Comgall

ON SAINT COMGALL

ABBOT OF BANGOR IN IRELAND.

A.D. DCI.

Comgall, Abbot of Bangor in Ireland (S.)

BY THE AUTHOR G. H.

Among the chief and more notable monasteries of the region of Ulster among the Irish, there existed that of Bangor, by S. Comgall, The monastery of Bangor, of whom here we treat, constructed in the present County of Down, not far from the Eastern sea on the right side of the estuary of Carrickfergus, whence is a very short crossing into Galloway a province of Scotland. Jocelin in the Life of S. Patrick, by us on XVII March illustrated, num. 86 of this place inserts these things: S. Patrick went round often through Ulster, and walked through it: and its inhabitants teaching attentively the Catholic faith, he turned aside sometimes for the sake of resting with his most holy company to a certain little hill, situated not far from a valley, in which afterward was constructed the Bangor monastery. Sitting therefore they beheld from the hill that valley filled with ethereal light and a multitude of the heavenly host: with their ears nonetheless drinking in the hymnody of the heavenly chant uttered by Angelic voices. All therefore seeing this great vision, built from the prophecy of S. Patrick by S. Comgall: with unanimous devotion asked S. Patrick, that in that place divinely consecrated he would build to them said: A circle of sixty years being completed, there shall be born a certain son of life, Comgall by name, which is interpreted Fair-pledge: for he shall be beloved of God and men, and on account of the beauty of his morals and merits he shall prosper, and shall reign with Christ, to be counted among his pledges. He moreover in the place foreshown by light a church of the Saints shall build, in which innumerable bands of sons of light and life he shall gather to be devoted to the service of Christ. But in the time foretold Comgall being born, and by the progress of years and virtues afterward grown up, in the aforesaid place named Bangor, a most noble monastery he erected: in which many thousands of perfect monks through the Gospel to Christ he begat and in Christ brought forth. a seminary of many monasteries, That holy place fruitful of Saints, as a vine fructifying the sweetness of odor, extended its branches even to the sea, and beyond the sea its shoots; because Ireland, Scotland, and many islands with monasteries and perfect monks its offspring filled, and even the transmarine regions. For as by the relation and writings of the Saints we have learned, one of the sons of the Bangor monastery, Luanus by name, of a hundred monasteries was the founder. chiefly through SS. Luanus and Columbanus: But another called Columbanus, founding and erecting many monasteries, of innumerable as it were monks the Father he was: who first presided over the excellent monastery of Luxeuil in Gaul, then of Bobbio beyond the Alps: where glorious by miracles manifold and resplendent he rests in peace: and so the prophecy of S. Patrick fulfilled shines forth. Of the ancient nobility of the Bangor Church it seems superfluous at present more diffusely to pursue, since it has been brilliantly described in the acts of the Saints Comgall, first Abbot of that place, and Malachy Pontiff and Legate of the Apostolic See in all Ireland.

[2] These things Jocelin in the Life of S. Patrick, in the twelfth century of Christ written. The cited disciples of S. Comgall are venerated, Luanus or Molua IV August, Columbanus XXI November. His little works and Life Thomas Sirinus published in a single tome at Louvain in the year MDCLXVII, and to it he inserted the Life of S. Molua or Luanus Abbot hitherto unedited, in its own time to be illustrated: from which it is established that of several monasteries he was the founder. But S. Bernard in the Life of S. Malachy asserts, destroyed by pirates that Luanus alone is wont to be said founder of a hundred monasteries: and of the Bangor monastery these things he adds. This once destroyed by pirates, on account of the distinction of its ancient dignity, Malachy, as one about to replant a certain paradise, embraced: and because many bodies of Saints slept there. For not to be silent of those, who in peace are buried, they say nine hundred at once on one day by pirates were slain… Malachy therefore having taken with him about ten Brethren, coming to the place began to build. and restored by S. Malachy … Moreover the oratory within a few days was completed, and thenceforth God is served in it, as in the days of old, with like devotion indeed, though not with equal number. Malachy presided over that place for some time, himself rector, himself the rule of the Brethren; created then Bishop of Connor not far from the Bangor monastery, and afterward Archbishop of Armagh, to whose Life on III November the rest will be to be elucidated.

[3] Double Acts. The Acts of S. Comgall we give double: the former, and those shorter, from a triple MS. codex, namely one left to us by Henry Fitzsimon of the Society of Jesus, another transmitted from the college of Salamanca, and a third communicated by Hugh Ward an Irish Minorite. The latter Acts, and those longer and by James Ussher in the Antiquities of the British Churches praised as sincere, we have from a certain Irish codex transmitted and we compared with those things, which Thomas Sirinus in the Commentary on the Life of S. Columbanus published. Both Acts seem sincere and written in a simple and therefore truthful style, and in the second Acts some things from the former are repeated.

[4] Some compendium of them is contained in the old Breviary of the Church of Aberdeen in Scotland, The sacred cult 10 May. into three Lessons distributed, and on this X May wont to be recited at Matins: to which this Prayer was added. O God who through B. Comgall, thy Confessor and Abbot, the Priest of thy Church from blindness to sight by baptizing didst restore; grant we beseech by his merits and intercession the true light of thy faith to understand, and the blindness of sins perpetually to avoid. On the same day X May, Richard Whitford in the English Martyrology printed about the year MDXXVI at London, these things are read: In Ireland the feast of S. Comgall the holy Abbot, whose nativity was revealed sixty years before he was born, and to another also a holy Bishop: who while he was baptized, from the earth a fountain burst forth, and to a blind Presbyter sight was restored. To the highest afterward perfection he came, and the dead ten or twelve to life he recalled, and many revelations he had, and famous for great miracles he died. On the same X May the same memory is celebrated in the MS. Florarium of the Saints, and in Grevenus in the Supplement to Usuard printed in the years MDXV and MDXXI, Ferrarius and others. The same is commemorated on the second day of January in the Scottish Menology of Camerarius, and X March in the Supplement of Molanus of the first edition to Usuard, likewise by Canisius, Dempster, Ferrarius.

[5] The time of his life and death. Of the time of his life we have only in the former Life that in the eightieth year of his age on the VI Ides of May he migrated to Christ. In the latter Life it is said that an old man on the VI Ides of May he sent forth his spirit. In the Martyrology of Tamlacht these things in the first place on X May are read: Comgall of Bangor, in the year of his age XCI, but of his Principate the year L, the third month, and the X day. The same fifty years to have presided in the Bangor monastery the former Acts have. Ussher page 956, from the Irish Annals taught, asserts, that about the year DLV or DLIX the foundation of the Bangor monastery, and DCI the death of Comgall happened: and to the said year DCI he adds in the Index, that he the death he met being LXXXV years born. We judged at one time that S. Patrick foretold his nativity about the year CCCCLVI, and after sixty years S. Comgall born about the year DXVI, and therefore if he lived LXXXV years, he departed from life in the year DCI, and the Bangor monastery was constructed in the year DLI, as in the Annals by the Four Masters it is reported Colganus asserts page 192. If more certain monuments anyone should bring forth, gladly we shall follow.

