Saint
Kieran, Seir Kieran Church, Bell Hill
Abate
e vescovo di Seir-Kieran (Saighir)
Saint Kieran
Évêque d'Ossory (+ v.
530)
ou Ciaran.
Sacré évêque d'Ossory, il fut le fondateur du monastère de Saighar en Irlande,
ce qui nous empêche de le confondre avec le saint Kieran de Cornouailles.
À Saighir dans la région
d'Ossory en Irlande, vers l'an 530, saint Kieran, évêque et abbé.
Martyrologe romain
SOURCE : https://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/6039/Saint-Kieran.html
St
Kieran detail, Harry Clarke, St. Mary's Ballinrobe
Ciarán of Seirkieran ; St. Mary's Church, Ballinrobe
; Stained-glass windows by
Harry Clarke
Also
known as
Kieran of Saighir
Kieran of Seirkeiran
Kieran the Elder
Kieran Saighir
Kieran mac Luaigne
Ceran…
Chierano…
Ciarán…
Ciarano…
Ciaranus…
Kenerin…
Kerrier…
Kevin…
Kieren…
Kiernan…
Kieron…
Kyran…
Queran…
Queranus…
First-born of the Saints of Ireland
6 January as one
of the Twelve
Apostles of Ireland
Profile
Convert
to Christianity.
Pilgrim
to Rome,
Italy. Ordained
by Saint Patrick.
First Bishop
of Ossory,
Ireland.
Founder of Saighir monastery.
Sometimes confused with Saint Piran of Cornwall.
Several healing wells were named for Kieran.
Born
Corca-Laighde (modern
Cape Clear), Ireland
c.530 of
natural causes
Name
Means
Little Dark One
Dark Prince
Dark Haired One
in Ireland
Ossory,
city of
Additional
Information
Book of
Saints, by the Monks of
Ramsgate
Legends
of Saints and Birds, by Agnes Aubrey Hilton
Lives
of the Saints, by Father Alban
Butler
books
Battersby’s Registry for
the Whole World
Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
Saints
and Their Attributes, by Helen Roeder
Some Patron Saints, by
Padraic Gregory
other
sites in english
Carrigeen Primary School, Kilkenny, Ireland
Medieval Religion Listserv, by John Dillon
images
sitios
en español
Martirologio Romano, 2001 edición
fonti
in italiano
nettsteder
i norsk
websites
in nederlandse
MLA
Citation
“Saint Kieran“. CatholicSaints.Info.
16 June 2024. Web. 3 October 2026.
<https://catholicsaints.info/saint-kieran/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-kieran/
Article
(Kiernan, Kyran, Ciaran,
Pyran) (Saint)
Bishop
(March 5)
(5th century) Styled “The First-Born of the Saints of Ireland.” Born in Ossory
of noble parents, some time in the fourth century, he preceded Saint Patrick,
with whom he associated himself in the Apostolate of Ireland. Either by Saint
Patrick, or, as some say, by the Pope of the time himself, Saint
Kieran was consecrated First Bishop of Ossory. From his foundation of a
monastery at Saighir (King’s County) he became known as Saint Kiaran of
Saighir. Various traditions speak of his having crossed over to Cornwall and of
his being identical with the Saint Piran there venerated as a local Saint.
Saint Kyran died, it would appear, at a very advanced age.
MLA
Citation
Monks of Ramsgate.
“Kieran”. Book of Saints, 1921.
CatholicSaints.Info. 18 December 2013. Web. 3 October 2026.
<https://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-kieran/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-kieran/
St. Kieran of Saigir
Feastday: March 5
Patron: of The diocese of Ossory
Birth: 501
Death: 530
The “first born of the
saints of Ireland,” sometimes listed as Kieran Saighir or Kevin the Elder. He
was a native of Ossory, and after living for a time as a
hermit, he is believed to have been consecrated a bishop by St.
Patrick, taking his place as the first bishop of
Ossory. Another tradition states that he was consecrated in Rome. Legends
attribute remarkable miracles to Kieran.
SOURCE : https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4173
St Ciaran of Saighir
Celebrated on March 5th
Bishop and monk. Ciaran
was born in West Cork in the 6th century. He came from an Ossory family. Ciaran
went to Europe as a young man, where he was baptised and ordained. He returned
to Ossory and settled at Saighir near Birr in Co Offaly, first as a hermit,
then later as the abbot of a large monastery. He may have been consecrated
bishop by St Patrick.
There are many legends about St Ciaran. He is said to have had great skills
communicating with wild animals. A wolf, a badger and a fox helped him and his
monks build their huts.
On one occasion the fox stole Ciaran's shoes and hid them in his lair. The wolf
and the badger were given the job of finding the shoes and bringing the fox
back to Ciaran. He made the animal do penance and then continue work as before.
Ciaran's monastery became the burial place for the kings of Ossory. Some
notable ruins remain there to this day. It is likely that they were built on
the site of a prehistoric settlement. As in other Irish sanctuaries, perpetual
fire is said to have burnt there. There is another site of St Ciaran, an
ancient ruined church, on the island of Cape Clear. This was probably his
hermitage.
SOURCE : https://www.indcatholicnews.com/saint/070
March 5
St. Kiaran, or Kenerin,
Bishop and Confessor
[Called by the Britons, Piran.] AMONG
the Irish saints who were somewhat older than Saint Patrick, the first and most
celebrated is Saint Kiaran, whom the Irish style the first-born of their
saints. According to some he was a native of the country of Ossory, according
to others, of Cork. Usher places his birth about the year 352. Having received
some imperfect information about the Christian faith, at thirty years of age he
took a journey to Rome, that he might be instructed in its heavenly doctrine,
and learn faithfully to practise its precepts. He was accompanied home by four
holy clerks, who were all afterwards bishops, their names are, Lugacius,
Columban, Lugad, and Cassan. The Irish writers suppose him to have been
ordained bishop at Rome; but what John of Tinmouth affirms, seems far more probable,
that he was one of the twelve, whom St. Patrick consecrated bishops in Ireland
to assist him in planting the gospel in that Island. For his residence, he
built himself a cell in a place encompassed with woods, near the water of
Fuaran, which soon grew into a numerous monastery. A town was afterwards built
there called Saigar, now from the saint Sier-keran. Here he converted to the
faith, his family, and whole clan, which was that of the Osraigs, with many
others. Having given the religious veil to his mother whose name was Lidan, he
appointed her a cell or monastery near his own, called by the Irish Ceall
Lidain. In his old age, being desirous to prepare himself for his passage to
eternity in close retirement, he passed into Cornwall, where his led an
eremitical life, near the Severn sea, fifteen miles from Padstow. Certain
disciples joined him, and by his words and example formed themselves to a true
spirit of Christian piety and humility. In this place he closed his mortal
pilgrimage by a happy death: a town upon the spot is to this day called from
him St. Piran’s in the Sands, and a church is there dedicated to God in his
memory, where was formerly a sanctuary near St. Mogun’s church, upon St.
