live on all things which Christians use, rightly understanding what is written: He who eats, eats to the Lord, and gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, let him not despise the one who eats, and the rest; knowing through all that place and time and person are to be observed.
ANNOTATA.
CAPUT II.
Moduenna marvelously brings back to virtue a tyrant and a robber; appeases another vexed by the devil; leads water by her staff up the mountain; tames a wolf. Certain other marvels; water converted into wine.
[15] Glumelath the tyrant In that time there was a certain tyrant by name Glumelath a, in that desolate and deserted land, with his perverse companions sparing none, whose number was fifty, near the church of Movenna. On a certain day it happened, that eight presbyters, sent by holy Bishop Patrick, had come, that they might visit the sisters set in the desert, and especially Movenna the Abbess. And when Glumelath had found them, near the way where he himself dwelt, he killed them. And when Movenna had heard the evil which had been done, she rose and said to her virgins: Let us go and seek peace in that land. The virgins answered, saying: We ought not to go to the robbers, because they wish to condemn us. And holy Movenna said: The Lord will defend us. Let us go and demand the bodies of the Saints for burial. And going out, accompanied by fifty virgins, she came to the place where Glumelath was, into the plain which is called Machdathevene.
[16] The tyrant, seeing these approaching, rejoiced greatly, and the robber, and, filled with a demon, said to his companions: Behold, fifty virgins come to us, that each one of us may have a wife. Then the tyrant came to meet the Abbess, that he might seize her and have her as wife, and said: Behold what I have desired for many days. And holy Movenna answered: For the sake of thy nobility, give us peace for the while, that I may speak with thee a little, and tell thy companions not to harm my sisters. And the tyrant said to his soldiers: Wait a little, that I may speak with Movenna. And they did so. And the Abbess said to Glumelath: My Lord, incline thy head into my bosom. And when he had inclined his head into her bosom, he slept at once, and all his companions likewise. And thereupon holy Movenna prayed to God and said: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, thy will be done in heaven and on earth, and help us. After these things an Angel of the Lord descended from heaven and said: Fear not, daughter, for I am with thee, and now I will take the spirit of that tyrant, and do thou come with me.
[17] And he took them up spiritually, and there was shown to them hell, a vision being shown to her, and the kingdom of heaven, and they saw a most beautiful place of a certain Pontiff, who was called Chevin; Glumelath asked whose that place would be. And it was said to him: It is prepared in honor of Chevin. And after these things there were shown to them many other things [and] they returned to their bodies. Then holy Movenna rose and said to them: Rise, rise, rise, for three days and nights you have not waked. And so it was, that from the first hour of Thursday, up to the ninth hour of Saturday, they did not rise. Then holy Movenna began a hymn with her virgins: Ireland is most marvelous to men by portents, and the rest. And when Glumelath had risen from sleep, he said to holy Movenna:
[18] Wilt thou give me the place of Chevin, and I will not harm thee nor the virgins marvelously converted to the faith together with another, and made a bishop. who are with thee. And the Abbess answered: How can I give thee the place of another soldier of Christ, and I know not whether there will be for me a proper place in heaven. And the tyrant said: Truly, even if thou give me not that place, at once thou shalt be my wife without delay. And the Abbess answered: If thou believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be baptized, and do my counsel, thou shalt have no worse place. And he said: I will do whatever thou command, if thou give me that place; but I will not receive another place. And holy Movenna said to him: Thou shalt have [it]: but rise and come with me. And be faithful unto death, and thou shalt have that place. Then Glumelath rose with Afin, son of his sister, and they were separated from their other companions, and came with holy Movenna and the sisters to the church which is called Chillesleve, and there they were baptized, and that most learned Abbess taught them the psalter. And afterward they were made most holy Bishops.
[19] But after these things the devil came in the likeness of a cleric to Chevin, and said to him: Chevin vexed by the devil Behold, Glumelath, a most wicked robber, has preceded thee in the kingdom of heaven, and has taken away thy place from thee. And Chevin answered and said: Truly that cannot be done, as it seems to me, in any way. And the enemy said: If thou believe not, send two clerics with me to the monastery of Movenna, that they may prove what I have said. Chevin answered: Be it so. And they went out together to the monastery and found Glumelath and Afin with the sisters, reading the psalms. And, seeing them, they returned, and announced to their lord that it was true. And then the devil said to Chevin: What are thy first, greatest labors of daily prayers? And what of the seven years, in which until now thou hast been fed on the roots of nettles? Behold, Movenna has taken away thy place from thee and given [it] to the most wicked robber Glumelath. Then Chevin was greatly angered, and said to his clerics: Prepare me arms, and let us go to the place of Glumelath, and let us destroy the monastery of Movenna.
[20] And they went out, to do evil, as the Angel of God had announced to holy Movenna; and Movenna, by the sign of the Cross, leads to saner things [him meditating dire things and threatening.] and he said to her: Go quickly to meet Chevin: because the devil tempts him. And the Abbess said to the sisters: Pray for us and for these brothers. And the most holy woman went out to meet him, and found him in the place which is called Surde, and many others with him. And holy Movenna saw as it were a small black boy, standing near the left foot of Chevin. And holy Movenna said to Chevin: Dost thou not see the devil at thy left foot, by whose admonition thou hast come hither from thy holy place? Sign thy heart, brother, and thy eyes diligently. And he did so. To whom Chevin answered: Truly, my sister, now I see. And holy Movenna expelled the devil from him, and signed him with her hand, and led him with her to the monastery, and prepared for him a good bath in the hardest rock, above the peaks of a little mountain b.
[21] And holy Movenna went to her cold fountain; Water blessed with her staff she draws up to the peak of the mountain. where, sitting on the accustomed nights up to the breasts in the water, she was wont to chant the whole psalter, and, a blessing being imposed with her staff, she ordered the water to follow her in the name of God the Father almighty. And she withdrew thence to the summit of the neighboring mountain, where she had prepared the bath, drawing her staff after her; and the water followed her up to the top, and by the virtue of the holy Virgin the water, drawn up, received in the bath from the depths, by the grace of God is always warm. Thereupon, up to this day, many having infirmity, in the name of the holy Virgin, through the bath receive health. And the holy Virgin said to Chevin: Behold, I offer thee a bath in thy honor, and my water shall not fail. And the bath was called Chevin, because holy Movenna gave it to the tyrant, that she might snatch him from the devil.
[22] It happened on a certain day, that one wolf came near the church, The wolf marvelously supplies the place of the calf devoured by it. where holy Movenna dwelt, and killed one calf, which the aforesaid boy, by name Luger, was guarding. And the boy came before the feet of the Abbess weeping and wailing and saying: Why have I lost my calf, O Lady! To whom the most holy woman answered: I know not, my son, where thy calf is. And the boy answered: A dog has devoured my calf, and still lies upon it. And holy Movenna said to him: Take my staff in thy hand, and tell him to come to me. And the boy went out, and found the wolf still gnawing the bones, and gave him a blow upon the back; and said to him: Movenna commands thee to come quickly to her. And the wolf rose and preceded the boy in the manner of a domestic dog. And when he had stood before the Abbess, she said to him: Why, O wretch, hast thou killed our calf? Behold, I command thee in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and holy Mary the Virgin, that thou be in the place of the calf daily, and let the cow become milk-giving, as if she had had a calf. And so it was, that the cow loved the wolf and licked him, as if he were her own calf, and the wolf guarded that cow as a shepherd. And even to this day of the race of that wolf there are wolves near the church, and for three miles guarding the cattle of the church, and all love and recognize their race, because they are smaller than other wolves, and are white on their foreheads, and always live only by hunting.