[6] mention in other Acts. The mentioned Sirinus added some Miscellanies of S. Comgall, extracted from the Acts of SS. Coemgenus, Cannicus Abbot, Carthagus or Mochudda Bishop, Mannu or Fintanus Abbot, Luanus or Molua Abbot, and Mochoemogus or Pulcherius Abbot, of which two last the Acts entire also he gave. We the Acts of Mochoemogus gave XIII March: those of S. Carthagus we give XIV May, of the others the Acts in their own time will be to be elucidated. Notker on the day IX June, with a long encomium celebrates S. Columba Abbot, and toward the end these things has: Although he had very many disciples or companions equal to his sanctity, yet one Comgall, in Latin illustrious by the name of Faustus (the preceptor of the most blessed Columbanus, the Master of the Lord and Patron of us Galli) of his virtues and merits as it were the sole, by the example of Isaac, he left heir. And S. Columbanus in Instruction 2 S. Comgall his Master under the name of Faustus alleges, and his most brilliant and most elegant doctrine for the confirmation of his sayings adduces. Other writings of his we know not to exist. Possevinus in the Sacred Apparatus asserts that he left a Method of the regular life and several Epistles, A Rule composed by him. which to the Fathers of the monasteries he had written. Moreover the Rule of S. Comgall is cited below in the greater Life num. 42 and 51. And S. Munna or Fintanus, as from his Acts Sirinus relates page 314, for some time with S. Comgall remained, reading with him and learning his Rule:

which he seems to have handed to other monks destined to erect new monasteries: nay that S. Columbanus sent into Gaul and Italy promulgated the same the said Sirinus rightly judges. Meanwhile the same S. Comgall to his own Benedictine Order ascribes Antonius Yepez at the year 557.

LIFE

From three MS. codices.

Comgall, Abbot of Bangor in Ireland (S.)

BHL Number: 1909

FROM MSS.

[1] The blessed and venerable Abbot Comgall, of the most noble Sedneus, his mother Briga was brought forth. Of whom the day before he was born, Born of his father Sedneus, his mother Briga, S. ^b Macniseus Bishop of Connor, the Holy Spirit revealing it to him, prophesied. For hearing the sound of horses and of a chariot passing by, to the bystanders he says: That chariot bears a King. This having been heard by them, with hastened step they go out to see the King; but when no one there besides Sedneus and his wife Briga, the day before his birth, what kind he would be is foretold by Macniseus. whom before they had sufficiently known, they found, to the man of God they return stupefied, saying: Holy Father, Sedneus and his wife sit alone in the chariot. Then the Bishop: Sons, says he, do not in this, which I said, esteem me a liar. For she in her womb bears a King, whom on the morrow ^c the sun now risen she shall bring forth: who in virtues the heart, in the brightness of miracles the world shall adorn: whom not only many thousands of monks, but also Kings and an innumerable multitude of peoples, as it were that through the whole night, and at his birth he is honored by heavenly light. preceding the day on which the infant was born, in the region surrounding the place of his nativity, by suitable witnesses, a great light is reported to have shone. This infant therefore divine grace from his very cradle accompanied, and with the bright gift of miracles enriched.

[2] For first when to the Holy Presbyter of his eyes, [a fountain bursting forth he is baptized by a Presbyter before blind then healed.] retaining nevertheless by memory the order of baptism, to be baptized he was led; at his coming a fountain of living water in the place, where he should have been baptized, by the virtue of our Lord Jesus Christ, at once from the earth bubbled up; that in it the holy infant, with Angels ministering, might be baptized. But the aforesaid Presbyter rejoiced by so great a miracle, with the waters of the same sacred fountain his face and eyes bathed, and trusting in the Lord his sight straightway recovered: and afterward the holy infant the name of the Trinity being invoked he baptized. And by the name Comgall, which ^e sounds dear pledge (according to which by Saint Patrick the Apostle of the Irish before ^f LX years of him, that he should so be called, was prophesied) he named him. But his parents both in the commandments of the Lord walking without complaint, and in the third grade of the Catholic Church, which is the legitimate matrimony of spouses, continently standing, their son God offered, and themselves him nourished, and as their only son they loved. But the boy grew and was strengthened in spirit, and from the sacred beginnings of his nativity was filled with divine grace.

[3] On a certain day the holy boy laboring in his own field, sleeping he appears to his mother with a fiery column, and beside a certain heap of stones after his labor reposing, upon him rushed slumber. Then his mother coming to him to visit, saw a column of fire from heaven even to him sleeping to have been stretched. Who terrified by the honor of so great a vision, knew not what she should do: to approach nearer indeed she dared not, but to leave him she would not. Trusting in the Lord therefore she stood unmoved, and what would be the end of the matter patiently awaited. At length the boy awakened, having a flaming face, says to his mother: Fear not, says he, mother, for by heavenly fire in nothing am I hurt: but see that to no one in these days this vision thou show. At a certain other time, his father laboring in his own field, he is reported to have said: This small clod of the little field do thou cultivate; but I will go and a spacious land, bearing larger and sweeter fruits, I will instantly seek. milk in a vessel after the bottom is torn away he carries: After these things with his uncles, in the cell which is called the Monastery of Comgall lodging, to the dairy-station, that milk thence he might carry, he was sent: and he returning home, and carrying a vessel full of milk, by a certain chance the bottom of that vessel fell to the ground; yet by the nod of God the milk all in the vessel without a bottom remained. O how wonderful is God in his Saints, by whose power his servant the bottom of the vessel in his bosom with him bore, but the vessel full of milk without a bottom on his shoulders even to the monastery carried. A few days after these things passed, the holy boy wishing secretly to follow the Lord calling him, laid aside the secular habit, taking up the Ecclesiastical, the restraint of worldly affairs being left: and from his father's house, to a certain skilled man of his people he migrated, [psalms and hymns he learns:] from whom psalms and hymns and the other things pertaining to boys in all subjection and patience, a virgin in mind and body, he learned.

[4] After these things the prudent youth took the habit, and ^g Fintanus the Abbot, namely a most illustrious man, dwelling in the parts of Leinster, he went to; he presides over the Bangor monastery 50 years. under whom for a great space of time with all devotion he served God. Then with the holy Abbot's license and command he returned to his country, and the Bangor monastery he constructed: where over thousands of monks in sanctity of life and rigor of rule for ^h fifty years he presided, and many miracles through him the Lord wrought, of which few we shall tell. Some wished of the Brethren, providently counseling, that he certain places, for building monasteries upon them or for fishing or any other utilities convenient, from those offering them should receive. To whom the man of God answered: Stronger is the line of many, in one place with the Leader present concordantly fighting, than through many without a Leader dispersed. At a certain time they asked him, that some to a pool, which was two days' journey distant from the monastery, for fishing he should send. To whom he said: You have the sea near you, and why in it will you not fish? They say, that never had they seen there a catch of fish. The Brethren therefore sent there nets, and sufficiently fish they took. But a contention having arisen there among certain secular men about catching the fish, the holy man removed the cause of dissensions by the word of prayer, so that rarely there afterward at least one fish was caught. But it came to pass when the Lord magnified him, other monasteries he directs: and many monasteries of monks under his hand he had, that one of the more ancient Abbots, a man of venerable life, in whose monastery he himself when younger for some time had stayed, came. But when at the table they had reclined, and rejoiced from so great fellowship; that elder began with a word of rebuke to test Abbot Comgall, that he might know whether that humility and virtue of obedience, which formerly he had had, in him remained. Who at once rising and upon the ground prostrating himself, rivulets of tears most abundantly began to pour. he rejoices being tested by another Abbot: But being asked why he wept, at length he answered: That it grieves me this most sweet passage of humility for many years not to have had.