Mogun’s creek. 1
See John of Tinmouth, Usher, &c. collected by Henschenius: also Leland’s
Collections, published by Hearne, t. 3. p. 10. and 174
Note 1. A great number of other Irish saints retired to Cornwall, where many towns and churches still retain their names. Thus St. Burian’s is so called from an Irish virgin called Buriana, to whose church and college here King Athelstan, in 936, granted the privilege of sanctuary. See Leland. Collect. t. 3. p. 7, 8ST. IÄ
WAS daughter to an Irish nobleman, and a disciple of St. Barricus; Iä and
Erwine, and many others, came out of Ireland into Cornwall, and landed at
Pendinas, a stony rock and peninsula. At her request Dinan, a lord of the
country, built there a church, since called St. Iës, eighteen miles from Saint
Piran’s in the Sands, on the Severn. St. Carantoke’s is two miles above St.
Piran’s. St. Iës stands two miles from Lannant; St. Erth is a parish church two
miles above Lannant. St. Cua and St. Tedy’s parishes are situated in the same
part. St. Lide’s Island, where her tomb was formerly visited by the whole country,
still retains her name. See the Life of St. Iä quoted by Leland, Coll. t. 3. p.
11.
ST. BREACA, Virgin
SHE was born in Ireland, on the borders of Leinster and Ulster, and consecrated
herself to God in a religious state under the direction of St. Bridget, who
built for her a separate oratory, and afterwards a monastery, in a place since
called the Field of Breaca. She afterwards passed into Cornwall in company with
Abbot Sinnin, a disciple of St. Patrick, Maruan, a monk, Germoch, or Gemoch,
King Elwen, Crewenna, and Helen. Saint Breaca landed at Revyer, otherwise
called Theodore’s castle, situated on the eastern bank of the river Hayle, long
since, as it seems, swallowed up by the sands on the coast of the northern sea
of Cornwall. Tewder, a Welchman, slew part of this holy company. St. Breaca
proceeded to Pencair, a hill in Pembro parish, now commonly called St. Banka.
She afterwards built two churches, one at Trenewith, the other at Talmeneth,
two mansion places in the parish of Pembro, as is related in the life of St.
Elwin. See Leland’s Itinerary, published by Hearne, p. 5.
ST. GERMOKE’S church is three miles from St. Michael’s Mount, by
east-south-east, a mile from the sea. His tomb is yet seen there, and his chair
is shown in the church-yard, and his well a little without the church-yard.
Leland, ib. p. 6.
ST. MAWNOUN’S church stands at the point of the haven, towards
Falmoutb, ib. p. 13. [back]
Rev. Alban Butler
(1711–73). Volume III: March. The Lives of the Saints. 1866.
Book
of Saints and Wonders – Great Wonders of the Olden Time – Saint Ciaran
Blessed Ciaran and His
Scholars
The first of the saints
to be born in Ireland of the saints was Ciaran, that was of the blood of the
nobles of Leinster. And the first of the wonders he did was in the island of
Cleire, and he but a young child at the time. There came a hawk in the air over
his head, and it stooped down before him and took up a little bird that was
sitting on a nest. And pity for the little bird came on Ciaran and it was bad
to him the way it was. And the hawk turned back and left the bird before him,
and it half dead and trembling; and Ciaran bade it to rise up and it rose and
went up safe and well to its nest, by the grace of God.
It was Patrick bade
Ciaran after that to go to the Well of Uaran, the mering where the north meets
with the south in the middle part of Ireland. ‘And bring my little bell with
you’ he said ‘and it will be without speaking till you come to the Well.’ So
Ciaran did that and when he reached to the Well of Uaran, for God brought him
there, the little bell spoke out on the moment in a bright clear voice. And
Ciaran settled himself there, and he alone, and great woods all around the
place; and he began to make a little cell for himself, that was weak enough.
And one time as he was
sitting under the shadow of a tree a wild boar rose up on the other side of it;
but when it saw Ciaran it ran from him, and then it turned back again as a
quiet servant to him, being made gentle by God. And that boar was the first
scholar and the first monk Ciaran had; and it used to be going into the wood
and to be plucking rods and thatch between its teeth as if to help towards the
building. And there came wild creatures to Ciaran out of the places where they
were, a fox and a badger and a wolf and a doe; and they were tame with him and
humbled themselves to his teaching the same as brothers, and did all he bade
them to do.
But one day the fox, that
was greedy and cunning and full of malice, met with Ciaran’s brogues and he
stole them and went away shunning the rest of the company to his own old den,
for he had a mind to eat the brogues, But that was showed to Ciaran, and he
sent another monk of the monks of his family, that was the badger, to bring
back the fox to the place where they all were.
So the badger went to the
cave where the fox was and found him, and he after eating the thongs and the
ears of the brogues. And the badger would not let him off coming back with him
to Ciaran, and they came to him in the evening bringing the brogues with them.
And Ciaran said to the fox ‘O brother,’ he said ‘why did you do this robbery
that was not right for a monk to do. And there was no need for you to do it,’
he said ‘for we all have food and water in common, that there is no harm in.
But if your nature told you it was better for you to use flesh, God would have
made it for you from the bark of those trees that are about you.’
Then the fox asked Ciaran
to forgive him and to put a penance on him; and Ciaran did that, and the fox
used no food till such time as he got leave from Ciaran; and from that out he
was as honest as the rest.
His Kindness is Living
Yet
It is not long since a
poor woman of Aidne that used to be doing spinning for the neighbours, and that
had a little son that was lame, brought him to a blessed well of Ciaran. And
when they looked in it they saw a little fish tossing and leaping and the water
bubbling up, and a woman that was there said ‘It is many years I am coming
here, and I never saw that fish until now.’ And from that time the lameness
went from the little lad.
And there was a poor
woman in Iar Connacht was fretting greatly because she was told that her son
that was in America had lost his leg through a train. And she thought maybe she
did not hear all the truth, and that the neighbours might be hiding from her
that he was dead. So she went to a well of blessed Ciaran and she kneeled down
on the stones, and she prayed three times to God and to the saint to give her a
sign. And at the third time a little fish rose up and went swimming and
stirring itself at the top of the water as if to show itself, and she saw that
a piece had been taken out of it and that it was lively all the same. And sure
enough, her son got well and is living in America yet. And many that have some
belonging to them across the ocean will go and ask for a sign at that well, and
it will be given to them the same as it was to her.
– from A
Book of Saints and Wonders by Lady Gregory, 1906
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-and-wonders-great-wonders-of-the-olden-time-saint-ciaran/
Legends
of Saints and Birds – Kieran and the Cuckoo
This is a tale of a Saint
who lived in the sixth century. His name was Kieran, and by some he was called
“the first-born of the Saints of Ireland.”
Even when a little child
he showed his love for animals. It is told how one day he wept to see a hawk
circling above a little bird, then suddenly swoop down upon its prey. But
bethinking himself that our Lord had promised even to remove mountains for
those who ask in faith, he fell on his knees beseeching God to save that tiny
bird. And the hawk opened its talons and the bird fluttered down to earth,
frightened but unhurt, while Kieran wept no more, but was glad that its life
was spared.