[23] In that time Alfred c, son of the king of the English, Alfred, son of the king of England, is healed. having a very great infirmity, went to serve Conald the King in Ireland. To whom the Irish said: Go to the Abbess Movenna, and ask that for thy infirmity she entreat the Lord her God. By whose intercession health will at once be restored to thee. He believed, and, the disease being expelled, by the intervention of the virgin is made whole. Health being received, he returned to the king, seeking license to return to his country. But when the King had heard and knew, that the son of the king of the English wished to return to his country, license being obtained:
he began to think whence he might have money which he ought to give him, because he did not wish that he should depart from him without gifts. Then he ordered his ministers to call his counsellors to him; from whom he sought counsel, which region he ought to plunder, from which such money might be given to the departing prince, as recompense for his service, that, the money being received, he might be able to return honorably into his country.
[24] One of them answering, whose name was Chanoncim, saying: O honorable King, lift thine ears to my counsels; for in the church of Movenna The plotted plundering and devastation of St. Moduenna's monastery there are many riches; which if thou shouldst snatch by force, thou wouldst well restore thy soldiers. Hearing these things, the prince, knowing that the grace of God was with her, fearing to go thither, said: It is known to many of us, that on all evil-doers, for love of her, God returns a heavy vengeance. And deprecating his words, the counsellor answered: If it seem lawful to you, send with me your army, that I may destroy the monastery, and restore to you all the money of the virgin Movenna. And the King said: If thou dare, go. And he assented to this, and fulfilled the purpose of the journey; and with a great army he went out. And this miracle happened at midnight, that the enemies, coming unexpectedly, devastated all the land of that Chanoncim, and snatched all his goods, he not knowing, whose land was near the monastery of holy Movenna; and he was himself a kinsman of his.
[25] And by the just judgment of God it happened, that the evil which he wished to inflict on the holy nuns, turned upon the head of the enemy; then the said monastery plundered befell himself; as it is written: His pain shall be turned upon his head, and his iniquity shall descend upon his own crown. Yet all the goods of that monastery they violently snatched, terrified by no fear of God and his Saints. And whatever was snatched thence, was given to the son of the King of the English, and he returned to his country with very many gifts. But when the sacrosanct virgin Movenna had heard that a place consecrated to God was devastated by a tyrant, her kinsman, she was greatly angered at him and said: This may God grant, that his land be always in desolation: and the church, God helping, will again be renewed. And so it was done.
[26] He put into her mind [the thought of crossing over into Britain; whither she was marvelously carried, land being torn up, supplying the office of a ship.] And then holy Movenna, moved by that which had been done, went out to the shore which is near Fochart, with Brigida and Athea and Luge. And they cried to the Lord strongly and asked him to give them help of going across the sea. But when they had prayed; behold, an Angel of the Lord descended from heaven before them, and girded round a part of the land in the circuit of those holy Virgins, and the sea went around that marked land; and took it from its place, and it was for them as a ship as far as into Britain, and there it was set near a castle, by name Daganno, as it came from Ireland under the feet of the holy Virgins, so it remains up to this day: it neither grows nor diminishes, but always the sea-water goes around it. And holy Movenna said to Brigida and to Luge: Wait here and build a church in this holy place, until we return to you. And we will go to the court of the King, that we may seek our things, which have been violently taken from us. But after these things they found the King in a village which is called Streneshalen, near the wood which is called Arderne.
[27] Returning to Ireland, the royal liberality seconding [her, she restores her church,] And when the King had seen the virgins coming to him, he was made very glad at their arrival. And when he had heard that of that church there were men and cattle, he restored all, and the King said to her: I will give thee that village with my sister the virgin, that thou mayst teach her the divine discipline. And holy Movenna answered: Let it gladly be done. And she remained there three months, and the holy virgin bade Athea teach the virgin, the King's sister, the Psalter. But holy Movenna returned to Brigida with many gifts, and the King's servants with her, until the ships were prepared. And then the Abbess and Brigida went out with her household into Ireland, and she restored her church.
[28] She converts water into wine. Now let us return to the order of the narration, the second little book now beginning. Therefore holy Movenna at last, the journey finished, came into Ireland, into the plain of Murthemne, in which the nation of the Conalli especially flourishes, of which the most holy Movenna herself, as I said, was born; in ancient times, above the other nations which are on the confines, imbued with the books of magic arts, but now, gentility being subdued, wholly made Christian by the faith of Christ through holy Movenna. Turning aside therefore to other handmaids of Christ, whom they call the daughters of Campanus, she is narrated to have done a great miracle. One of whom she had always had in her company, and now their monastery afterward received its name from another holding the primacy there: whose name was Luger. By whom, received with all joy, they did to her, as far as they could, the things which were of charity, and that which they had not, that is, drink, whereby such guests of Christ might be gladdened, God worked, through the arrival of the guests, from water a most pleasant wine. For holy Movenna, blessing a little vessel of water, brought into the house, God changed the wave of the liquid, converted by the highest virtue into the nature of wine, that to the charity of the handmaids of God what was wanting might be supplied. It is most certain to many of these servants of God, that this miracle happened among those lands; which do not produce vines, that they might take wine from them, that the handmaids of God, as I think, might have sufficiently a draught of wine, for performing the mysteries of the body of Christ.
ANNOTATA.
* Read "respondit" answered.
CAPUT III.
Moduenna visits St. Brigid; she shines with prodigies; her profuse mercy is divinely compensated; she miraculously produces waters; she is strong with the prophetic spirit; she makes a river subside.
But holy Ibar, the aforesaid Bishop, from the aforesaid islands, the Lord being guide of the journey, proceeds into the southern part of Ireland; going there to a small island, she visits St. Brigid, which they call little Ireland, in which afterward, after a glorious life, he was laid. The sheep of Christ follows the shepherd. Holy Movenna with her virgins follow the Bishop and master of salutary doctrine. Coming into the land of the Lagenians a, to which the aforesaid island also lies adjacent on the southern side: the fame of holy Brigid being heard, holy Movenna with the girls pertaining to her, the Bishop permitting, turned aside to visit her. With whom she dwelt no small time, humbly casting herself down; and as much indeed as she humbled herself above the rest, so much did the Lord exalt her above all in the merits of virtues. and, having tarried there, For she was affable, gentle, hospitable, adorned with all good morals, [and] pleased all in Christ; and, not ignorant of all the wiles of the enemy: for she was, on the right and on the left, very well fortified with spiritual arms. And the Lord gave her also the grace of healings, she shines with virtues and signs. so that, the languor of divers evils being driven off, she could heal various infirmities, and by word and prayer drive demons from possessed bodies. All the people believed in her, so much that she was daily enriched even with great gifts and presents. But reserving nothing of these to herself, she who had cast her care upon Christ, disbursed all to the poor wretched and pilgrims who came to her daily, for the sake of Christ, made poor for all and a pilgrim.
[30] From immoderate almsgiving Then, these things being discovered which holy Movenna daily bestowed, the household of holy Brigid said to her: Why dost thou so? Why dost thou expend on others the little gifts which are given thee by the Lord and by the people, and, not requiring them, neglectest even the care of thine own who pertain to thee? And some, instigated by a spirit of envy, under a shown figure of religion, said even these things: Have you not heard it written in the Apostle: He who neglects the care of his own, some vainly wishing to deter her, and especially of his domestics, has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel: behold the sisters who had come with thee: their provisions which they had brought with them being almost consumed, they have not sufficiency; and thou dividest the things which are theirs, perhaps to those having superfluities? To whom holy Movenna gently answered: If they have unfeigned faith in Christ, having food and clothing of the body, they will be content. For those who wish to become rich fall into the temptation and snare of the devil, and many and useless desires. If for the sake of Christ I have done that which you blame in me; he who said it is done to himself, whatever is fulfilled in his members, both can restore to you the losses which you think, and can bestow on them the reward of labor and nakedness, when he wills. What more? she persists in her purpose, She rose at once, trusting in heart that in Christ all things are possible, when he wills to help those having necessity; and lifting her eyes suddenly to the little bed, in which she was thought to rest a little: she saw, as is reported, twelve excellent garments, never before seen there, and believing them brought to her by the Lord, at once she brought them to holy Brigid, saying: and is compensated by the Lord Behold what the Lord has restored to you, have [it], and let it be for the sisters a supplement of their want. To whom holy Brigid said: The garments which are transmitted to thee by the Lord, divide among thine, as it pleases thee; for us, having more, it is not lawful to have them.