[5] At a certain other time, when to visit it happened that, the other companions going before, he with one companion went more slowly, and the straight way deviating they turned aside to a certain little house near the way; which prayer first being made they entered, and afterward the vesper hour there they completed. But when they were there, there came to them a certain man devoted to God, and running to his house, water for washing their feet and garments that they might rest he brought, and a fire being kindled with food as he could refreshed them. But when they were so refreshed, thanks to omnipotent God and to their host, by heavenly light often illustrated he is beheld. as is the custom, they gave. And when for the weary it was time of resting, the Father commanded that the younger in a bed more carefully strewn should repose: which when he had done, the good Shepherd kept vigil. After some space of the night passed the Brother awaking, saw the splendor of an immense light to illuminate the whole house: and when his face to the depths he lowered, with no less he was surrounded by light: and this irradiation of light even to the following day endured. Then the man of God said to the Brother: See that this vision while I live to no one thou tell: which altogether he fulfilled. The day dawning, a guide the aforesaid host was even to the monastery whither they were going. A certain religious man, by name Crimthanus, the holy man's spiritual minister, who accompanied him even to the place in which by night he reposed, and was wont to close the door from outside; on a certain night wishing to explore what the man of God, the others sleeping, did, in a corner of the house, he not knowing it, hid himself. But it was the custom of S. Comgall, that his body indulged to rest, before that man departed; he would sleep. He therefore sleeping, behold the aforesaid Brother the whole house with an immense light for nearly an hour to be filled saw; S. Comgall also so quickly awaking and praying, and to himself saying with a low voice he heard; What there, O Crimthanus, dost thou? Go out, and to no one as long as I live shalt thou declare these things. Tomorrow indeed for such audacity thou shalt undergo the due judgment. At another time to the same man of God, when the Ecclesiastical order he received, on the hill of Bangor for three days and as many nights a divine light appeared. The holy Lugidius also the Bishop in the Condensian ⁱ Church the flaming hairs of his head, and the holy Angels flying about him beheld.

[6] It happened at one time that Comgall being absent one of the brethren in the monastery was sick. But at that time nothing else for daily sustenance except herbs, and certain other mean things for sustenance they had. The Brethren moved therefore by piety, The dead are raised, to some of the same order Monks, where more conveniently he could live, and chiefly on account of his kinsmen near that place dwelling, counseled to go. When therefore to a place, distant three or four miles, that sick man was sent or carried; as he reached the place, in which the monk afterward 15 years survived: he died there. But the vigils of him being celebrated according to the custom, when it was day, the body to the monastery was carried back. There came therefore his kinsmen and his blood-relations with him, and lamenting made secular exequies, all which the rest of the Brethren disturbed. But when a little after B. Comgall to the monastery returned, and the Steward humbly of the negligence toward the keeping of the sick man confessed his fault; the pious Father to the place where the corpse was coming, God most devoutly prayed, and the dead man rose again: who afterward fifteen years in that monastery survived. The same also by way of conference to the Brethren was wont to relate, that when through a certain

ladder directed to heaven with others going before him he wished to ascend, he heard a voice saying, that his Abbot Comgall did not then permit him to go. On another day too the Brethren according to custom laboring, one of them, another falling amid the labors, by labor and thirst beyond measure weighed down, falling died; and from midday until the ninth hour lifeless he lay. But the Abbot the holy one, grievously bearing the Brother by sudden death overtaken, prayed to the Lord, and forthwith the dead man to life was restored.

[7] At a certain other time, while ^k S. Columba from the island of Iona to the Bangor monastery was sailing; the third in the company of S. Columba extinguished it happened that one of his Brethren by a grievous infirmity preoccupied in the ship died. But when to the mouth of the river, by name ^l Bice, they came; the dead man among the baggage of the ship in a hidden place placing, to the monastery hastily they went, where with great joy they were received. But after they had one another in the holy kiss of peace saluted, Comgall the feet of the pilgrims washed; and then, if any beyond the number, which he saw they had, he asked. S. Columba by a certain provident dissimulation answering, said that in the ship there remained one. Then B. Comgall by the fervor of charity filled said, Let there be sent, says he, for him that with the rest by the benefit of speech and mutual recreation he may rejoice. For it behooves that you all your hands and feet after the labor of the voyage cherish: the ship too with its things shall be safe. S. Columba, knowing that for his reverence in all things Blessed Comgall was to be heard by God, said: That Brother will not come unless thou thyself go for him. Comgall without delay to the ship hastens, and the Brother at once not appearing, among the baggage to be sleeping him thinking, diligently sought: and whom alive he thought to be, dead he found. Then the man of God in himself stupefied, to the aids of accustomed prayer recurring, omnipotent God for him suppliantly besought, saying: In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ rise, and hasten to come to thy Brethren. But he as if from sleep awakened at once rose, no sign of death in himself having. and before one-eyed, But they to the monastery coming the Abbot looking back at him, and him one-eyed beholding, said: Not one-eyed or one-eyed or weak, nay in his whole body and all his members whole, to be granted to me by the Lord I asked. Who soon by the Lord was heard; For in the same hour who had been dead and raised, by the command of the man of God washing his face, an eye received better and fairer; whose keenness even in old age was not diminished.

[8] and four others. This same blessed man four others dead, by the power of God to life restored; and other miracles very many God cooperating he wrought. But in the eightieth year of his age, on the VI Ides of May he migrated to Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns one true God, unto the ages of ages. Amen.

ANNOTATA.

* MS. of R.P. Hugh Ward: finding.

ANOTHER LIFE

From an ancient MS. and the edition of Sirinus.

Comgall, Abbot of Bangor in Ireland (S.)

BHL Number: 1910

FROM MS.

CHAPTER I.

Birth, education, various dwellings, the monastery of Bangor constructed.

Dailnaraide, Born in Ulster of his father Sethna, which is over against the sea, in the Northern tract of the province of the Ulstermen, S. Abbot Comgall sprang: whose father Sethna was called, who was a soldier of the duke of Dailnaraide, and he himself in his old age begat S. Comgall. The holy Comgall now was nourished diligently in the house of his parents, very loving ^b him his parents as their only son. At a certain time, when S. Comgall was his army to war against his enemies, and Sethna the father of S. Comgall by his Lord the Duke to that war was called. But he on account of exceeding old age could not go to war; from the war which his father, he is preserved. and S. Comgall still a boy in place of his father, although he was unwilling, yet by the command of his parents to the Duke wishing to war with his own went forth. But omnipotent God, wishing to preserve his servant S. Comgall, lest either his hands or his eyes by the shedding of blood be violated; by the divine nod those enemies among themselves made peace, and B. Comgall whole in body and soul to his parents returned with his own.

[2] After these things the holy boy Comgall the secular habit forsook, Made a Cleric he cannot amend the loves of his master and the Ecclesiastical habit took up, and letters with a certain Cleric learned, who dwelt in a certain village in the country: and that Cleric by nature was frail in pleasures. But holy Comgall his Master through parables taught, of which one is: For on a certain night, when that Cleric with a woman had slept; S. Comgall praying and keeping vigil wrapped his tunic in the dung of sheep. But on the morrow his Master said to S. Comgall: O Comgall, why is thy tunic dirty? S. Comgall answered him, More perilous is it for thee, Master, to have a soul dirty than a tunic: worse indeed truly is the dung, in which thou the past night didst wrap thyself in body and soul, than this. But that Cleric not contradicting was silent, but yet his life he would not amend. Now the pious youth Comgall, seeing that his Master in error still remained, forsook him with his country, and directed his way to the Southern tract of Ireland, and entered the Province of the Leinstermen, under S. Fintanus he becomes a monk: and came to S. Fintanus the Abbot of the monastery by name Cluain-ednach, ruling in the people of Luighis, situated in the Northern tract of the Leinstermen, near the roots of mount Bladma, and S. Fintanus received B. Comgall into his congregation.