When Kieran grew up he
went into a lonely place, afterwards called Saighir, so that he could live, a
life of prayer away from the haunts of men. It is told of him that he “began by
occupying a cell in the midst of a dense wood,” where the wild creatures of the
forest gathered round him. Now those who live in solitude and quiet have ever
been the ones to tame the wild animals: the timid among the creatures who would
be frightened away by noise and rough treatment, overcome their shyness when
they are gently handled by some Hermit Saint.
The squirrels, leaping
from branch to branch in the trees, would pause to watch Kieran, their bright
eyes twinkling, until, after a while, they would take nuts from his hand. And
Kieran, who as a child had wept over the bird in the clutches of the hawk,
loved the feathered songsters who greeted him each morning with their songs of
praise; while at first, in the solitude of Saighir, his principal attendant was
a boar, while for monks he had a fox, a wolf, and a doe.
But after a time folk
heard of the Hermit; his fame spread, and many came to visit him. Then
disciples gathered round him, so that Kieran had to build a monastery. Besides
having the care of the monks he used to preach the Gospel to the heathen in
Ossory, and he is said to have been the founder of that see and the first
Bishop there. He also founded a Convent, of which, some say, his mother was the
Abbess.
Now, one day a Chief in
that neighbourhood came to the Convent, and he carried off one of the nuns.
Kieran pursued the Chief until he came to the place where he dwelt and whither
he had carried the maiden. At first no heed was taken when the Saint tried to,
gain admittance to the home of the Chief, but at last a messenger was sent to
know what he wanted.
“I demand that the Nun
thy master hath with him shall be returned to the Convent whence he took her,”
replied Kieran.
The Chief laughed at this
message.
“Go, tell Father Abbot
that unless the Cuckoo rouses me from sleep to-morrow I will not restore the
maid.”
And he laughed again,
those that were with him laughing also at this answer. For they thought that it
was impossible that a cuckoo’s voice should be heard in mid-winter.
“The Cuckoo has flown far
from these shores ere now,” said they; “’tis not likely it will return at the
crying of a maid or the entreaties of that Priest.”
But these rude men forgot
as they jested that which Kieran, who believed in God, ever remembered, so when
the churlish message came that he had best be gone – for unless the Cuckoo
should sing the maid would be kept there – he said quietly:
“All things are possible
to God. He will send the bird rather than that one hair of that poor maiden’s
head be injured.”
And, having gained the
Chief’s promise that the Nun should remain alone until the morning, Kieran went
through the snow to the house where he was to lodge that night, his head bowed
in prayer.
Now, all that night no
snow fell, and in the morning a bird perched on a tree growing nigh to the
Chief’s window.
“Cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo,”
sounded through the clear frosty air. It was the note of the Cuckoo as she sings
in April and May when first she comes to these isles, and so shrill she sang
that not only did the Chief awake at the noise, but his servants also. And they
were all astonished at the sight.
Then the Chief called the
Abbot.
“Take back the girl,” he
said, “for I will have nought to do with her.”
So it was that Kieran
returned with the Nun, who was received with much joy by the Abbess of the
Convent.
Now, it is thought by
some that Kieran crossed the sea to Cornwall, where he ended his days; and as
Irish Saints went great journeys to spread the faith among other peoples, we
may rightly think that in Cornwall this “first-born of the Irish Saints had
rest.”
– taken from Legends
of Saints and Birds by Agnes Aubrey Hilton
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/legends-of-saints-and-birds-kieran-and-the-cuckoo/
Monday, 5 March
St Kieran
Who could tire of the
Irish saints and their legends? The acts of Kieran alone could fill many golden
pages. As a boy it is told that he could not bear the sight of a small bird
being carried off in the talons of a great hawk and cried aloud to God,
whereupon the beast dropped its still living prey. Later when Kieran was an
abbot with certain nuns under his authority an odious chieftain in the dead of
winter carried off a sister whom he intended to ravish; the furious saint
complained to the lord, who responded that he would restore his captive to her
freedom if a cuckoo would rouse him from his slumber the next morning. That
night snow did not fall, and just before dawn the ruffian heard a cuckoo singing
below his window and relented.
Kieran helped many other
pious ladies. One day late in autumn he saw a magnificent bush full of
blackberries and, thinking sadly of their coming demise, threw his cloak over
them. Many months later, Queen Ethnea, wife of one of the numerous monarchs the
Irish had in those days, was taken ill and spoke of her desire for
blackberries. Her situation was very grave, and the saint remembered his cloak,
under which the fruit had been preserved utterly from frost. No sooner had her
majesty consumed the berries than she recovered.
St. Kieran Patron Saint
of Ossory
According to the lives of
the Irish Saints, St. Kieran was the first Bishop and founder of the Diocese of
Ossory.
No one can claim with
certainty the year of his birth, but in all probability, it was close to the
end of the 4th century and the beginning of the 5th century.
What is known with
certainty is that the saint was born in Cape Clear, Ireland in South west Cork,
known then as Corca-Laighde, marked with the remains of the ruins of an ancient
church and graveyard of Kill-Kiaran, close to the shore now known as
Tra-Chiaráin, St. Kieran's Strand.
After receiving the
faith, either from missionaries or from the neighbours who traded extensively
with the French, St. Kieran left his native home at the age of thirty and set
out for Rome.
He is said to have
remained in Rome for twenty years and was apparently ordained a Bishop. On his
homeward journey, he met St. Patrick who instructed Kieran to travel until he
came to a well where he should found a monastery. Patrick gave him a bell,
which was not to ring until such a time as Kieran reached the correct well.
Having travelled long
journeys, he at last reached a well called Uaran, where he built his monastery
known as Saighir-Kiaran, which is in Co. Ofally.
From there he moved to
Fertagh, near Johnstown.here was another well and one day he sent his
housekeeper to bring home spring water.When she did not return he searched everwhere
for her.He found her bones near the well. When he arranged the bones in order
she came to life again!!This same story is recalled in reference to the Church
in Templeorum!
He had many adventures, meeting
all sorts of characters who stole what he had.He is said to have prophetised
that certain places would never again be without rouges and liars till the end
of time.
With so many disagreeable
people, he continued until he reached once more Seir-Kieran where he found
peace and solitude. His monastery flourished and he ordained many holy men to
the priesthood. He was not content to preach to the native Irish but also spent
time in Cornwall, Brittany, Wales and Scotland. The name St. Kieran is still
remembered in many of these places.
Wells, rocks, churches,
monasteries, have all been called after him. St. Patrick and St. Kieran met
many times. In particular, they met at the Rock of Cashel when Patrick started
his mission in Munster.
SOURCE : http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fireland.iol.ie%2F~carigeen%2Fciaran.htm
St. Kieran of Saighir
St. Kieran of Saighir was
born in Ireland, possibly on Cape Clear Island. Historians disagree on his date
of birth, although most sources place him in the fifth or sixth century. His
father’s name was Laighne, and his mother was Liadain. At that time, the Irish
were non-Christians. Many legends exist concerning the events of Kieran’s life.