[31] She supplies a scarcity of waters, Returning therefore from holy Brigid to Bishop Ibar, she dwelt in Airdconais. Many virgins of Christ being gathered together there, they lived under the power of the Bishop, whose number daily increased, and not only the multitude of virgins and widows, but also queens and very many matrons daily flowed together to them. The mistress of all goodness, holy Movenna, exhorted all with the most healthful precepts of a whole life, by words as well as examples. It happened then in another year among those lands, the excessive heat of summer compelling, that the moist supplies of waters were wanting to the peoples; so that not only the little pools or cisterns were dried up, but also the fountain-streams flowed less. The sisters therefore with holy Movenna, who had no license of ranging about, felt the loss of the scarcity of waters: for not only for domestic necessities, but also for those thirsting, nay for those desiring to refresh the spirit, the satisfactions of waters had been wanting. Seeing these things, holy Movenna, a cistern being miraculously filled. moved by the injury of others and following the example of holy Elijah, entreats a fountain of the waters of life, in exchange for
the transitory waters, and on that night in which she poured out prayer to the Lord for obtaining waters, the cistern being filled with waters in the night, an abundance of waters appeared in the morning. And such a miracle of holy Movenna was published among many peoples, so that daily unceasingly they came to her, not only persons of the female sex, but also especially princes, to whom it was the greatest honor and dignity, if they deserved to receive the blessing of the holy Virgin.
[32] Furthermore the prophetic spirit in her held the primacy among her other virtues, The prophetic spirit in her so that she frequently foretold things to come and the outcome always proved her predictions; as also can be understood in this which follows. On another day, of the neighbors the daughter of a certain one, commended by the Bishop, is brought to holy Movenna, that she might rear her with the other virgins in the fear of God and in monastic disciplines. Who being received, and dismissed with the sisters, holy Movenna said to the virgins: This little daughter, brought to us at this hour, we ought to rear even more diligently than the rest; for on her account, in [its] time necessity will compel us to migrate from this place. Which most certainly came to pass, as holy Movenna foretold by the spirit.
[33] For the aforesaid girl, little by little growing and coming even to the age of youth, the ancient adversary of good [men], the devil, began to agitate with a spirit of envy. proved by the prediction of future things. By whose envy, as is read, death entered into the world of lands: the evil of discord, which God detests above the six hateful things, she unceasingly always sowed. For she said to the Bishop: No one in the people now requires thee; all the gifts and presents of those who dwell in thy borders are carried to those pilgrim-women, now reckoning of no moment, that thou, doing good for the Lord's sake, broughtest those, inasmuch as they were first of all pilgrims; for they desire to be magnified and elevated, [and] how much more they judge us to be of no goodness. These and things like these, whispering with her parents and neighbors, the devil persuading, she stirred up even the school of the Bishop, and those whom she knew to be partial to herself among the people, with these venomous words. But the Bishop, as he was a most gentle man, did not lend his ear to these speeches.
[34] Hearing these things, holy Movenna said to the sisters: Behold, that which the Lord showed you concerning the little daughter, A river swelling beyond its banks, now first appears. If they begin to do these things to us together, I know that after my death you will not be able to dwell here. It is better therefore to give place to the envy of others and to go, than in such rancor of souls to perish together with the rest. All things whatsoever the Lord has here given us, must be left with them: except our common garments we will carry nothing of all our stuff b: the things which they love, let them remain with them. He whom we love and on whom we have cast our care, precedes us, and we will follow, that he may lead [us] to a place convenient for us and pleasing to himself. They set out thence, the Lord accompanying them, and holy Movenna being guide of the journey with sisters not less, as they report, than fifty: and going on the way, they come to a certain river, through which their crossing ought to have been, not so great as to impede little children or women in crossing. Staying a little, they see the crest of the river at once swell against them and boil over c, and, overflowing, flood across the banks. Beholding this, holy Movenna stays, saying:
[35] What is it that the Lord has done to us? Without doubt, our fault has caused us to have this which we see, the stream, in a manner unwonted to it, God willing, being raised against us. at Moduenna's endeavor it subsided. Let us search most diligently our consciences, if perchance in any of us the fault of a transgression be found, that, cleansing it by pious confession, she may be able to be immune from punishment. One of the sisters, answering, accusing herself, said: I confess my fault, which I foolishly committed, for which we seem, as I think, to suffer this impediment. Going out from our monastery, I saw various onions drying in the sun, and one little head from another, which I thought was ours, I carried, with which I knew, in case of pain, to anoint thine eyes in the manner of a salve. I do penance thereupon, of whatever kind thou command, only that my fault, which I alone committed, I may not make into an injury to many. To whom holy Movenna said: Carry back therefore to the house from which we came, the things which thou hast brought. If greater things which were ours, we left there for the Lord's sake, lesser things, without the leave of those with whom they were left, we ought not to have carried off. And so it was done, that, carried back to the land destined for her by the Lord, situated in the northern part of Ireland, there holy Movenna was sent to her own kindred, as it were to the sheep of the house of Israel which had perished.
ANNOTATA.
* is it "collyrii" of a salve?
CAPUT IV.
Other miracles wrought through St. Moduenna; the first Roman journey.
[36] Moduenna, having tarried a while with St. Brigid, The journey therefore being begun, Christ being companion, they proceed by the straight way under the northern pole, and coming, as they report, into the Campania of Limphi the plain of the Liffey, in whose most excellent and most level northern part the monastery of holy Brigid is now built, they come to holy Brigid, and remaining with her some days, holy Movenna always desired to hear the things which could profit her and hers in the Lord, that they might go out on a pilgrimage to Rome. My sheep hear my voice, and I give them eternal life. When the time afterward had come of going to the wished-for places, holy Movenna, like a most prudent bee laden with honey-flowing colloquies, said to holy Brigid: Give thy blessing upon us, and pray the Lord diligently for us, that he may rightly direct our way in himself, and by his mercy lead [us] unharmed to the destined places.
[37] To whom holy Brigid answered: Almighty God keep you in the way by which you go, her blessing being asked, she departs, that you may prosperously come to the desired dwellings; and she brought forth a silver vessel, from which the Irish are wont to draw drink for princes, which they call escra, saying: Receive a little gift from my hand which I give thee, that from it there may be some profit to thee, and to the sisters of Christ who are with thee. Holy Movenna therefore receives the vessel, daring in nothing to contradict, nor did she wish [to]: but the blessing being received from holy Brigid, a silver vessel offered by Brigid. she was unwilling to carry anything of the present things, but, all the sisters being saluted, again, as if forgetting something, she enters within the house, and puts back the aforesaid vessel there in a safer place, where it could be kept, and not immediately seen. Then, all being saluted again, they proceed on the desired way, and at last arrive. And [it being secretly put back by Moduenna,] They were inscribed by the Lord, I believe, by the eternal rewarder, as those about to receive some reward, my sister holy Movenna herself, by fraternal charity interceding. Meanwhile, some days being passed, the aforesaid silver vessel is found, and how it happened is announced to holy Brigid. Who is reported to have answered those announcing [it]: The vessel which we have bestowed into God's treasury, it is not lawful for us to have for our use, and lest concerning this any supplication or doubt come into the mind of the weaker, let the Lord lead the vessel to what place he will.