[3] And when there S. Comgall in holy conversation and a hard life was, by whose prayers he is freed from weariness, the devil cast in great weariness into his heart concerning his country and parents, bearing great and hard labor: and he confessed his temptation to the holy Father Fintanus: and the holy Father poured prayers and supplication to God for him, and there was expelled at once the devil from Comgall through the prayer of his senior. For when S. Comgall beside the cross, which is in the Western part of the monastery of Cluain-ednach, with tears had prayed; surrounded with light a supernal light shone round about him, and his heart was filled with great spiritual joy, and from that hour in all his life never weariness of spiritual things rushed upon him.

[4] foretold by S. Macnesius before his nativity: We recapitulate other things of the nativity and boyhood of S. Comgall. The holy Macnesius now the Bishop, who lies in his own city, by name Conire, which is in the region of Dailnaraide, prophesied of the nativity of S. Comgall: for when on a certain day Sethna the father of B. Comgall and his wife by name Brigh, in one chariot carried, had come through the place in which the Bishop was; he hearing the sound of the chariot said to his ministers: See who are in the chariot, because under a man in whom the grace of God abounds it sounds. The ministers now looking said to the Bishop: Lord, the soldier Sethna and his wife are carried in the chariot. To whom the holy Bishop says; Truly that woman has in her womb a son, whose glory great shall be in heaven and on earth. That now woman Brigh on the morrow the sun rising a most reverend son, whose name shall be called Comgall, shall bring forth in the town of ^c Mourne: and he great before God shall be, and in the manner of a most bright ray of the sun in Ireland shall shine: And she conceived and brought forth as said the Bishop Macnesius.

[5] [a fountain bursting forth he is baptized by a Presbyter before blind, then enlightened.] On a certain day afterward the holy infant was led to a certain Presbyter by name Fedlim, that he might baptize him, and that Presbyter for many years was blind, but yet the order of baptism by memory retained. In that place now water before there was not: but at the coming of the holy infant Comgall a fountain at once clear from the earth arose: and this hearing the blind Presbyter washed there his face, and at once were opened his eyes, and in his light after long blindness the order of baptism he reread; and giving thanks to God the holy infant the author of his health he baptized, and in the house of his parents the holy boy Comgall himself was nourished.

[6] On a certain day the blessed boy Comgall growing

he himself alone was working some little task outside, sleeping he appears to his mother with a fiery column. and lo slumber rushed upon him and he slept; but his mother visiting him, saw a fiery column reached forth from heaven even unto the holy sleeping boy; and the woman now terrified knew not what she should do, for she dared not approach the boy, and thought him to be burned by the fire: yet then she, by the divine nod patiently enduring, the holy boy awoke from sleep, having a ruddy face, and glittering eyes; and said to his mother: "See, mother, that thou tell no one too quickly what thou hast seen." She too, being silent for a time, afterward narrated to all in order what had appeared to her.

[7] At another time S. Comgall was with the Duke of Dalaradia in camp, amid the snows he is preserved untouched, and a great snow rained upon the camp on a certain night: but to the holy Comgall remaining with his own in the midst of the camp the snow in no way came or approached, but in the manner of a small castle the snow surrounded the Saint on every side: and concerning this all wondering. Then the Duke said to them: "From this day forth S. Comgall with his own shall be free from me and from all secular power: for he is the Saint of God." Afterward S. Comgall, therefore exempt from secular power, having received liberty and license, and a benediction being given by him in turn to the Duke, returned with his own to his home: and that Duke was made powerful and gracious on account of the benediction of S. Comgall.

[8] S. Comgall on a certain day and his Father were walking through their own field, his father being left, and he said to his father: "Father, we ought to desert this land with its cares." His father not consenting to him, he said again: "Do thou till this little land, dear Father: but I will go and seek for myself most diligently another land better and greater from the Lord God." Afterward he himself deserted his parents, he is received by S. Fintan. and learned letters for a time in his fatherland, then came to S. Fintan in the Province of the Leinstermen, dwelling in his monastery Cluain-edneach, and was received there.

[9] On a certain day in the aforesaid monastery Cluain-edneach a certain blind man was led to S. Comgall, his saliva enlightens a blind man: himself with his own asking from him in the name of Christ the light of his eyes. Then S. Comgall with his finger placed saliva upon his eyes in the name of Christ, and immediately the saliva of the Saint, by the grace of God, healed the eyes of the blind man, and he received light, and rejoicing in his light returned.

[10] After now much time S. Comgall was sent by S. Fintan, that he should return to his fatherland, for the cause of building cells for nourishing the servants of Christ. Then now S. Comgall still after many years was without Order, he builds the monastery of S. Kiaran, for he did not wish to receive grades: and the benediction and prayer of Father Fintan being received, S. Comgall with the disciples ordained for him began to proceed to his fatherland, and came to the holy congregation, which was in the monastery of ^d S. Kiaran in his city Cluain-Macnais, and remained there for some time in great sanctity, then proceeded to his fatherland. Catholic men gathering to him from day to day, S. Lugidus the Bishop with great persuasion ordained S. Comgall there a Deacon: he is ordained Deacon, then Priest, and after an interval of time he was ordained Priest. Afterward S. Comgall went around his fatherland, preaching to the peoples for a time the seeds of the Gospel.

[11] And S. Comgall wishing to despise fleeting things, and desiring to embrace eternal things, proceeded to the lake ^e Erne, and entered into a certain island, which is called the Custodial island; in the Custodial island he leads a strict life: and there he dwelt in a most sweet life without any solicitude concerning earthly things: and his monks after him entered into that island, and not being able to live most rigidly as their Abbot, seven of them died of hunger and cold. Hearing this the holy Fathers came to him, and asked him that for true charity he should relax a little more gently, his too great rigor, for the cause of nourishing his body for God and of preserving the Brethren in the service of Christ. But S. Comgall would not relax of his rigor for a man what for God he had begun to hold; but of the rigor of the Brethren he piously relaxed, and granted them to live and work like the other monks.

[12] After these things Blessed Comgall wished to desert all Ireland and for Christ to make pilgrimage across the sea into Britain, and there to remain: but, God granting, by the prayers and tearful entreaty of S. Lugidus the Bishop, his consecrator, and of other Saints overcome, he was retained in Ireland; and they led him out, that he should build for his fatherland cells and monasteries for God, and he constituted a great monastery, which is called Benchor in the region, he constructs the monastery of Benchor, and others: which is called the Height of the Ulstermen near the Eastern sea. And a very great multitude of monks came thither to S. Comgall, so that they could not be in one place: and thence very many cells and many monasteries not only in the region of the Ulstermen, but through the other Provinces of Ireland, and in diverse cells and monasteries three thousand monks were under the care of the holy Father Comgall; but greater and more renowned than the other places is the aforesaid monastery of Benchor, where an illustrious city was built in honor of S. Comgall.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER II.

Various miracles and the dead raised up.

[13] On a certain day when S. Comgall was there in a certain place alone, he stretched out his hands to heaven, after a fast of three days weary and thirsting, and cast his saliva on the pavement: for S. Comgall was a man of wondrous abstinence. Leprosy is wiped away by his saliva. And lo the Saint lifting his face upward into heaven, a certain leprous beggar seeking aid, came to him silently, and seeing the saliva of the Saint upon the ground, proceeded gradually, and gathered it from the pavement, and mixed it in water, and washing himself thence, full of faith, immediately was healed of his leprosy, and with joy in the morning came to S. Comgall, still not knowing it, and confessed to him what he had done. To whom the Saint said: "Go in peace, and tell no one, but give thanks to God thy Savior." But he going out narrated it much more to all.