One says that when his mother was pregnant with Kieran, she had a dream that a
star fell from heaven and came to rest on her. People said this meant the baby
she carried would have a special purpose.
When Kieran was a child,
he was kind and gentle. He loved animals, and they trusted him. Several of the
stories about St. Kieran tell of his ability to tame wild animals, and he is
often shown with a badger, a doe, and a fox.
Kieran wanted to learn
more about God, so when he was thirty years old he went to Rome, the center of
Christianity. He spent several years there, studying. Kieran was baptized a
Christian and later ordained a priest. Legends disagree about whether Kieran
was ordained a bishop in Rome or later in Ireland. Many stories say that St.
Patrick met with Kieran in Rome and commissioned him to return to Ireland and
build a monastery. He is known as one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. One
legend tells of St. Patrick giving Kieran a bell that rang for the first time
when he reached the sight of a holy well in Saighir, and there he built his
church. This became renowned as a sacred place, and many of the ancient Kings
of Ossory were buried there.
Legend tells that Kieran
had hoped to live a life of solitude, and upon his return to Ossary he dwelt in
a cave where he spent much of his time in prayer. As the story goes, he
befriended the animals who come to him when they were sick or hurt. People
began to hear of his powers of healing. He ministered to the people and soon
had a following. Kieran built a monastery in Ossary, and the town of Saighir
grew up around it. Kieran served the people as Bishop of Ossory until his
death. Kieran is the first person born in Ireland to be canonized a saint.
The ruins of the original
church, the well round the fountain, and other holy sites related to St. Kieran
can be seen today in Saighir, Ossory, Ireland. In Ireland, his name is spelled
Ciaran, pronounced “Kigh-ran” of “Sigh-gear.” He is also called St. Kieran the
Elder, to distinguish from Saint Kieran of Clonmacnoise.
The Feast of St. Kieran
is celebrated on March 5.
SOURCE : https://www.saintkierancatholicschool.org/Our_Patron_Saint
Life of S. Kieran of
Saighir.
Beatissimus episcopus
Ciaranus sanctorum Hibernia primogenitus i.e. bishop Kieran of Saighir was
the first saint born in Ireland; and was of Leinster’s eastern portion, which
is called Ossory. In that time the Irish all were non-christians and gentiles.
Laighne was his father’s name and he was of the nobles of Ossory; his mother’s
name was Liadain, and she was of the southern part of Munster, being indeed [to
be more precise] of the Corca-laighde by race.
Before she conceived
Kieran in her womb his mother had a dream: as it were a star that fell into her
mouth; which dream she related to the magicians and to the knowledgeable ones
of the time, and they said to her: “thou wilt bear a son whose fame and whose
virtues shall to the world’s latter end be great [i.e. notorious].” Afterwards
that holy son Kieran was born; and where he was [actually] brought forth and
nursed was in Corca-laighde, on the island which is called Cléire. Verily God
chose him in his mother’s womb.
When Ireland then had
[first and vaguely] heard Christ’s name the disposition of Christian devotion
had its first origin in Kieran; his parents and every other one marvelling at
the extent to which all his deeds were virtuous. He was mild in his nature, and
of converse sweet; his qualities were attended with prosperity, his counsel was
instruction, and so with all else that appertained to a saintly man.
One day that he was in
Cléire there it was that, he being at the time but a young child, he made a
beginning of his miracles; for in the air right over him a kite came soaring
and, swooping down before his face, lifted a little bird that sat upon her
nest. Compassion for the little bird took Kieran, and he deemed it an ill thing
to see it in such plight; thereupon the kite turned back and in front of Kieran
deposited the bird half dead, sore hurt; but Kieran bade it rise and be whole.
The bird arose, and by God’s favour went whole upon its nest again.
A score and ten years now
before ever he was baptised Kieran spent in Ireland in sanctity and in
perfection both of body and of soul, the Irish being as we have said gentiles.
But the Holy Spirit being come to dwell in His servant, in Kieran, he for that
length [of time] lived in devotion and in perfect ways; then he heard a report
that the Christian piety was in Rome and, leaving Ireland, went thither, where
he was instructed in the Catholic faith. For twenty years he was there: reading
the Holy Scripture, collecting his books and learning the rule of the Church;
so that when the Roman people saw our Kieran’s wisdom and cunning, his devotion
and his faith, he was ordained into the Church. Afterwards he reached Ireland
again; but upon the way from Italy Patrick (primate of Ireland) had met him, and
when they (God’s people) saw each other they made much rejoicing and had great
gladness. Now at that time Patrick was not a bishop, but was made one later on.
Celestinus it was that
made a bishop of him and then sent him to preach to the Irish; for albeit
before Patrick there were saints in Ireland, yet for him God reserved her
magistracy and primacy until he came; nor till his advent did their kings or
their lords believe by any other’s means.
Said Patrick to Kieran:
“precede me into Ireland; and in the marching of her northern with her southern
part, in her central point, thou shalt find a well. At such well (the name of
which is uardn) build thou a monastery; there shall thine honour abide for ever
and thy resurrection be.” Kieran answered and said: “impart to me the
spot where the well is.” Patrick said to him: “the Lord will be with thee : go
thou but straight before thee take to thee [first] my little bell, which until
thou reach the well that we have mentioned shall be speechless; but when thou attainest
to it the little bell will with a clear melodious voice speak out: so shalt
thou know the well, and at the end of nine years and a score I will follow thee
to that place.”
They blessed and kissed
each other, and Kieran went his way to Ireland; but Patrick tarried in Italy.
Kieran’s bell was without uttering until he came to the place where was the
well of which Patrick spoke: Uarán namely; for when Kieran was come - into
Ireland God guided him to that well, which when he had reached, straightway the
little bell spoke with a bright clear voice: barcán Ciaráin ‘tis
called, and for a token is now in Kieran’s parish and in his see; throughout
the territories round about ‘tis carried to be sworn upon [in covenants]
between kings, for a sanction that they shall keep their troth. Moreover it is
borne about to all peoples in general to procure for the successors to -
Kieran’s monastery all that of which they may stand in need. Where it was made
was with Germanus the bishop, Patrick’s master, who also gave it to Patrick.
Touching that well of
which we have spoken: the very spot in which it is is in the mearing betwixt
two parts of Ireland, Mun ster being the southernmost part and..., the
northern; howbeit in Munster actually the country is which men call Ely. In
that place Kieran began to dwell as a hermit (for at that time it was all
encircled with vast woods) and for a commencement went - about to build a
little cell of flimsy workmanship (there it was that [later] he founded a
monastery and metropolis which all in general now call Saighir Chiaráin). When
first Kieran came hither he sat him down under a tree’s shade; but from the
other side of the trunk rose a wild boar of great fury which, when he saw
Kieran, fled and then turned again as a tame servitor to him, - he being by God
rendered gentle. Which boar was the first disciple and the first monk that
Kieran had there; and moreover went to the wood to pull wattles and thatch with
his teeth by way of helping on the cell (human being there was none at that
time with Kieran, for it was alone and away from his disciples - that he came
on that eremiteship). And out of every airt in which they were of the
wilderness irrational animals came to Kieran: a fox namely, a brock, a wolf,
and a doe; which were tame to him, and as monks humbled themselves to his
teaching and did all that he enjoined them.