[38] It must be sent into the river which is contiguous to us, and let the Lord, as he shall will, and as the merit of holy Movenna shall be, it is put by Brigid into the river do what pleases him. And so, as they most certainly affirm, who thus have [it] anciently handed down to them, so it was done: the vessel was sent into the river by name Life Liffey, which flows into the eastern Irish sea, and, the Lord preserving and carrying [it], in whatever manner it was found by Ronan the Bishop, brother of Movenna, as opinion has, at the head of the shore, as the Scots name the place, Stanniriba, and marvelously carried through the waters to Moduenna. which, bursting from the eastern Scottish sea and tending around, is first extended between Bairte and the little plain of Coilgi: then up to the borders of the peoples, of the Eastern by surname, much constricted by woods and mountains, is extended in length; on whose confines, as I said above, near Mount Colim, the monastery of holy Movenna is placed. The Bishop, marveling at this find with himself, brought the vessel to holy Movenna. Which being recognized, all glorified God, in such a deed recognizing a gift transmitted to her by the Lord. Between the monastery of holy Movenna and that of holy Brigid, there is a journey of five or six days, even for those who go by land by the straight way without the sea, as we frequently prove. And such a miracle, as it seems to me, is to be reckoned to both. For what the undoubted faith of holy Brigid believed, that is, that, Christ preserving [it], the vessel would not perish, this both the merit of the humility of holy Movenna, and the true contempt of all things in her, deserved to accomplish, that she might have, as a vessel properly sent to her by the Lord, the vessel which for the Lord's sake she left put back in the chamber. And what she wished to conceal from human praise, God afterward manifested by a clear miracle.
[39] But after these things holy Movenna and Brigid went out on a pilgrimage, She sets out for Rome with St. Brigid. and sought Rome. Who when they had come into Britain to Arderne, Athea and Ite proceeded together with the Abbess. And after they returned from Rome, Brigid went out to her country in Ireland. But the other virgins remained together in the aforesaid wood, in the former place, three years. Then holy Movenna said to them: Into that wood I will go near you, and I will build another place. And she did so: and holy Movenna and Athea dwelt together three years. But Ite and Osid remained in the first place.
[40] A girl submerged three days in water But on a certain day Ite said to her girl Osid b: Carry this volume to holy Movenna. The girl went out with the volume. And when she had come to a certain water, to cross the bridge (for it was one piece of wood), she fell in the middle of the river, and was plunged into the deep. But on the third day Ite proceeded to Movenna and found her near the river. For she too had gone out to seek the girl. And Ite asked where the girl was. But she answered: I know not truly. And Ite said: Three days ago I sent her with a volume; and I marvel greatly why she has not returned; and she answered: I have not seen her. Let us go and seek her. But there were shepherds near them, who said: We saw her three days ago going to the bridge, and beyond we saw her not. Then holy Movenna said: Truly she is plunged in the water: let us go and seek her in the river. And when they came to the river, they cried to
God, tears being shed, and said: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, by the intercession of thy holy Mother and of St. Peter and Paul and Andrew and all the Saints, restore to us our girl.
[41] she recalls [her to life.] And the prayer being completed, holy Movenna said: In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I command thee, girl, that thou answer us, if thou art in that water. And exclaiming with a loud voice, mingled with tears, thrice she called Osid. The prayer scarcely finished, the girl answered in the deep water, and said: Behold me, behold me, Lady. And holy Movenna said to her: Rise in the name of the Lord, and come out. And she rose at once, and came to her, and the holy Virgin signed her, and delivered [her] into the hand of Ite, and said: Behold the girl, remain in peace, because it is not lawful for me to remain with you; for I will go to Ireland to visit the church. The Virgins answered, saying: Truly we too will go with thee and will by no means let thee [go]. And after these things they all went out together across the sea into Ireland and remained there nearly seven years.
[42] The calf snatched by the wolf On another day, the calves of the sisters pasturing in some little field near the mountain, an onrush of wolves burst from the woods, and, the calves being dispersed in flight, the most rapacious wolves snatch one of them, and, long pursued, inasmuch as it was snatched through the woods, darkness coming on, it did not appear. The sisters relate these things in the ears of holy Movenna, complaining of what had happened. To whom she said: Have faith in Christ and be secure in mind; under whose power even the beasts live, [and] he can keep the calf sound among the teeth of the wolves, who once snatched Daniel the Prophet from the mouth of the lions: for on this account the wolves snatched the calf, that they may more marvelously restore it untouched, and on the morrow, God willing, bring it back to you sound. So, the morning being come, all seeing [it], they bring [it back unharmed.] the wolves brought back the same calf, snatched by them the day before, sound and unwounded, as if it had not gone out from the pastures elsewhere. Who does not know, that by the prayers of holy Movenna the calf was preserved unharmed among the rapacious beasts: not because care is greatly to the Lord about cattle; but because he wishes to magnify his Saints in great things, so also in the least, that they may never cease to love him, whom they believe able to do all things whatsoever he wills.
ANNOTATA.
CAPUT V.
Her remaining miracles.
[43] A stone converted into salt. At a certain juncture of time, most wicked men, sometimes penetrating the region by robbery, found a certain woman coming not far from the monastery. To whom, asking whence she had come, or whither she wished to go out, trembling she answered: I come not from far, and I must hasten to holy Movenna. To whom again, mocking, they say: We are not wealthy in this land: tell Movenna, let her not be angry at us; to whom so much money is transmitted from every side, yet carry to her our little offering which we now have, which we believe can persevere a long time, if she can make fruit with it; and, one little stone being seized of those stones which were present, and which could be carried by her, they permit the wretched woman to depart: and the burden being placed on her shoulders, they adjure her not to set down the burden from her neck elsewhere, except in the presence of holy Movenna. Coming thither, and the burden being set down before the holy Virgin, they find the imposed hardest stone at once transmuted into the nature of salt. For what the unbelievers had done, mocking the virtue of God, the heavenly virtue marvelously changed. For it was a rock of scandal and a stone of offense, to those not believing the virtue of God; but their hardness is transmuted into the nature of salt, when to the faithful the virtue is shown, laid open, which leads their souls into destruction, and others into eternal life.
[44] There was another handmaid of Christ, by name Suil, dwelling not so far from the monastery of holy Movenna. The food of a poor woman Whose little monastery still stands there, to whom victuals were carried daily first of all by holy Movenna. But it happened on another day, that one of holy Movenna's sisters, an old woman, carrying victuals to the aforesaid Suil, met on the way most wicked robbers, and, the victuals being snatched from her by force, they let her go out empty. Returning to holy Movenna, she relates what had happened. To whom holy Movenna is reported to have answered: The reward of thy labor and devotion remains to thee entire in heaven, and untouched by the robbers. But also this, which those most wicked [men] snatched, the Lord can preserve, and, untouched by them, restore when he wills. After these things, those robbers, seeking through the desert with their little prey the pathless places, began to be ignorant of the way, in that land in which they were most skilled; and they could find or know no way.
[45] But the divine virtue blinded them, therefore they could not recognize earthly things. snatched by robbers and marvelously restored. For three continuous days, as they report, wandering in the woods, of the enemies whom they knew to be in that confine, but thought to have passed by, they understand themselves to be within the borders. Therefore, though late, the wretches, by divine nod, perceiving themselves to be constrained for the fault which they had committed, confess to one another their offense, and promise to do penance at the judgment of holy Movenna, if the Lord should open their eyes to recognize the right way. And in that hour, their eyes being opened, they understand themselves to be in a place near the monastery of the sisters of Christ. Then, coming to the monastery, first they restore untouched the things which they carried off from them, according to the prophecy of holy Movenna. For a sudden stupor of the unknown way struck their minds, and the suspicion of adversaries at every hour did not permit them, the Lord willing, even to eat, though desirous. Therefore, recognizing their fault, they confess their error, and, their faces prostrate to the earth, promise to fulfill the penance enjoined on them; and the remedy of their wounds being received, they returned to their way, promising that they would after this never do robberies, even if the Lord should grant the same [men] to live a long time.