[14] On a certain night also one young man of the Brethren, named Meldanus, his cell shines with celestial light. came to S. Comgall dwelling alone in a cell, wishing to indicate something to him. And when he had approached near, he saw the whole little house within burning with flames, and full of light in the manner of the sun: and through all the windows and openings of the dwelling the rays of the sun burst forth. Then that prudent young man, not daring to approach nearer, signed himself with the sign of the Cross of Christ, and gradually returned. But S. Comgall knowing what had been done, on the next day called that Brother to him, and says to him: "See, son, that thou tell no one in thy life, what thou hast seen," but he yet could not conceal it.

[15] Enanus a monk is raised up from death, On another day also when S. Comgall had made of boards a little bed with his own hands, that there each of the Brethren might die; one of the Brethren, named Enanus, said to him: "Holy Father, thou doest a good work for the Brethren about to die in this little couch, because it will greatly profit them for finding pardon. Would that I had deserved to migrate from this world in this little couch!" To whom S. Comgall said: "It shall be done to thee, Brother, as thou wishest: for from this little bed thou shalt go to heaven." But it befell that that Brother was sent far from the monastery of Benchor to a certain place; and dwelling there he died, and his body, S. Comgall commanding, cold was carried to the monastery of Benchor, which the holy Father Comgall after two days raised up, and that Brother himself afterward lived many years, and at the end of his life from his aforesaid little bed migrated to heaven, as S. Comgall had promised him. This Brother now, who was raised up, frequently announced to the Brethren, what he saw and heard, saying: "I was led to heaven by two Angels sent by God: his soul carried back to his body by Angels: and when I was among them in the midst of the journey, behold other Angels came to meet us saying: Carry back that soul to its body, because the servant of Christ Comgall asks from God that it be granted to him, therefore lead it back to its body, and let it remain with S. Comgall until his old age: and so it was done."

[16] Certain thieves and robbers furtively took the vegetables and fruits of the Brethren. Concerning this the Brethren grieving made a complaint to S. Comgall saying: "We labor in vain, the thieves blinded by his benediction Father, because our labor profits neither the Brethren nor the guests, the evildoers taking it from us." On the following night S. Comgall blessed the garden with the sign of the holy Cross, saying: "Blind, O Lord God almighty, the thieves coming hither, that they may wander here within, until they know their guilt, because Thou, O Lord, canst do all things." And so on that night the thieves coming hither and thither, were blinded, and going around the garden many times within, found no door or opening, that they might go out: but at the last with their loads they came into the court, becoming penitent they are made monks: and the burdens being laid down there in the sight of the monks, bending their knees they did penance, and there were made monks by S. Comgall.

[17] A certain holy and venerable old anchorite, named Critanus, Angels seen together to offer the sacrifice: was called to S. Comgall at the feast of Easter, and he himself saw on holy Easter splendid Angels beside S. Comgall offering, who touched and blessed now the altar, now the chalice, now the hands of S. Comgall, and his mouth, and his head and the oblation with him they blessed. Seeing these things the holy anchorite Critanus, after the fast greatly thirsting, said in his heart: "Would that, my

Lord, that of a certain liquor, first tasted by S. Comgall, I might extinguish my thirst!" S. Comgall knowing by the spirit of prophecy the thought of the blessed anchorite, the desire of Critanus known and fulfilled: the order of offering being consummated, entering the house, immediately tasted the liquor, and calling to himself a certain minister, named Segenus, said to him: "Carry this liquor to the holy elder Critanus thirsting much, and let him drink blessing God, and thou shalt say to him from me, that he is a faithful and patient man." And that elder for all these things gave thanks to Christ.

[18] On a certain night the Brother, who was the minister of S. Comgall, Crimacthanus by name, the cell of the praying one filled with celestial light: after he had left Father Comgall in his little cell to rest, and had closed the door from outside, went himself to the dormitory. Wishing now to explore whether the Saint slept, he returned after the midmost interval, and then the Saint was resting. When that Brother had stayed before the door of the hut, he saw after an interval a clear light filling the whole dwelling, and saw S. Comgall quicker than the word awakened, and rising with a wondrous and beautiful face, rejoicing and praying. Afterward he said to the Brother remaining outside: "O Crimacthanus, what doest thou there, be not there, but quickly depart and tell no one, what thou hast seen, and for so great audacity tomorrow a penance shall be imposed on thee." And that Brother fearful departed, and on the next day did penance.

[19] Walking on a certain day S. Comgall, there met him a certain man on the way, named Borganus, a dead boy is raised up: carrying his little son dead in his bosom, and said to S. Comgall: "O holy Father, I ask thee in the name of Christ, that thou raise up my only son: for I know that whatever thou shalt ask from God, He will give." Then S. Comgall looking into heaven prayed to the Lord, and after the prayer said to that father: "If God shall will, thy son shall live, and wait here until the holy Abbot Cannicus come to thee, and give him thy son, that he may bless him with the holy sign; for he today will come by this way." S. Cannicus coming therefore after almost one hour, that man mourning said to him: "Behold my only son is dead, I beseech thee, Lord, that thou bless him with the sign of the cross of Christ." S. Cannicus now turned to that man, looked into heaven praying, and said to him: "Thy son shall now live; for to the holy Father Comgall he is granted by God," and immediately he revived sound and strong, who was called Glassanus: and giving thanks he departed with his father.

[20] There was a certain cruel man and tyrant, hard and very malignant, of the descendants of Turtaraide, grain refused for a silver vessel, named Croidhe, whose mother was called Luch, which sounds in Latin "Mus" (Mouse). And when the Brethren of S. Comgall were in straits without grain, they said to S. Comgall: "Behold that silver vessel, which was sent to us in alms, if it please thee let it be sold for grain, that the Brethren may be able to live." Then the aforesaid tyrant Croidhe was called to S. Comgall, and the Saint said to him: "Behold a silver vessel which God sent the Brethren, and give grain for it." For he abounded in grain. But that malignant man with pride said: "What is yours, I do not want, and what is mine, you shall not have, I would now rather a Mouse should eat the grain than you." This he said of his mother. To whom angry S. Comgall said: "As thou hast said, so shall it be done to thee: for all thy grain the mice shall eat, and nothing shall profit thee." Which so was done; for two ricks, which he had, it is consumed by mice in which were fifteen wagon-loads, the mice ate, and nothing of them remained to the third day except stubble and chaff, as S. Comgall said.

[21] In the seventh year also after the monastery of Benchor was founded, the holy Father Comgall sailed into ^b Britain, wishing to visit certain Saints there, and to remain there for a time: and he constituted there a Monastery in a certain village in the region of Heth, and there remained for a time. a monastery constructed in Britain: On a certain day when S. Comgall was alone in a field working outside, he placed his chrismal upon his garment. On that day many Gentile robbers of the Picts rushed into that village, that they might seize all that was there, whether men or cattle. When therefore the Gentiles had come to S. Comgall working outside, and had seen his chrismal upon his cape; they thought that chrismal to be the God of S. Comgall, and the robbers dared not touch him for the cause of fear of their God. But the Brethren of S. Comgall with all the substance those plunderers led to their ships. But the holy Father Comgall seeing this, moved said: "The Lord is my firmament and my refuge and my deliverer": and adoring he signed heaven and earth, and the sea: and immediately the Gentiles were struck with blindness, and moreover the sea terribly swelled; so that it cast the ship onto the shore, and the bodies of the Gentiles were sharply wounded. Then they leaving all that they had seized, asked pardon with great prayers from S. Comgall. and the penitents healed: The Saint now moved with mercy, prayed for them. And they received their light, and a calm being made empty-handed they returned and infirm. Afterward S. Comgall by many holy men was led back into Ireland.