But of a day that the fox
(which was gross of appetite, crafty, and full of malice) came to Kieran’s
brogues he e’en stole them and, shunning the community, made for his own cave
of old and there lusted to have devoured the brogues. Which thing being shewn
to Kieran he sent another monk of the monks of his familia (the brock to wit)
to fetch the fox and to bring him to the same spot [where all were]. To the
fox’s earth the brock went accordingly, and caught him in very act to eat the
brogues themselves (their lugs and thongs he had consumed already). The brock
was instant on him that he should come with him to the monastery; at eventide
they reached Kieran, and the brogues with them. Kieran said to the fox:
“brother, wherefore hast thou done this thievery which was not becoming for a
monk to perpetrate? seeing thou neededst not to have committed any such; for we
have in common water that is void of all offence, meat too we have [of the
same]. But and if thy nature constrained thee to deem it for thy benefit that
thou shouldst eat flesh, out of the very bark that is on these trees round about
thee God would have made such for thee.” Of Kieran then the fox besought
remission of his sins and that he would lay on him a penance; so it was done,
nor till he had leave of Kieran did the fox eat meat; and from that time forth
he was righteous as were all the rest.
Afterwards his own
disciples came to Kieran, with many more; - then he began to build a stately
monastery, and henceforth those animals in their own condition abode still with
Kieran, for they diverted him. Now grew the Christian faith in Ireland
[insomuch that] before Patrick’s advent thither there were three - most saintly
bishops: as Ailbe of Imlech iubhair, bishop Braus, with Declan in his land and
country, in the Decies of Munster; while of his own country too, of Ossory,
Kieran the holy turned - many men to the Catholic faith.
It was after this that
from Pope Celestinus the glorious Arch bishop Patrick came into Ireland; from
whom all that land was filled with the Christian faith and baptism.
To Kieran came once a
young woman: he made of her a Christian and a veritable servant to God, and
near to the monastery built for her a small but honourable cell; about her he
assembled other saintly maidens, and of these was the most exquisite virgin
whose name was Bruinneck: daughter of a noble lord of Munster. By Kieran’s
mother she was beloved dearly and zealously; she was under Liadain’s special
care, and profitable in all her ways. But when the chief of Hy-Fiachrach heard
the fame of this girl’s beauty that we have mentioned, with great bands of
kerne he came and carried her away forcibly; his name was Díma, and with him in
his castle she was for a long time; indeed she slept by him, and he held her
dear exceedingly. Kieran came to Díma to require the girl of him, but DIma
consented not to dismiss her; he said further that by no means would he suffer
her to depart from him unless that a stork’s voice it were that on the morrow
woke him (it was time of winter then and great snow was fallen; but on the spot
where Kieran was with his disciples fell no whit of the same). On the morrow’s
morn then (although the thing were against nature) on every housetop that was
in the precinct a stork uttered; which when Díma heard, speedily he sought
Kieran, on his knees he fell before him, and let the young woman go. She was
pregnant then, which was not good in Kieran’s sight; therefore upon her body he
signed the Holy Cross, and her burden vanished quite away; then he led her to
her own cell which [now] is called Cill Liadain.
In love for the woman
Díma was entangled hugely however, and repented him that he had dismissed her.
He returned to carry her away again, but God wrought conformably to the will of
three: of Kieran, of his mother, and of the woman’s self; so that when he came
to the town Bruinnech died. Díma took it ill, and said to Kieran: “wherefore
hast thou slain my wedded wife that before me never knew a man, for as a lawful
spouse I bound her to me? thy habitation therefore shall not be in this place,
but I will expel thee out of it.” Kieran answered: “not of thyself are the
powers by which thou mightest do that or any other thing; but God it is that
hath given thee faculty, as it were an earthly shadow, for so long as it may
please Him. Therefore my place I will not leave for thee but, whether it like
thee or like thee not, will still be in it.” Dima when he heard it departed
with great anger, and against Kieran uttered threats; but in revenge of his
injustice distress of God fell on him, insomuch that when he came to his castle
he found it and all as many buildings as surrounded it on fire. Now a favourite
[little] son that he had was forgotten in the house and he asleep in Díma’s
bed; but his nurse, when she perceived that for man it was not possible to
rescue him from the flames, cried with a loud voice: “beloved babe, I make thee
over to Kieran of Saighir, and to his safeguard do consign thee!" whereat
the flames being fallen and the prernises cooled down, the child was found
whole as though but asleep. When Díma saw it he came where Kieran was (and the
bishop called Aedh with him); from Kieran he accepted a sore penance and
dedicated to him his two Sons: Donough (the son that the Saint had himself
saved from the fire) and another one, with their seed and posterity after them,
[with] both monastery and revenue, and with burial place. Then to his own place
Díma returned again, with joy and with Kieran’s benediction. As for this latter
it grieved him that his charge was so quickly gone from the world, and he knew
that thenceforth Díma would no more do him violence; where the young woman’s
body was thither he went therefore, atld in her behalf made prayers to God so
that she rose From death and for a long time after that lived on.
Of another day the
steward that Kieran had in order to the monastery’s work [of construction] came
to him saying: “we lack swine.” Kieran made answer: “even as God giveth us
every Dther thing so too will He furnish swine.” Sure enough on the morrow
there came to the workmen an exceeding great sow and along with her of little pigs
a dozen, from which in the sequel proceeded many porkers.
Of Kieran upon yet
another day the self-same man sought sheep. Kieran said: “the One that gave us
swine will give us sheep;" and the steward being gone out saw on the green
a score and eight white sheep that ate grass. Then he took them away, and of
them came many sheep.
A certain man of power
that was in that country :-and to Kieran he brought his dead son to be made
alive again (Laeghaire was the boy’s name). Kieran having prayed to his Lord,
the lad - rose up from death and lived long after; in gratitude for which that
man bestowed on Kieran and on his representative for ever the land that is
called Ráth-feráin.
It was after this that
Patrick the Preacher came into Ireland, and to the king of Munster: to Angus
son of Nadfraech, who believed in God and in Patrick; and Patrick baptised him.
In that time came one of the seed of Duach, of the country of Ossory, and of
set purpose killed Patrick’s horse; by the king’s people he was seized and without
delay set in fetters, that he might be put to death. Howbeit in his behalf his
friends besought Kieran, who came to the king and in lieu of the other gave him
wealth of gold and of silver, so procuring [the prisonerl to be enlarged free
to his own country. But Kieran being gone the - treasure went to nothing,
whereby anger took the king and he summoned Kieran. He enquired of him why for
the culprit that he held he had given him empty riches (mock substance that is
to say); Kieran answered and said: “all riches whatsoever, ‘tis but of nought
they come and into nought must go.” Again anger took the king, and he
threatened Kieran; but from God vengeance came on the king, for on the instant
his sight was taken from him and in the presence of all that were present he
fell to the earth. Then came Carthach (that was pupil to Kieran and related to
the king) and besought Kieran for him; [in the end] by prayer of Carthach and
of many more it came to pass that for the king Kieran relighted his eyes and he
rose up whole (now to many it had seemed as though the king were dead, and it
were his resurrection that Kieran had effected thus), and being risen conferred
many alms on Kieran, and to God gave thanks.