[46] A daughter dead, and a boy, restored to life. Many marvels besides these, which the Lord worked through holy Movenna, they most certainly also affirm; that a daughter lately coming to the faith of Christ, and by a sudden infirmity oppressed by death, by a very long prayer of holy Movenna, the Lord restored to life. And she who was dead, led to burial, raised by the prayers of holy Movenna, for many times afterward, as they report, remained in life. From the mouth of the Lord we hear daily, that even the miracles which seem incredible to men are to be done through his Saints; to whom first of all, going to preach, he commands to cleanse lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons, and the rest, which the consequent reading of the divine word demonstrates. And again: He who believes in me, the works which I do, he shall do, and greater than these shall he do; though in this testimony some wish to understand, that this can more be fulfilled spiritually through the Saints, in those who once are cleansed or resuscitated while they so remain, that they never die again, but so live unto eternal life. They narrate also similarly here a marvel done through holy Movenna by the Lord; that another boy, not believing but denying, that, as we said above, [it] was a divine gift, was at once struck with sudden death, and by the prayers of holy Movenna again restored [and] given back to life a.
[47] The same is narrated concerning a slain calf. They relate likewise also another miracle of holy Movenna done in the house of a certain man of the neighbors, by name Deneth, who at her arrival and that of the other good persons accompanying her, is narrated to have slain his calf which he had. For he had not great means; but in his heart he had placed abundant charity. And this being discovered, which that man did, holy Movenna promised him that the Lord would in the future recompense him doing well, [him] preparing a refreshment at the arrival of the guests of Christ. This therefore they also confirm [by] the unheard-of sign present there, that on the morrow a calf was found of the same age and color, with its mother, such as that one also which had been slain for the guests the day before, so that up to today they affirm [it] to be one and the same calf, which both slain the day before and on the morrow found alive with its mother they report b. Such virtue also is published through holy Movenna. For what is incredible, God, willing either to reintegrate things consumed, can in all things show his virtue, either make a similar animal from any matter whatever, or from elsewhere, [he] who made all things to be from nothing, and will repair the bodies of all men, consumed by whatever death, in the resurrection.
[48] At another time the aforesaid man, with whom happened that which we have narrated of the calf, Wondrous [things of Moduenna] found in another little field of his holy Movenna with her girls Athea and Ite and Osid c, on the day of rest. They narrate therefore most certainly of holy Movenna, that after, returning from the pilgrimage of Rome d, she had come into the land of her holy kindred, she never beheld the male sex. But when the necessity of setting out elsewhere compelled [her] to visit the sick, or to loose the bound by prayers or gifts, the custody of the eyes. or to redeem captives, they affirm that she went forth in the night; but if necessity compelled, her face covered with a mantle, to meet or address men, always wishing to leave an example to the younger sisters, lest they should in any way allow death to enter to the soul through the windows the eyes. For she was wont, as I said before, to walk more in the night in that land, lest she should mingle herself with human glances by day, and, the sun coming on, if there were not a fit house near at hand for remaining, even under a certain shade in another secret place, or in a pavilion defending [her] from heat or rain, she remained.
[49] The aforesaid man therefore asked her, most diligently adjuring [her] by God, Blessing an empty vessel, that they would come with him to his little house which he had remote, affirming that in his possession there was nothing which would impede the servants of Christ from coming to him. After some words, the petition being obtained, he preceding, they follow him to his house; and the feet of the virgins of Christ being washed with pious service, and the table set, a little supper is ministered. And drink of ale is mixed. These being finished, she blessed both the house and all the furniture of the host; saying this also, as they report: Show me, she says, also the ale-vessel, from which you brought us drink, that we may bless it too more diligently. she fills it with drink so abundantly, Which being set before [her], the little that remained within, she diligently blessed; and in the virtue of this blessing, the little which was in the vessel had grown up to the very rim of the vessel. She said again to the host: If any
good men, whomsoever thou wilt, thou shalt have invited, thou shalt have drink for them sufficiently from this vessel, if thou believe. A little substance thou hast had until now; but now the Lord wishes to multiply good things to thee, and to thy heirs after thee, because thou hast always, even beyond thy means, been glad in receiving the guests of Christ. For many, as the Apostle says, by these things pleased God, having received Angels into hospitality.
[50] After the blessing of holy Movenna, that it sufficed for many guests. having departed thence, that aforesaid man called King Bar f, to whom he belonged, passing near by him, saying: Come, my Lord, to the little house of thy servant; for now I have prepared a dinner, such as I had. To whom the King is reported to have answered: We are many, as thou seest, and we have a supper prepared somewhere. The man said again: I do not wish to impede you from going out to what is prepared; but first you will go out with me to taste even a little. What more? The King, coming with all the multitude to his house, dinner being first set on, they drank all that day and night, from only that aforesaid vessel, the drink blessed by holy Movenna; the following day and night likewise they drank. And as much of the ale as, they report, the cupbearer drew, so much within the blessing redounded. This being known, all greatly marveled, magnifying the virtue of holy Movenna in such a deed, knowing that she performed many marvels besides these, the Lord bestowing. Daily it seems fulfilled, which Scripture says: By the blessing of the just the city shall be exalted. And again: The blessing of the Lord makes rich. That aforesaid man after the blessing of holy Movenna, always had it better and better, and by his generation, afterward obtained the primacy in the people for a long time, because he deserved to receive the blessing of holy Movenna.
ANNOTATA.
CAPUT VI.
The virtues of St. Moduenna; the second Roman journey; the building of many churches; miracles; colloquy of the Angels.
[51] Moduenna's vigils, prayers, maceration of the body, For many years therefore holy Movenna, near the aforesaid mountain with her virgins, a monastery being built, carried on a holy warfare a. But how much she afflicted her little body in vigils and prayers, unceasingly even with many labors; how much, attenuating her flesh by most frequent fasts, and meanwhile by an excessive assiduity of reading, she macerated [it]; in what spiritual battles against demons she sweated; or how many and what most frequent snares she endured from the enemy; miracles with how great coruscations of miracles she shone, no one of men could fully number. For she had concealed all things from the notice of men, as far as she could, except when a certain necessity compelled them to be manifested to men. For she so followed the footsteps of the former hermits and anchorites, that she even plowed the earth with her own feet with a hoe, and afterward exercised the sown land herself, as far as she could bear.
[52] For she manfully [had] a fervent spirit and holy desire, and it was her custom to dwell in desert places, an anchoretic life, perfect in every point; especially near the mountains, and upon the naked rock with naked limbs to pass the night in vigils and prayers, or to chant the psalter in water up to the shoulders, and she bore a manly spirit in the female sex; and instead of woolen or linen garments, as it were a certain daughter of Elijah and disciple of John the Baptist, she used a sheepskin. Her hoe therefore and spade, in which she worked in her monastery, are, instead of ivory bones, more reverently kept up to today. But her pelisse and sheepskin, preserved there, and deservedly much more precious than silks, we saw likewise laid up there; and her wooden comb, with which she combed her head once, as is reported, in the year, that is on the Lord's Supper, or when the utmost necessity of infirmity compelled, they, honorably preserving, have with them, deservedly more precious than if they had been made of gold.
[53] But as much as she, humbling herself for Christ, had deformed herself, public veneration; so much did the Lord exalt her by the grace of virtues. For in the progress of time the most noble virgins of Christ began to be visited by all the nations round about, and to be honored with many honors. Even Queens, the fame of holy Movenna being heard, laying aside their royal loftiness, came to her daily, humbly prostrate to the earth, and entreated, that by her command, if it were possible, or even by [her] colloquy, they might be enriched. Daily the number of the virgins of Christ increased, and not only from the near, but also from the far regions many alms were daily sent, whether in beasts of burden and cattle, or in an abundance of food and garments, according to the custom of those lands; all which the holy Virgin expended on the necessities of the poor and pilgrims, widows and orphans, scarcely leaving the things which might be for the solace of the sick of the first and last age.