[22] It was a custom in the Monastery of the holy Father Comgall, that if anyone rebuked another, although that one were culpable or inculpable, immediately he who was rebuked should humbly bend his knees. Therefore when Father Comgall himself was on a certain island in the Northern region of Ireland, a humble monk preserved unhurt under the waters: on a certain day the Brethren navigating in the midst of a lake, the steersman of the boat rebuked one of the Brethren. That Brother immediately, caring nothing of the peril of the water, leapt from the boat that he might bend his knees before him, asking pardon: (for the little boat was narrow:) but the water forthwith swallowed that Brother. Then the Brethren coming in great sadness to S. Comgall, announced to him what had been done. To whom the holy Father without perturbation said: "God is able to preserve our Brother alive under the waters: depart, and seek him where he was devoured." The Brethren returning to the place where he was submerged, one of them who was most skilled in swimming above the waters and under the waters, sent himself into the depth of the place; and found that young man lying face to the ground, and lifted him up with himself alive and sound; and he himself was under the waters from the first hour of the day until the ninth hour: and he said before the elders: "I had nothing of molestation under the waters, but I was as if upon the dry land." And the Brethren hearing this were confirmed in humility to bear reproaches.

[23] There was in the Monastery of the holy Father Comgall a certain young man, very obedient and humble and mild, whom the Brethren surnamed the obedient one, who immediately did the commands of all, and avoided things forbidden as poison. On a certain day therefore the holy Father Comgall making a journey, another obedient one is not wetted within the marine tide: that young man with the rest was in his company. And when he had come across a certain shore, on which a very great inundation was coming, one of the Brethren rebuked the aforesaid obedient young man. But he hearing immediately fell on his face on the shore, and he himself had the shoes of S. Comgall: for that Brother had been wont much to serve the holy Father. But the Brethren not knowing that the Brother had lain there, proceeded on their way. That Brother now was last of the rest; and when they had come to the dry land from the shore, S. Comgall asked where the obedient Brother was. And when he was not found, the holy Elder said to his own: "Has any of you rebuked the Brother?" Then one confessed, that he had rebuked him. And S. Comgall commanded that the Brethren should return to seek him: but as they hastened the inundation of the sea met them, and they found the Brother prostrate on the shore, and the sea filling the whole shore: but to him, by the breadth of a house between itself and the land, it did not come. And the Brethren rousing him, he came with them to S. Comgall. The holy Father with him and the rest of the Brethren gave praise to God.

[24] a boy raised up choosing to die gives up his spirit: On a certain day when S. Comgall was on a journey; a certain boy in the Monastery died by a sudden death, and on the same day S. Comgall came to the Monastery. And when this was announced to him, he said: "It is my fault that the little boy in my Monastery before time suddenly died": and saying this he proceeded to the place where the cold little body was. And when he had prayed there, the dead one revived. And the holy Father said to him: "Dost thou wish, little son, to remain in this life?" And when the pious boy had chosen to die, S. Comgall blessed him, and thus he gave up the Spirit in peace.

[25] A certain secular man earnestly asked S. Comgall, that he would receive some possession of his in oblation; but the man of God would not accept. But at the last when he was troublesome to him, he said to him: "Why dost thou wish to cast thy leprosy upon me?" That man now struck by this word, angry departed. Likewise an iniquitous King came to S. Comgall, gifts offered by the impious are rejected having a little casket full of gold and silver, that he might offer it to him. But the King standing before the door of the place, sent this by a messenger to S. Comgall: but the holy man did not even deign with his eyes to look at the casket, saying: "Why does the sinner wish to pour out his sins upon us? let him have his own iniquities, and the fruit of them." Thence the King thus confounded with his casket departed.

[26] There came once to the Monastery of S. Comgall a man of venerable life, ^c S. Finbarrus the Bishop, who lies in many miracles in his city Machbile: and Father Comgall with his Brethren rejoiced at the coming of so great and such a guest. for S. Finbarrus milk obtained from heaven: But the Bishop and Comgall supping with their own, someone indicated to S. Comgall, that the Bishop wished to drink a little milk on account of his infirmity. Now bread and water and vegetables only were at that supper: for milk and the other foods in the Monastery of S. Comgall were before unknown in sight and taste. Then S. Comgall, knowing that there was no milk in the Monastery, sent to the cellar;

and there was found there a vessel full of the best milk, so great that it would suffice for all; and it being placed before the Bishop he commanded it to be divided to all. The vessel being now carried back to the cellar, it no longer appeared: afterward, the Bishop and other Saints persuading, by reason of charity milk was received for the old and infirm in the Monastery of S. Comgall. and permitted to the old and infirm.

[27] A certain boy was learning to write, but no one could teach him, because what he wrote could scarcely be recognized, whether the hand of a man or the talon of a bird had drawn it; the art of writing conferred by his benediction. and so it was for many days. At last coming to S. Comgall, the holy man blessed his eyes and hands, and forthwith his writing was bettered, so that he surpassed the other scribes, and in that very art he was an author and teacher in his life.

[28] On a certain night when the Brethren had assembled to the church, S. Comgall said to them: the soul of S. Finnbarrus seen to be carried to heaven. "Let us pray, dearest ones, for the soul of our Father Finnbarrus the Bishop, which now to heaven by the Angels is carried," and it was found on the next day, as the holy most pious Father Comgall foretold.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER III.

Others raised from the dead: various miracles: disease, death, burial.

[29] At another time, when S. Columba had sailed, one of the Brethren in the ship died, and when they had come to the harbor, which is called Inivir-Beg, they hastened from the ship to the Monastery of S. Comgall, and with joy were received by him: and the elder Comgall himself washed their feet, and asked them saying: "Is there any of you outside?" To whom S. Columba said: "One remained to guard the ship and the baggage." the dead one is raised up: Comgall said: "Let the Brother come to us, and the ship with the baggage will be well guarded." S. Columba now foreseeing the virtue of S. Comgall, said: "That brother will not come from the ship unless thou thyself call him." Then Father Comgall proceeded to the ship, and finding the Brother in the ship dead, prayed to God for him, and said: "In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ rise, son, and come to thy Brethren." At this voice now he rose as if from sleep; he namely was one-eyed. Walking to the Monastery S. Comgall himself, and that with sound eyes, who had been one-eyed: saw that he had been one-eyed: and said: "Did I ask a one-eyed one from the Lord my God?" and he said to the Brother: "Wash, brother, thy face in water." But water was not there beside them, but by the nod of God at the word of the Saint a fountain burst from the earth there, and his face being washed thence the eye had sight, and that eye was more beautiful and clearer than the other, and its keenness was not diminished in old age. The Brethren seeing these miracles, their mind was kindled in the love of God.

[30] On a certain day the Brethren working, one of them laboring much died, another dead one is raised up: and from the midday hour until the ninth hour lay lifeless. But S. Comgall bearing ill the sudden death of his Brother, prayed to God, and raised him up, and he came with the Brethren sound to his cell.

[31] desired food is received from heaven: Coming once S. Columba to S. Comgall, they entered the Church, and celebrated there their Hours: then returning to the refectory they began to sup. Then S. Comgall commanded a certain Brother to bring a certain food, which was not in the Monastery. But he, not delaying, went out to the cellar, and found by the grace of God what the Saint commanded to be brought: and carried it to the Saints. The servants of God taking it gave thanks to God: but S. Columba understanding that to be a gift of God, said to S. Comgall: "Food, holy Father, is not imprudently to be taken or received: for not by a man is it sacred, but by an Angel of God ministering it is prepared." But the rest knowing this said: "Blessed be God in His gifts."

