Wednesday 9 September 2015

Earth from Saint Ciarán's Tomb Saves Saint Colum Cille at Sea


We are told, on his hearing about St. Kieran's death, St. Columkille, Abbot of Iona, declared, that it was a providential circumstance, he had been called away from life at an early age; for, had he lived to an advanced term of years, the envy of many would be excited against him. It is said, that St. Columba composed a Hymn in honour of our saint. This seems to indicate, that he had been at Clonmacnoise, when it was written; since the successor of Kieran said to him: "O father, this is a beautiful and eulogistic hymn; what return can we make for its composition?" Columba answered, "Give me two hands full of earth, taken from the grave of Father Kieran, because that I desire and love, more than pure gold or precious stones." Wherefore, St. Columba, taking this earth from the sepulchre of St. Kieran, returned to his own island of Hy.

But, while on his voyage thither, a great sea-storm arose, which carried his ship towards a most dangerous whirlpool, known as Corebreacyn. While drifting towards this whirlpool, so much dreaded by mariners, St. Columba threw a portion of the earth taken from St. Kieran's tomb into the sea. Immediately, the waves subsided, the tempest was stilled, and the ship escaped from that menaced danger. Thereupon, St. Columba returned thanks to God, and called his fellow-passengers to witness what a favour had been obtained, through the relics of Blessed Kieran.

[Footnote: This account purports to be taken from the thirty-third chapter of an old Life of St. Kieran. It is not to be found in the Irish Life, contained in the Book of Lismore.]

Rev J. O'Hanlon, Lives of the Irish Saints, Volume IX, (Dublin n.d.), 232-233.

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4 comments:

Χρήστος said...

Finally I deleted all the posts I took from your blog! Are you satisfied? I think that puts an end to our quarrel.

Marcella said...

Thank you. There was no quarrel until you made a number of insulting remarks suggesting that people were going to come into contact with some sort of spiritual contagion if they visited my site. I was taken aback as I had done my best to welcome you and when you asked if I would post something from the Bangor Antiphonary I did so. Your remarks came out of the blue and I was completely astonished by them. The way in which I use public domain sources is a product of my own creative process, I spend the hours reading them, I select from them and I provide the commentary on them. They are thus in the format they are published here my intellectual property. Other bloggers are at liberty to use the same sources in whatever way they see fit. All I ask is that if anyone wants to use posts from my site they provide a link, I do not feel that is unreasonable and is simply a question of fair use. I won't be publishing the rest of your comments and am sorry that you feel that way about someone you do not actually know. I am not interested in continuing any quarrel with you and wish you God's blessing. Brat Bride orainn!

Χρήστος said...

If you want check this book someday: http://koutloumous.com/Athos/?page_id=496

God bless you. And sorry if I insulted you with my message.

Marcella said...

That seems like a most interesting work. If only books weren't so dreadfully expensive!