Some good harpers that
Angus the king had at that time--they were melodious as they sang poems and
played their harps. Of a day that they walked through Muskerry in the province
of Munster, there they were slain by some that were enemies to them; their
bodies were hidden in a loch adjoining to the open ground in which they were
killed, and their harps were slung in a tree on the loch’s shore. Now this
[i.e. the harpers’ absence] misliked Angus, and he took it ill that he knew not
what was befallen them; but he was aware that Kieran was full of the Holy
Spirit’s virtue, and he came to him in order to learn that which had happened
to the harpers: for (seeing that he had embraced the faith of Christ) he would
not seek it of his magician. What Kieran said to him was: “thine harpers are
slain privily, and their bodies hidden in a loch hard by the spot where they
were killed; their harps moreover hang in a tree on the loch’s shore.” The king
besought Kieran that he would go with him to the loch in order that he might
find the bodies to have them raised; to the loch they went, and for three days
Kieran fasted in order that it should be possible to raise the bodies:
which three days’ fast being accomplished the loch’s water ebbed to an extent
such that they were no longer hidden at all. They were lifted and brought into
the presence of Kieran, who made prayer to God so that before all men the dead
rose as though they had but slept: their number was eight, and the length of
time that they had been in the loch an entire month. Out of the tree they (as
Kieran instructed them) took to them their harps, and in presence of the king,
of Kieran, and of all the rest in general, played delicious melody: in which
music was delightfulness such that great number of the multitude fell asleep to
it; and glory was given to God and to Kieran (as for the loch in which they had
been drowned, from that time forth water gathers not there; only that for a
commemoration of that miracle it still is called loch na gcruitiredh, i.e.
‘Loch of the Harpers’). Then Kieran, after the king’s and the harpers’
benediction had, returned - to his own metropolis.
On yet another day as the
king’s (Angus’s) steward walked through the land that is called Múscraighe tíre
there came in his way a herd of swine, and he bade his people kill a hog of
them; they killed and took it into the nearest wood to eat it. [Which while
they did] certain that were their enemies happening on them slew the steward
and a score of his people on the bank of the river that is called Brosnach.
When Kieran was certified of this, by his pupil Carthach (that was brother to
Angus the king, or it may be his grandson) and by others he was entreated that
they might go fetch the bodies of that company, so that wild beasts should not
devour them. They having reached the bodies then, Kieran saw that such number
as he had with him sufficed not to carry them to the church; with a loud voice
therefore he said: “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ rise wretched people!
come with me!" they rose straightway (the hog also with them), and a
certain holy man that had Eochaid to his name, and was of that same country,
returned to his house; but they that were raised up [and had not previously
been holy men] were from that time pious monks with Kieran.
Yet another day Kieran
walked, and in his way there was by chance a brake on which was great abundance
of blackberries; and from his seer’s quality he comprehended that [for some
purpose] these would be needed yet He provided them with a covering therefore,
that the winter’s cold should not touch them; and it was his intent that,
though to a year’s end they were there, they should be none the worse, if not
indeed all the better. It was after this that by a certain chief of his people
(Concraidh king of Ossory: he was the chief in question) a feast was prepared for
the king, for Angus; to consume which feast the king came, and his queen, and
with them a great multitude, the season being then just after Easter. At this
banquet the queen fell in love with Concraidh and (for he was comely of form
exceedingly) besought him to respond to her; but Concraidh refused this thing.
In order that after the king she might remain with Concraidh in the town the
queen resorted now to a feigned sickness, and said that if she might have
blackberries to eat she would be whole (for she never thought that at that
season it were feasible to get blackberries). On account of the king, Concraidh
for his part feared to have her in the town; he went therefore to where his own
peculiar patron Kieran was, to whom he shewed each particular that we have
mentioned (now every spot in Ossory belongs to Kieran’s ecclesiastical
jurisdiction). Kieran when he had heard the matter said “blackberries she shall
have,” and so went to the brake upon which in the foregoing autumn he had left
blackberries under cover; of which he brought back a vessel full and by
Concraidk sent them to the queen. She ate them and was whole, for on the spot
she cared no whit more for him; it was the taste of honey moreover that the
queen and every one that ate them found in those blackberries. She perceived
then that it was a miracle had been performed on her by Kieran, wherefore she
came and humbled herself to him and craved forgiveness; Kieran gave her
remission and his blessing too, but said: “from the death that is pronounced for
thee I may not save thee: for in the one day thyself and Angus must find death
in battle; but God will have mercy on you” (this was Eithne Uathack daughter of
Enna Cinnselach’s son Crimthann; Patrick foretold so much for them, and Kieran
too on this occasion, and it was true: for by Muirchertach mac Erca and Illann
son of Dúnlang king of Leinster, and by Conn’s Half, Angus and that queen fell
in the battle of Cill-osnad on Moy-Fea of Offaley (sic); the day on which that
battle was delivered being the eighth of the Ides of October, when the Lord’s
Age was thirteen years and fourscore and four hundred years. Patrick’s demise
in the same year).
Yet another day Patrick
and Angus son of Nadfraech with a great multitude came to Saighir (where Kieran
was), and eight oxen were slaughtered for them besides other meat [provided].
Said some one or other to Kieran: “for yon so great multitude of people where
is the profit in what meat is here?" Kieran answered: “He that in the
wilderness did with a little bread and fish satisfy many thousands may well
effect that to yonder numbers this small portion of meat shall be satiety.” He
blessed his own well, and turned it to wine; and of God’s grace and Kieran’s it
came that, so long as ever all such throngs as were present there desired it,
they had their sufficiency of meat and of wine.
Yet another time came the
king of Tara with a strong force to take the men of Munster’s pledges. Olioll
king of Cashel would not submit to him, but made a great gathering to oppose
him; and close to Kieran’s metropolis they met Kieran would fain have made
peace between them; they would not have it [i.e. his mediation] of him, and
from God he procured that which of proud human folk he had not gained: for in
the face of Munster as they marched to the battle a mighty wood sprang up,
while to bar Conn’s Half the Brosnach’s stream swelled over her banks so that
not one dared take it. When they saw that miracle fear seized them: the king,
seeing the current which formerly was passable for his hosts rise against them
now, turned away from that stream and departed to his own country; and that
night Munster lay in the vicinity of Kieran’s metropolis. He sent to the king a
beef and a pig ready cooked; with which meat the whole army was replete, and they
left fragments. By these various miracles God’s name and Kieran’s were
magnified.