[32] On another day when the Saints of Christ, that is, Comgall and Columba sat at table, a demon is driven from his cook, they saw a demon soberly sitting in the seat of his cook. Then S. Columba said: "What seest thou, Father Comgall?" S. Comgall said: "I see a demon sitting." S. Columba said: "Now we will prove what kind your cook is, in whose seat a demon sits." The cook now called came, and seeing the demon in his seat, rebuked him with grim eyes, saying: "Most unhappy demon, what doest thou here? By what madness sittest thou in our seat? certainly I know not myself from my youth to have consented to thee, otherwise do thou now bring it forth: therefore flee at once into the deep of the sea, or into the desert where thou canst harm no one." And immediately the demon saying nothing departed. Then S. Comgall and S. Columba did penance, that they had wished to hold the Brother culpable through a demoniac illusion. But the rest were edified in him.

[33] there is walking upon the strait. On a certain day for some necessity S. Comgall said to one of the Brethren: "Quickly by a straight path, Brother, hasten across the strait." Then the obedient brother, delaying nothing, walked across the strait with dry feet, and unharmed returned to S. Comgall. The rest knowing this were strengthened in humility.

[34] the smith's art infused into one not knowing it. On another day, when the smith of the Monastery was not near, S. Comgall said to one of the Brethren: "Go, Brother, into the workshop of the smith, and make us a gridiron for roasting fish": and the holy Father blessed the hands of that Brother. Then the obedient Brother, as if he had learned this art from boyhood, made in one day a most excellent gridiron, and other utensils.

[35] a cymbal is sent by an Angel. The sister of S. Comgall had holy sons, who far from S. Comgall dwelt in their cell: and those Saints sent to S. Comgall the brother of their mother, that he might give them a cymbal. Then the benign bestower Comgall sent them a cymbal, namely an Angel carrying it. Those saints receiving the cymbal from the Angel of God, gave thanks to their Savior Jesus Christ.

[36] saliva turned into a golden ring: A certain poor man came to S. Comgall, asking from him something in alms. Then the most blessed Comgall, having nothing to give him, cast his saliva, weary from prayer, into the bosom of the poor man, and immediately it was turned into gold: and it became a ring in the bosom of the poor man, according to the will of the man of God, in which were four scruples and a half. That man rejoicing went out, and narrated all that had befallen him.

[37] a burning stone carried by an unhurt hand: The holy Father Comgall once said to the obedient Brother, that he should carry a burning stone from the fire to him: and that Brother holding the stone burning from the fire, carried it with unhurt hand to the most pious and most holy Father Comgall, giving glory to God most high.

[38] swans fly up of their own accord: The most blessed Abbot Comgall with his disciples beside the shore of the lake Feabhail saw swans swimming, and sweetly singing upon the waters. Then the Brethren asked the holy elder, that in place of the solace of food, he would lead the swans to them, and they might touch them with their hands. For then the Brethren needed to eat, but eating was not ready for them. The pious Father said to them: "If it is the will of God, let it be done." At this voice the swans by the divine nod compelled flew to the servants of Christ, and one of them by its flight stood in the bosom of the holy elder Comgall, and again, license being received, returned to their place.

[39] fish supplied by Angelic guidance, On a certain day, when S. Comgall had divinely foreseen the coming of S. Columba with his disciples, laboring at the oar, he asked from the Lord food for his guests. Then an Angel sent by God gathered a flock of fish in the sea, and led them to the shore before the Monastery of S. Comgall. The holy man knowing this done, commanded his own to bring the fish: and many fish were brought to the Monastery, with which the holy guests and the holy family were satisfied.

[40] Cormacus son of Diarmod King of the Leinstermen, ^a sprung of the race ^b Censelach, offered himself with three castles situated in the region of the Leinstermen, Catharlach situated upon the bank of the river [c] Berta, and Foibran, and Arderema to God and S. Comgall. Cormacus King of the Leinstermen becomes a monk, And he came to the Province of Ulster, and was made with S. Comgall in his Monastery of Benchor a monk. Afterward the ancient enemy in his heart put a great weariness toward his fatherland and sons, kinsmen and household gods. Then he with vast anxiety of mind came to the holy Father Comgall, and confessed to him, that he could not endure there, unless he visited and saw his fatherland. S. Comgall now, knowing that he could not retain him, dismissed him and certain Brethren with him: and the journey begun immediately upon him, his holy Abbot praying for him, a slumber sent by God rushed upon the overhanging hill, ^d Astilo Beunchor: and there he slept from the first hour of the day until the ninth, and in a dream he is strengthened against temptations. and saw such a dream: For he saw himself to have walked the borders of the Leinstermen, and to have surveyed very many cities and castles, and to have gone around flowery fields and pleasant meadows, and to have held chosen chariots and his kingdom, and the Dukes and Nobles and Provosts and the rest of the ensigns of his kingdom to have sat about him: and when he was satiated of all these things he was awakened in great weariness at the ninth hour; and hated all that he had seen by the help of God, and fulfilling his own will returned to his holy Abbot Comgall; and narrated to him all these things, and remained there thenceforth in the religious life until his death ^e.

[41] a fire is once and again kindled by his breath: On a certain day also of great cold the holy Father Comgall walking with his Brethren, found a certain house on the way, empty of men: and entering into it the cold Brethren gathered firebrands found to S. Comgall, asking him, that by the power of Christ they might have fire. Then the holy Father blessed the firebrands in the name of God, and breathing from his mouth the fire blazed in the firebrands, and the pyre being kindled the Brethren were warmed, giving thanks to Christ.

The same on another day S. Comgall with his Monks was in a certain valley, a dark and cold night fell in the desert upon them. Then the Brethren afflicted with too great cold asked Father Comgall, that they might have the solace of fire by the grace of God, for they had no fire-bearing iron. Forthwith the Saint of God by the breath of his mouth blew upon wood set before his eyes, and fire blazed from it, driving away the darkness and cold, illuminating and warming the Brethren. But on the next day neither fire, nor a vestige of it appeared in that wood: but leafy like the other woods with branches entire it was seen, having nothing of burning: and concerning this the Brethren wondered much, giving to God most good and great continual praises.

[42] a harsh Duke is amended: S. Comgall came once to the citadel of Trachim, and fasted there that night against a Duke harsh to him. But in the middle of the night the Lord shook the citadel from its foundations, until arms and other things fell from the walls. Then the Duke compelled by the nod of God did penance, pleasing the saint of God Comgall much.

[43] A certain young monk, named Conuath, came to S. Comgall, a monk is healed of swelling of mind. wishing to see the conversation of the servant of God. That Brother indeed thought no one beyond himself to be laboring more, and asked S. Comgall, that he might live in his sight in his wonted conversation concealing nothing. Now in the middle of the night S. Comgall after his manner went out into a neighboring river, and that monk descended with him, and that Brother could not be above between S. Comgall and the river, for the too great cold of the water; nor below for the heat of the water, which descended from the holy elder. That Brother seeing so great grace in S. Comgall, did penance for the swelling of his mind, and remained thenceforth under the rule of the most holy Comgall.

[44] At a certain time S. Comgall came to the citadel Mœ-mad, and there fasted against the King dwelling there. a hard King is bent by reason of a rock split into 4 parts by his saliva. But the King hard and harsh to him would not hear the Saint of God. But at the end of the fast the holy elder cast his saliva upon a great rock, before the sons of the King and the friends of the King: and the rock forthwith was split into four parts, the friends and sons of the King being present. Hearing this the King feared greatly, and coming humbly did great penance, and granted of his own accord to the most holy and most pious Father Comgall what he sought.

[45] On another day when the holy Father Comgall had sailed in a certain strait, he himself rebuked a certain young man of the Brethren, Crimacthanus by name: upon the wave a monk remains with dry clothes: and immediately he went out of the ship, and prostrated himself upon the sea bending his knees, and the wave was under him as if stable ground; and he was there prostrate until S. Comgall called him into the ship, and his garments were dry. The wind now blowing and the sail extended, by the great power of God, the ship stood in one place, until all this was done: afterward rejoicing much in God they sailed.