[54] At another time, hunger persisting, the sisters of the Saint were led near to death; she feeds her famished sisters, food being divinely supplied. but of their discomfort they dared not, nor wished, to say anything. But holy Movenna held the primacy even in such virtue above all; for she herself, what human nature does not sustain, was almost without desire of food, and always enjoyed food, namely the sweet colloquy of Christ. A man of God therefore dares, as is reported, coming to holy Movenna, to say: Why do the sisters of Christ die, thou being present, consumed by hunger? For if thou wilt, thou canst, God helping, more quickly relieve them. For it is much better, that through thee they may be able to live, who serve Christ daily all the time of their life. What more? As if suffused with a blush, she ordered very many vessels to be prepared by the sisters, and all to be put back in a fit place, [and] blessing each, she prayed to Christ; and the following night after these things, having entered the oratory, she poured out prayers to the Lord in vigils, trusting in him who said: Ask, and it shall be given you, and the rest. That he who without ceasing prepares his gifts for the whole world, might bestow food even on his private handmaids, who had cast their care on him alone. Wonderful to say, on the next morrow, all the vessels, as is reported, were found full, which on the preceding evening were left empty. We see now the gifts of the Holy Spirit bestowed without acceptance of persons, but not merited without the grace of merits. For he who worked in Elisha, once a very great Prophet, did similar things through a certain monk Benedict, whose life and virtues are described by St. Gregory the Pope b. Now too through his handmaid Movenna, though set in the farthest borders of the lands, he does not disdain to do them, that from the rising of the sun to its setting his praiseworthy name may be magnified. For in Christ there is neither male nor female, but all things in all is Christ.
[55] She seeks Rome again with five other companions. But after these things, the journey being begun, Christ being companion, the holy virgins crossed the sea into Scotia, going to St. Andrew, again crossed over into Britain and built a church in honor of St. Michael the Archangel on the peak of the mountain, which is now called Edeneburd. For there were five virgins, whose names are these: the most holy Abbess Movenna, Athea, and Ede, Osid, and Lazar: and they dwelt there five years. And thence they set out, seeking the thresholds of the holy Apostles, namely Peter and Paul, and Andrew, that, helped by their prayers, they might be able to ascend the kingdom of heaven. But when they had come to the river which is called Trent, which runs down near the Bald Mountain, which in the English tongue is called Calvechif, She builds a church, they built there a church, which place, consecrated to God and St. Andrew, is called Andreseie: because it is a small island, and then was deserted, and there dwelt holy Movenna, Lazar, and Athea seven years. But Ede and Osid dwelt in the former place in Arderne, the aforesaid wood; and after they returned from Rome, on the other side of the water they built a church in honor of St. Peter and Paul at the root of the Bald Mountain. And God did through them many miracles near the aforesaid river. But because holy Movenna had obtained such favor of the people, she wished then to remain there, and said to her sisters:
[56] she visits the sisters in Ireland; I wish, God permitting, to visit my sisters in Ireland. The virgins answered with weeping, saying: We too will go with thee. She said: Let it not be so, but with the grace of God remain here, and, God willing, await with joy my bones with your bones. And they said: If it will be so, thou hast given us a great gift. And holy Movenna said: For forty days and nights remain with me here, that we may make a prayer, and the Lord Jesus Christ may accomplish what we have foretold, and his will be done. And when the prayer of the virgins was completed, an Angel of the Lord appeared to them, and said: Be it to you as you have asked. And after the Abbess had blessed them, she proceeded to Ireland; but Athea remained in Andreseia, as holy Movenna had commanded her. For the Abbess was [her] kinswoman; therefore they asked that she should remain with them.
[57] she founds many churches. But still gentility and the greatest error was held through all the English land. The most holy virgin of almighty God, Movenna, built in the name of God many churches; some in Ireland, whose names are these: that is Focarde, then Cehllescleve, and after Cheveglas; and she built one church in Surde, and another in Armagh, as also in Meath: and many c others, whose names are not here written. But this holy Virgin was vigorous and flourished with divine virtues and miracles, At what time Moduenna flourished; other churches built by her, and was in the time of Celestine d the Pope, who sent St. Patrick to the Irish nations, set under the mist of sins and ignorance. But this meanwhile. In the English land she founded certain churches; because in that time, as I said, they were held in the greatest darkness of gentility. In Arderne, a very great and very long wood, she built three churches; but a fourth in a certain island set in the aforesaid river Trent, which runs down near the Bald Mountain.
[58] One of the most illustrious of the Poets of the Scots, by name Brendem, A glass flask, the name of Moduenna being invoked, is found; a man blind of eyes from infancy, but [who] in the poetic art was foremost among all, came to a certain river by name Berba. And he, crossing in a little boat, a glass flask, which was full of wine, fell from above into the deep of the water; which, seeking a long time, they could never find, and, all hope of finding [it] being taken away, he said afterward in his little song, which he sang by word: If that flask should now be found, it must without doubt be given to holy Movenna, that she may have it with her in the ministry of the altar, [she] who has shown her merit from the deep. And while he sang these things in his own tongue, one, looking, sees the vessel sound and entire set beside him in the water, which, taking, he brought forth out of the water and afterward transmitted to holy Movenna, which God showed because of the invocation of her name e.
[59] That the Angels of the Lord had frequent assiduous conversations with holy Movenna, colloquies with Angels. is not doubtful, and that by day and night they were never wanting to her, from the time she had established the monastery up to the day of her death, except for three, as some affirm, nights, others [say] one night, which they affirm to have been always handed down to them from the beginning, and why it was so handed down, what was the cause, the following context of the word will show.
ANNOTATA.
CAPUT VII.
Brightness of conscience; familiarity with the Angels; prophecy; the third Roman journey; churches built in Scotland; foreknowledge of death; she is visited by the holy Apostles Peter and Paul; her death.
[60] On another night the sisters entered the oratory to perform there the Matin vigils, Brightness of conscience and, the prayers being at some point finished, the signal being struck, in silence holy Movenna said to the sisters: Blessed girls of the Lord, we ought not, by hastening, to neglect what on this night I see happen to you. For we ought to raise our prayers upward to Christ, as far as we can. And now beyond the roof of the oratory they cannot pass by ascending. We ought at this hour, as far as we can, to investigate all our consciences by cleansing them; for we greatly marvel that the holy guests, who were wont to visit us, do not come at the wonted time. For if our faults, of whatever kind, had not been, without doubt they would always come in the wonted manner. These things heard, all the handmaids of the Lord fell on their faces, terrified with fear at her word, [and] believed the word of the Abbess more, although they knew in their consciences that they sinned in nothing: as also the Apostles once, the Lord Christ saying to them: That one of you will betray me, are read to have answered each, saying: Is it I, Lord? For what each one had not in his heart, he truly thought the Lord to know above himself. And one of the penitents, who had lately come from the world, answered, saying: By my fault without doubt I have done these things to you. For now I remember, that, promising my penance, I forgot to confess two shoes a, which I brought from another secular man, lawfully joined to me before, and them on this night I had under my feet on account of the cold.
[61] [Moduenna shuddering at the least blemishes.] Holy Movenna said: It is better that those shoes be put into the deepest [pit] b, for which we now feel the absence of the Angels. So one of the sisters, Brignam, being called, and others with her of the sisters, she said to them: Go, and hide those shoes in some deep place, where no one can find them. They going out to fulfill the commands, they duly perform what remained of the vigils. And holy Movenna said: We ought to give thanks to almighty God from our whole heart, that our prayers, as before, can now ascend something to the regions above, and our desired guests may not fear to come to us, the matter of God's offense being cast away. Now it can openly be understood, how much she had cleansed herself from every stain of principal sin, who had felt her prayer impeded by these least things. She would not suffer greater faults to grow up, who thus wished, without any delay, to purge even the least so far.
[62] Familiarity with the Angels The sisters, returning, the command fulfilled, the door of the oratory being knocked at, see all to be in silence. And Brignam said to the sisters who had gone with her: Go, entering the dormitory, rest a little before the morning dawns. They entering, she returns to the oratory of holy Movenna, in which, the chamber being diligently shut, she was wont to persist longer in prayer upon the naked rock [and] to converse familiarly with the Angels of God in mutual conversations, as a friend speaks with a friend. And drawing near, she beholds from afar two, as it seemed to her, swans fly into heaven from the little house in which holy Movenna rested. Whom, gazing more diligently at first, she began to marvel, and, knowing [it] to be something other than the form showed, she dared not gaze longer, but, quickly falling to the earth, she began more urgently to pray the Lord, fearing lest she perish, struck with the stupor of the Angelic vision. At last therefore, trembling, she raises herself from the earth and, drawing near the little door, began gently to knock.