Of another time great
bands of marauders came out of other countries into the marches of Munster, to
do pillage and to kill people; but a good man of Munster whose name was Lonan
overtook them, and the outlaws turned to flight. When they saw that they might
not by any means escape, they prayed Kieran to save them out of that extremity;
and when Lonan and his people would have taken and killed them, a thunderbolt
fell betwixt them and the robbers. Great fear took Lonan and his men, so that
beyond that point they followed them not, but reverted to their own
dwelling-place; and the bandits recognised that they were Kieran’s miracles
which had succoured them. They repaired to him therefore and told him their
story; and the course on which they resolved was to don religious habits, and
thenceforth to serve God and Kieran; this was performed by them, and until they
died they continued under Kieran’s hand in good works and in piety.
Yet another day came a
thief (whose name was Cairbre) of Leinster’s province, and stole an
extraordinary good cow that Kieran’s monks had; but as he made for Slievebloom
a mist and a darkness came down upon him so that the way was no longer patent
to him, and he falling into a river was drowned. The cow turned and to Kieran
and to the monks came back again.
Yet another day Kieran sent
to his nurse, to Cuinche, a team of oxen (they having no man with them) to
plough for her. Whenever the oxen were come to her she knew that it was Kieran
had sent them to her to plough: now it was a long way between Kieran and
Cuinche’s monastery i.e. Ros-bennachoir, for this is in the sea’s
neighbourhood, in the eastern part of Ireland. Those oxen ploughed of
themselves and (the time of ploughing ended) returned to Kieran, there being no
one with them. It was Kieran’s use upon every Christmas eve (after from his own
hand administering communion to his familia in Saigizir) to resort to his
nurse’s monastery, to Ros-bennachoir and from his own hand again to give her
too the communion of Christ’s Body; on which same night then he would return to
his own convent. And the manner after which we understand that it was God that
did this is [by considering] how he wrought with Abacus in bringing him from
India (his own country) to Chaldæa and back to India again in but a brief space
of the day. S. Cuinche’s great stone (on which she practised to pray to and to
supplicate her Lord) stood on the sea’s shore a space from the monastery: its
name is Carraig Chuinche now, round about which the sears waves would
oftentimes come up. Kieran one day mounted upon this: stone and it floated on
the sea; then, when Kieran so willed it, came back to its place. Nor was this
wonderful, for it is written: mirabilis Deus in sanctis suis (Ps. cxxxv.) i.e.
“God is marvellous in his saints.”
The pupil whom we have
said that Kieran had, Carthach namely: he and a virgin of Liadain’s familia
fell immoderately in love with each other and conceived a contaminated
intention of sinning; they appointed a place of meeting where they should be at
their ease to court, and attended the same; but when they would have embraced,
a thunderbolt fell between them so that - hardly they escaped unconsumed. Great
fear took them, and for the magnitude of their terror they uttered not a single
word; they returned back [from their assignation] but the virgin was stricken
blind, and till the time of her death was so: nor was it an inequitable
judgment that the woman who had blinded her mind even to [the pitch of
committing] sin should have her eyes blinded of corporal [i.e. physical] light.
Carthach for his part submitted to the penance imposed on him, and went on a
pilgrimage. Whence also Kieran’s sanctity is manifest; for God would not that
those two virgins should sin that were in the saint’s keeping, seeing that in
safeguarding of his flock he was a most zealous pastor.
To Kieran came two that
were brethren to each other (Odhran and Medhran their names were, of
Múscraighe-thíre and of the town called Letrach): and when these reached
Saighir the one man (it was Zk[ea!hran) longed to abide with Kieran; but Odhran
said: “not thus thou promisedst, my brother,” and told Kieran not to keep back
his brother from him. Kieran answered: “God shall judge betwixt us whose he
shall be: in his hand let him take this taper, let him blow on it with his
breath, and if the taper kindle let him remain with me; if it light not, let
him go with thee.” The taper was given him in his hand, he blew on it with his
breath, and straightway it lighted; therefore in great sanctity and in good
works Medhran till his death’s day abode with Kieran. To Odhran Kieran said: “I
tell thee, Odhran, that though thou range the whole world, yet ‘tis in thine
own town, in Letrach, thou shalt die; return therefore and in that same pass
thy time, for ‘tis from thee that it shall have its name for ever.” Through
Kieran’s words Odhran returned to his own town, where he made an honourable
monastery; his virtues and his sanctity were great, and after performance of
miracles in number (as is read in his own life) he went to Heaven. Thus then
Kieran’s words were verified, for Letrach Odhrain it is which serves that place
for a name.
Awoman called Etill
walked one day and chanced to be thrown down, so that her bones were broken and
she died; at three days’ end Kieran brought her to life again and she conceded
to him the land on which she had the fall: léirn Etille [i.e. ‘Etill’s Leap’]
is its name. Moreover she gave thanks to God and to Kieran.
Aretainer of the king’s
people, Cennfaela by name: he slew Cronan that was a friend to Kieran; the
saint revived him (and at the seventh day’s end it was he did it) in the name
of Christ He then [Cronan] being in the presence of all the rest whole again,
Kieran said: “he that killed thee (Cennfaela namely) shall be slain, and in the
castle which is called Rath... of Ely (?) his body shall be burned.”
Yet another day the king
of Munster (Olioll) addressed Kieran with surly words, and departed from him in
great wrath; but it was no long time before the king was stricken dumb, so that
for eight days he was speechless. He came to Kieran and prostrated himself
before him; he accused himself of his unlawful deeds [which he had committed]
and craved forgiveness; and Kieran, when he perceived that the king felt true
penitence, blessed his tongue so that at once and with plain clear utterance he
spoke, then, after Kieran’s blessing received, went away whole to his house and
magnified God’s name and the saint’s.
One night Kieran and a
pilgrim named Germanus that was with him entered into a stream of cold water,
in which when they had now been for a long time Germanus said: “Kieran, I may
no longer hold out in the water.” Kieran made the sign of the Holy Cross upon
the water, whereby he turned it to be ternperate and of bathing heat; and there
they were praising God.
Kieran said: “to-morrow,
Germanus, a beloved guest will come to us: Carthach namely, the king of
Munster’s son and mine own pupil, whom for a sin that he lusted to commit [and]
had not God and I hindered him [would have committed] I sent on a pilgrimage:
[I hindered him I say] for I would not that he should have ruined [or ‘thrown
away’] all his hitherto devotion and his labour. He having obtained remission
of his sins, and being cleansed of his fault, returns even now; thou therefore
take of this fish that surrounds thee, so that it shall be ready against my
beloved son.” As Kieran had bidden him, so Germanus caught a great fish; and on
the morrow (as also Kieran had said) Carthach came.
Yet another time by a
certain king named Furbaidhe Kieran of Clonmacnoise was taken and set in bonds:
the cause being that of the king’s treasure, which was in Kieran’s custody, the
saint (for he was full of pity) bestowed great portion on the poor of God.
Where Kieran was [in prison] thither the king came one day, and through jocoseness
said: “if I got four bald cows, red-bodied, with white heads on them, I would
enlarge thee.” He answered: “God is able for that same; but let me out to seek
them, and if I find them not I will myself return again to be at thy disposal.”