[46] Ronanus son of Aeda, Duke of the nation, had Brava as a wife beautiful and dear, who bore a son having a black face. a deformed boy by his benediction is made beautiful: That Duke seeing the unseemly boy, said: "This unseemly one shall not be my son, nor will I have his mother as a wife": and he expelled the son with his mother. She immediately proceeded to S. Comgall, ignorant of the crime, and narrated to him the cause of her expulsion. The cause being heard from the confession of that chaste woman, the man full of God blessed the face and eyes of the boy: and forthwith in his whole body and face, having hyacinthine eyes, most beautiful he appeared: for before he was fouler in the eyes than in the other members: and returning they were received gratefully by Duke Ronanus.

[47] When the holy Father Comgall had wished to build a cell on an island, named ^f Reachraind, there came thirty soldiers: the injurious are punished by death: and seizing his hand they expelled him thence: and in vengeance of this crime they all before the end of a month died.

[48] There came once the most blessed three Abbots, namely S. Comgall, S. Columba, and S. Cannicus to a Gentile King named ^g Brudæus, and he commanded the doors of the castle to be closed against them. But S. Comgall signed the doors with the sign of the holy Cross, King Brudæus is converted by miracles: and they fell broken to the ground: but S. Columba broke the doors of the royal house by the same sign. S. Cannicus also signed the hand of the King, brandishing a sword to kill them, and immediately the hand of the King was withered: and so it was until he believed in God: and when he was made faithful in God, his hand was loosed.

[49] The Queen of King ^h Fiachna, who reigned in the citadel which is called in Latin Atrium-magnum (Great Hall), the Queen about to die from poison given is healed: but in Scottish Rathmore, situated in the plain of Linia, and who was of the race of the Ulstermen, namely of the region Dalaradia, drank poison; and was tortured with most grievous pains: and she with her friends knew not by whom the poison was given to her. That Queen herself was called Cautigera, who was a faithful and chaste woman. Physicians being gathered from everywhere they could in no way cure the Queen. At last by the counsel of posterity S. Comgall was called to the Queen for that cause: and the holy man blessing the Queen said to her: "By the grace of God thou shalt receive health, and thou shalt know the man giving thee the poison": and immediately the Queen was healed. But after a little while the devil entered into one of the Queen's maidservants, and she was made senseless, and confessed that she had given the poison to her Lady. All wishing to deliver the maidservant to torments, the Queen did not permit, until S. Comgall the author of her health should judge her. The holy elder Comgall sending by a messenger freed her from death, and from servitude, and that maidservant herself afterward did a penance pleasing to God. The aforesaid king Fiachna held a most strong kingdom in Ireland, with whom the relics of many Saints of Ireland were elevated, and honorably laid up.

[50] When the elder S. Comgall once had come to the cell of a certain holy and religious Virgin, one who calumniated him is punished by death: he heard a great complaint, that a certain cruel man and plunderer, named Fergus, had by force seized the beasts of that place. And S. Comgall proceeding to him, said to him: "Release to me the cattle, which thou hast seized from the handmaids of Christ." But that proud man and tyrant despising the holy elder, not only did not release the beasts, but with pestiferous mouth and most harsh words calumniated the servant of God. On the following night that unhappy man ascending into his bed to sleep with his wife, by a most evil death, in vengeance of his crime, died.

[51] a leper entering the bath after Comgall is healed: A certain young man, Aedianus by name, grandson of Dunlaing, reading the twelve minor Prophets with S. Finellus, saw in dreams his garments about a certain leper of his race: and when he had awakened from sleep, he saw his body struck with leprosy. Who by the counsel of B. Finellus his master hastened to S. Comgall, asking from him health. Then the most blessed elder Comgall was in the greatest infirmity, and was compelled by the holy Fathers to the use of baths on account of his too great pains. And S. Comgall commanded the aforesaid young man Aedianus, that he should wash himself in the bath, from which the elder himself then had gone out. And when he washed himself there, immersing his whole body under the water; he was cleansed from all his leprosy: and with great joy giving thanks he returned to his own. Often troops of demons visibly fought against S. Comgall, and could not even change his mind from its internal intention toward his Lord Jesus Christ.

[52] Now the time of the departure of the most blessed elder Comgall approaching, Grave and long-lasting torments he was tortured with immense and various pains: for his ears were closed without hearing, and what is more difficult his belly was closed without effusion of urine; and he suffered other grave pains: and the servant of Christ Comgall was in such torment from the beginning of winter until Pentecost. Some now said, that so great pains were given upon him by God, on account of the hardness and harshness of his rule in his monks. Others said, that on account of his too great pains without discretion in his body of his own accord, that in the same body against his will he might suffer. Others said otherwise. Meanwhile ⁱ S. Meldanus the Abbot, born of the race of the Scots, sent by God from heaven, appeared to a certain holy monk, named ^k Colmanus, in dreams saying to him: "Not therefore for that which men say are so great pains sent into the body of S. Comgall, for the increase of his glory. although their causes are true: but for love of him by Christ for the increase of his merits he is tortured. For as he suffers torment before men without merit, so in the sight of the Angels crowned with eternal rewards very many he shall rejoice."

[53] The monks indeed of S. Comgall, some days before his death, wished daily to give him the divine Eucharist and other divine sacrifices. To whom the holy Father Comgall said: "From no one will I receive the sacrifice, until there come to me sent by God ^l S. Fiachra the Abbot from the province of the Leinstermen." And an Angel of the Lord came to S. Fiachra, whose monastery is beside the river Berba at the border of the Leinstermen, the sacred viaticum given by S. Fiachra. namely in the people Huadrona, which is called Airard; and sent him to S. Comgall, laboring in many pains, that he might receive from his hands the Body and Blood of Christ. When now S. Fiachra had come to the monastery of Benchor, he immediately gave the Lord's Communion to the most blessed Father Comgall. Afterward S. Fiachra asked the servant of God Comgall, that he might receive something of his relics at a fitting time: and it was promised to S. Fiachra by the disciples of Father Comgall what he sought. Then, many holy Fathers being present, his death 10 May. the most holy elder Comgall full of the Holy Spirit, most happily on the sixth of the Ides of May, after the course of his admirable life, gave up his spirit: and was buried with due honor in his most illustrious monastery of Benchor, his burial. where the benefits of God through him at all times are obtained from the Most High.

[34] Now much time having passed after the death of the most holy Father Comgall, the aforesaid S. Fiachra came to the monastery of Benchor: and the relics of S. Comgall being honorably elevated from the sepulcher, S. Fiachra chose the arm of S. Comgall, and carried it to the borders of the Leinstermen, the arm obtained by S. Fiachra, namely his Province. But while he made the journey in

the region of the Leinstermen, he came to the citadel of a certain Duke there, who was called Aedus. Then the son of that Duke Aedus was led to S. Fiachra, that he might baptize him: and S. Fiachra now opening his ^m satchel, to draw thence the book of Baptism, the arm of S. Comgall flew up into the air. There the holy men fasting and bending their knees and praying long, at length there came to them from heaven the arm, and entering the earth among them nowhere appeared thence. For three days therefore they dug the earth and did not find it. Seeing this, the miracle hides itself. Duke Aedus offered that citadel with its fields to the relics of the holy and most pious Father Comgall forever. And there now the holy Fiachra the Abbot constructed an illustrious monastery in honor of our Patron Comgall, and in the name of the holy Trinity, the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, to whom is praise and honor forever. Amen.

ANNOTATIONS.

c Serinus Bearna.