[63] The motion of the knocker being heard in the little house, she said: proved from the vision of Brigida, I am thy Handmaid, whom thou sentest, and we have done the things which, as we think, were commanded us. But now, shaken with fear and all my limbs trembling, I scarcely restrain my breath. To whom holy Movenna clemently answered: Sign diligently thy heart, perhaps you have found a horror of beasts or of demons, which all are wont to happen in the deserts, and can move a little the female sex. But she said, that the cause of her shaken mind was another, and did not proceed from the horror of a bodily thing; but these and these things were seen by me, and I could not, nor wished, to conceal them from thee. To whom holy Movenna said: Now I believe, that the Lord will not deprive thee of all good things, since he has revealed to thee his secrets, which are concealed from others: for he will not deprive of good things those who walk in the innocence of their heart. And now it is time, that thou dwell in thy own land [and] profit others.
[64] For to this the Lord has preserved thee, that through thee the deserts may be built and the lost mass be found, to whom St. Moduenna foretold blindness. which being found, to Christ and the Angels there may be great joy. But now know, that thou shalt lack the sight of the eyes with which thou now seest, after such a vision, having better eyes, with which thou mayst see paradise, and, like the Angels whom thou hast seen, thou shalt shine in the splendor of the firmament. But before my death tell none of such a vision. But now thou shalt hasten, as thou canst, to thy land, knowing, that of our company always going between the two monasteries, between me and thee, whether in life, or after our death, there will never happen evil or anything adverse. That this is most true, is proved up to today, [for] to those always walking the perilous and steep ways between those two monasteries, we have never heard that anything of evil happened. After these things, she, hastening to the land of her nativity, which is separated from the monastery of holy Movenna by one day's journey, a fit place being found there, up to the day of her death, deprived of the eyes of the body, so remained, as holy Movenna foretold would be.
[65] Holy Movenna had with her one of the girls, by name Lazar c, whom we mentioned above, a perfect virgin of Christ, A virgin, at Moduenna's command, having set out into Britain, as the outcome afterward proved, whom the holy Abbess, wishing to forewarn, seeing in her the industry of a most holy life, said to her: Go for Christ's sake on a pilgrimage into a foreign land, which I love, across the sea into Britain; and I will come thither, God willing, obedience seconding [her in all things.] for the Lord's sake. Proceed to the place which is called Andresid, in which we desire especially to receive the precepts of discipline. She rose to fulfill [it], saying nothing against [it] with undoubting faith. In that journey therefore this marvel happened, which the merit of obedience to holy Movenna deserved: that thus all things which were necessary to her, she always found prepared on the journey, so that of the convenience of her journey, which she undertook for Christ and obedience, nothing was wanting, which rarely happens to those who pass not only through the various perils of lands, but also through the wave-wandering seas. But coming to the sea, where the crossing from Scotia into Britain is, they found a ship prepared in the port, which led them across the sea to the destined monastery. Near which, remaining in the guest-house a long time, that aforesaid girl afterward again went out to Rome.
[66] Third Roman journey; churches built in Scotland. But when holy Movenna was a hundred and ten years old, she began to go to Rome d for the last time; for twice before she had proceeded to the aforesaid city; she had come also into Albania, that is into Scotland, in which she had built churches in the name of Christ, whose names are these. One is Chilnecase in Galuneie Galloway; but another on the peak of the mountain which is called Dundeuenel, because she was always so wont, as we have foretold, upon the naked rock with naked limbs in the nights to pray to God, who is always to be prayed to, as Scripture says: Pray without ceasing, and the rest. But a third on another mountain, Dunbreten Dumbarton. A fourth in the castle which is called Strivelin Stirling. But a fifth Dunedene, which in the English tongue is called Edenburg. For the sixth e the mountain Dunpeleder, and there she crossed the sea into Albania to St. Andrew. But after these things she went out to Aleeth, where now is a most excellent church, which she built [at] Lonfortin with a certain most holy fountain, and remained there some time, and greatly loved that place, in which at the end of her life, as they affirm, the Lord willing, she gave up her spirit.
[67] [Foreknowing her death, she summons the sisters; she is visited by the King of Scotland,] But when holy Movenna knew, the Holy Spirit revealing [it], that the exit of her life had drawn near, then she sent a messenger into Arderne to the sisters Athea, Osid, and Ede, that they should come to her into the place which is called Lonfortin in Scotland. And they came and remained with her some days. And, the last day approaching, and her infirmity being heard among the people, it brought to all the greatest grief. And there came to visit her Congal f,
who was King of Scotland g at that time, and Rotheri and Cobo and Bollan and Choilli and all the elders of the people with the rest of the multitude drawing near up to the places of the monastery. So they sent Bishop Rona h, brother of Movenna, to her, putting these words in his mouth: We beseech thee for the sake of our consanguinity (for the King himself too had a Conallian mother) and the brotherhood which we have both in flesh and in God, that thou remain with us even for one year, and leave us not as orphans in this year.
[68] she had left a wondrous longing for herself. For we believe and know, that whatsoever thou shalt ask of the Lord, thou wilt without doubt obtain from him; and we all, however many we are here, and all the people likewise with us, entreat that thou grant this petition, and whoever of us [are] Princes, or holding any principality whatever, we will each give a handmaid to the Lord for thy life; and every man of the whole people, who can go armed, will of a voluntary mind give a cow of full age: and of that money gathered together into one, thou shalt do whatever pleases thee. To whom she sends back word through the Bishop, saying these things: Blessed be you of the Lord, who, your dignity laid aside, came to visit me, sick. If you had come the day before or the day before that, perhaps the Lord in his pity would have granted, that your petition should prevail.
[69] Today I cannot acquiesce to your petition, because there have come to me guests very venerable, [About to be led to heaven by the holy Apostles Peter and Paul she is visited; a blessing being imparted] who hear our words, who are sent by the Lord to receive my soul with them, Peter and Paul I mean, whom I see to have with them a white linen cloth, wondrously adorned with gold, as it seems to me, and with them I must go out to my Lord, who sent them, Jesus Christ. But may the Lord give a reward to your arrival, namely that which you wished to give voluntarily for my life: let each one give this to the Lord for his own soul. My blessing, which you have asked, you will without doubt receive. For blessed be you of the Lord, who made heaven and earth, with wives and children, daughters and sons, and all things which pertain to you, be you enriched in all things with the blessing of God. My pelisse and sheepskin, and my other utensils, instead of treasures I leave only with you. My relics with my staff let them be carried into another land. Which, if you shall have with you, going against the enemies who come to depopulate your borders, the Lord promises you to have victory through these. But beyond the bounds of your land you ought not to go to other nations by warring, but if those nations shall wish to devastate your borders, and where necessity shall compel to fight against them, victory will always prosperously come to your aid.
[70] But to go to other nations beyond the borders of your land, and, an admonition and farewell said, she departs from life. unless a greater power compel [you], you ought not, lest perhaps the wrath of the Lord come upon you. But about my absence be not sad: for I believe without doubt that I can obtain from the Lord, of the things which profit you, no less if I go out to him, than when I was with you in the world; these and things like these diligently commanding them through the Bishop, she bade farewell to each, by their names, who, hearing these things through the announcing Bishop, their arms thrown down, all bewailed with the greatest weeping for her absence, whom they knew could aid by her prayers in all things. After these things, consolation being received, and comforted by the Bishop, the blessing of holy Movenna being received, they returned to their seats. Therefore on the same day, all things pertaining to her monastery in future being disposed beforehand, and the things foretold by the spirit, which afterward in future times came to pass in order; with these guests indeed who had come forth to meet her, on the third day of the Nones of July i she proceeded to Christ, on the seventh day from the natal of the Apostles Peter and Paul, with whom she went out to the kingdom of heaven, [she] about to reign with Christ unto the ages of ages. Amen.
ANNOTATA.
CAPUT VIII.
Moduenna's apparition and prediction after death; a dispute concerning the possession of her sacred body arisen and composed; her translation and prodigies.
[71] Moduenna, appearing after death, admonishes her [sisters concerning the keeping of silence. She foretells the death of a sister;] After the third day from her death holy Movenna showed herself in bodily sight to another of the sisters, by name Taunat a, coming from the sisters' dormitory after Compline, by I know not what cause compelling, and she saw holy Movenna standing in prayer near the cross set outside close by. Whom, recognizing, falling at her feet, she said: Lady, what dost thou bid me do? To whom she answered: Entering the house, thou shalt tell all the sisters, that the more in such a time they keep holy silence, and that their speeches be not heard to sound outside the house. Why do they so quickly forget the appointed rule, whose bounds it is by no means lawful to transgress? You ought not, my daughters, to neglect even small things, lest likewise even greater be neglected. Thou therefore, going, prepare thy journey, because thou shalt go out with me the week being passed. But she, rejoicing in such a promise, led her somewhat up to the little fountain, as they say, set in the northern part of the castle. Taunat therefore, returning to the house, announced these things to the sisters, which holy Movenna had commanded. These things heard, terrified with fear, all fell prostrate to the earth, rejoicing together and trembling at the manifestation of so great a vision. But seven days being completed, as was foretold, Taunat bade farewell to all the sisters, and, each weeping at her absence, together rejoicing at the guide of the journey, she entered, as they affirm, her chamber. And there, gathering her prayers, her soul with holy Movenna migrated to the Lord.
[72] But after the falling-asleep of holy Movenna, a great crowd had gathered from Ireland, a discord arisen among various [peoples concerning the possession of the sacred body is composed.] Scotland, and England to the place where she had died. And on account of her body they wished to make a battle b, who should take [it]. There came also Archbishop Columchille to make peace among them. The Irish said: She is our kinswoman and born of our land, and therefore we wish to bring the body to her own country. The Scots said: She is also of our race, and came to us, and made the end of her life with us, and ought to remain with us. But Athea, and those who were with her, said: For the love of God, Columchille, hear us. There have now passed … years, in which the most holy virgin said to us: My bones shall be with your bones, God willing. And we believe and hope, that it cannot be otherwise with the will of God. For that cause we came hither. And St. Columchille answered and said: To all I will give you right counsel.
[73] Let us fast today and make prayer to God, Whither it was translated. that he may give us good counsel and make peace among you. And they did so. But the morning being come, St. Columchille the Bishop said: Choose from among you eight men, four of Scotland, and of Ireland two, and other two of England. And let those of Scotland take the bier on the western side, and the other four on the eastern side, and let the Lord divide among you, whose it should be. And so it was done, that the Scots-born went out with the entire bier, and her body upon it, as it seemed to them, to the church which is called Aleecht, carrying it with haste. But the Irish and English went out with Athea, and came that day with the entire bier, and the body upon it [was] entire, near the castle which is called Strivelin, to the church which is called Eclees. And afterward they brought her body from place to place, until they came to the aforesaid place, which she chose for herself in life. For her staff too [was] placed there with her. But her pelisse and sheepskin and other utensils, instead of treasures, were brought into Ireland to the church which is called Chellescleve.
[74] After the falling-asleep of holy Movenna, as she had appointed, The column, Bia, daughter of Ailell, was the second Abbess. The third Dognidui, daughter of Mothai, son of Lilac. The fourth Diclaisre, daughter of Daisremus, son of Buissidus c, who presided over the monastery of girls fifty years. In whose time there happened in all Scotland a famous and so great a miracle. The church in the monastery of holy Movenna, when the aforesaid Abbess was living, is built of hewn planks according to the custom of the Scottish nations, because the Scots are not wont to make walls of masonry, nor to have them made. The whole church therefore being built almost entirely, again the workmen and cutters of wood go to the woods near them, to cut trees, to complete the things which were wanting to the house. And, trees being found sufficiently, they had fitted for the apparatus a longer tree, and seek a thicker [one], which on the highest ridge might contain, under itself and in itself, the summit of both walls, which in Latin we call spinata the ridge-beam [d].
[75] movable from [its place by no human machines,] And so that ridge-beam column, long sought and not found, at last in a steep and quite
surrounded with the greatest rocks, they find a tree fit for the work, and, cut with axes, all branches and roots being cut off, hewn e. For at first they thought they could somehow draw it thence by pulleys; but neither any machine of men nor the strength of oxen could move [it] even a little space, on account of the most difficult situation of the place. The workmen with the laborers return home, and tell these things which had happened to holy Dirlaisre. To whom she said: Holy Movenna lives in heaven; in whose honor a house is built on earth, she can help you.
[76] [it is believed to have been transported elsewhere by Angels through the intervention of St. Moduenna.] And so it was done, human machinery failing thence, the following night the divine virtue was present. For the aforesaid ridge-beam the Angels, without doubt sent by the Lord, transported to a level place, where it could be approached without any injury of men and beasts. The workmen, coming on the morrow, upon the way, set not far from the monastery, found the column, which they believed could never be approached through the great and most difficult wood. And this miracle being spread abroad, all who had heard glorified God, saying that they had not heard elsewhere a more marvelous thing done than what the Lord did through the merit of holy Movenna. But the workmen, exploring at leisure, whether they might detect any trace of the greatest column, there seemed to them at the top of the trees little branches broken, as it seemed to them, as if touched by the column. Thence they suspected the column had been carried through the air by the Angels. And now, that house being renewed, that aforesaid ridge-beam is reckoned among the relics f.
[77] Water At another time in the time of holy Dirlaisre, a holy Bishop, by name Fuibar, surnamed Vinuiamus, directed his journey to the monastery of holy Movenna, and, no messenger being sent before him, seemed to descend from some not so distant little hill. Which being seen and recognized, holy Dirlaisre said to the girl who ministered to her: Draw now hastily water from the fountain of holy Movenna, and fill with water the casks which are in the house, in which some ferment seems to have remained. And the vessels being filled up to the top, and the others going out of the house, she blessed each vessel, which boiling in the virtue of the blessing, she said to the girl, faithful to her above the rest: Prove of what kind is that which boils in the vessels. Who, fulfilling the commands, said: It is most perfect ale in the vessels, and the like to it I have never tasted. To whom holy Dirlaisre said: Before my death tell none of this which has happened, because the merit of holy Movenna and of the Bishop, these Saints, did these things. But lest any human flattery impute this to me, I do not wish, before my death, that any other besides thee should know [it].
[78] The Bishop therefore coming with his company, and a banquet being begun, converted into ale. Epilogue of the author. all drank such ale, so perfect, that all testified that none like it was ever found elsewhere. So glad were they made, that, unless the Bishop had prohibited, almost all would have become drunk g. Of these virtues miracles I attest by God the reader and likewise the hearer, that for me, a very wretched servant of the Lord, Conchubran h, oppressed by the burden of sin, they intercede with pious prayers to the Lord, that what, the adversary impeding, I am not able by my strength to fulfill of God's precepts as I ought, by the merits of my sisters interceding for me, I may be able to perfect before my death; that, absolved from the bonds of death by their suffrages, Christ granting, I may deserve to pass into the fellowship of the heaven-dwelling Saints, in the mansions of the perfect together with Christ, who reigns unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Ireland gives Modwenna her birth, Scotland her end, England gives her tomb, God gives the heights of heaven. The first land gave her life, but the second land her death, And the third land gave earth to earth. Take away Lamfortin, which the Conallean land brings forth. Happy Burton holds the bones of the Virgin.