His bonds were loosened then and he came to Saighir, where the other Kieran
was, to whom he told this matter; at which time both the Brendans were with
Kieran, and to them all it was a gladdening that Kieran of Cluain was come.
Said the other Kieran to his man of trust: “what shall these saints have to eat
to-night?" the man of trust rejoined that, saving flesh alone, he had no
meat Kieran said: “with speed make ready that thou hast” The flesh then being
boiled, Kieran blessed it and in the others’ presence changed it at his
discretion to oil, to fish, to pottage, and to various meats; while by God’s
grace it came to pass that for the meal of those saints whom we have mentioned
all the vessels of the house were filled up with fine wine. There was within
there a monk (mac Congair he was) to whom it was distasteful to eat meat with
the saints, and he said that he would not use the meats that were made out of
the flesh. Kieran pronounced: “thou shalt e’en eat flesh in Lent, and on the
day in which thou shalt eat it thine enemies shall slay thee; thy head also
shall be taken from thee, and thou shalt not possess the kingdom of God; and
thy life thou shalt spend disastrously, for thy monk’s habit thou shalt lay
aside.” Now Kieran’s words came true, for close to Saighir of Kieran he was
killed.
Then those four saints
(two Kierans and two Brendans) made an alliance between themselves and between
their successors after them. Kieran of Cluain, after leave taken of those other
saints and their blessings had, turned to go his way, lacking all knowledge
where were the kine which the king demanded of him. Kieran of Saighir came a
piece of the way with him to convey him, and either gave the other farewell
benediction. Said Kieran of Cluaitt: “by my blessing’s efficacity be there for
ever in thy town riches, and much treasure, and cattle;" Kieran of Saighir
said: “by virtue of my blessing be there in thy place for ever wealth both of
wisdom and of piety.” When then they were come to the ford that is called
Ath-salach, upon the river’s bank they got four bald and white-headed cows.
Kieran of Cluain said: “seest thou how God hath given us the cows which the
king required of us?” They parted from each other then, having first rendered
thanks and praise to God, and having in token of peace and of grace given and
received blessing and osculations; Kieran the elder returned back to Saighir
and the other Kieran went to Cluain. He sent the kine to the king, who
marvelled how it could be that cows such as they had been found; but Kieran
being now discharged of his promise they vanished away to nothing, so that from
that time to this no account whatsoever of them has been had. Whereupon the
king was aware that that which he had done to Kieran was unrighteous.
In the monastery of
Clonmacnoise was a child whose name was Crithid: that in good works was no more
than a fool; but in bad works of maliciousness, right noxious. He came to
Saighir and for a while was there with Kieran the elder, who had enjoined that
till a year’s end a certain holy fire which at the previous Eastertide he had
consecrated must not be quenched within the monastery, but be nourished and
safeguarded there; yet at the Devil’s instigation the child of whom we spoke
came, and of set purpose quenched the fire. Kieran said: “know ye that the
accursed child whom men call Grithid of Cluain hath quenched the sacred fire
that we had? vengeance shall come on him for this, and he will die to-morrow.”
Which also was verified for on the morrow the wolves killed him on the lands
abroad, and there he was left [uneaten]. Kieran said “up to Easter shall be no
fire in the church unless God put it there.” But Kieran of Cluain heard that
the child was perished so, and speedily he came to Saighir where he was
received with much honour. The monastery wanted all fire however; for it was
from the aforesaid holy flame that every night they kindled others there, and
Kieran had pronounced that (unless God sent such from Heaven) there should not
until Eastertime be fire in it. But to the town on that day came [as we have
said] guests Kieran of Cluain and his company, who were much oppressed with
cold, for it was snowy weather then. Kieran the elder went out and with
vehement prayer stretched forth his hand to God; into his breast fell then a
fiery mass, round about which he wrapped his mantle’s skirt and took it into
the house where the guests were. Who being now warmed, supper was made ready
for them; but when they were set to eat it Kieran of Cluain declared that till
he should have restitution of the child he would not eat meat Kieran the elder
said: “we know that such is thy journey’s purpose, and God will grant us that
he come back alive to us; eat thy meat then, for that child is on his way to
us.” Even as Kieran said the word the child came, whom when they saw they
rendered thanks to God and to his sanctity. They ate their meal; and Kieran of
Cluain, having received Kieran the elder’s blessing, departed taking his child
with him.
Yet another day: one of
Kieran’s own brethren came and unguardedly, not of purpose, quenched the fire
again; he did penance and had absolution. That same day Ruadhan of Lothra came
to the town on a visit to Kieran, and in the monastery was no fire for the period
of the guests’ stay. Kieran went therefore to a great stone that was near him
and blessed it; forthwith the stone took fire, and in that condition he carried
it to the house in which the guests were. Which when Ruadhan with his disciples
saw, to God and to Kieran they gave glory and laudation.
The brother whom we
mentioned, Báithin: he spilt a vessel of milk that he had carrying it; but
Kieran made the sign of the cross on the utensil and it was full again. Fear
before their master, before Kieran, fell on the brother that had spilt the milk
and on some others of the brethren; after which many were confirmed in the
faith and in good works.
Kieran prayed to his Lord
one day: an angel came and shewed him that the season of his death was
[comprised] within but a short space. In the angel’s presence he craved of God
petitions three, and these he had of the angel even as he desired them, for
they had been promised to him by God: the first petition of them was that,
whosoever should be buried in his metropolis, in his burial-ground, the gates
of Hell should not be shut on him after the Judgment-day; the second petition
was that, whosoever should shew honour to his day, lack of the world’s wealth
should not afflict him, and that on the yonderside he should have Heaven; the
third petition was that the tribe of which he was and to which he was patron,
they of Ossory namely, never should by any extern tribe such as might come
unlawfully to take their country be worsted in battle, neither themselves go to
make unjust conquest in any other land.
This holy one of whom we
have spoken, Kieran of Saighir: in every place he was full of humility, and to
his death’s date loved to hear, to read, and to learn [i.e. study] the
Scripture. It is related too that he (with the saints of Ireland his
contemporaries) was with Finnian of Clonirard, and entered that school at an
advanced age, where he attained to great theology; so that on him (as on the
others) was bestowed the designation of ‘Finnian’s pupil.’ He being now grown ancient,
being of great wisdom also, instructed perfectly (as we have said), and an
honourable bishop, nevertheless (for love of humility and of knowledge) was
contented to learn still, while from him [at the same time] others derived
instruction. Moreover, from his ‘young age’ [i.e. from childhood] Kieran never
drank apght by which he might be drunken, never wrapped himself in downy or in
soft raiment, never partook of a banquet, never slept his fill, nor for love of
carousing and of good company rushed off anywhither. And his own tribe, the
tribe of Ossory (forby many other men) he converted to the faith. Many times he
was visited by angels; he ordained great number of bishops, of priests, and of
other orders of the Church. The angel instructed him also of a venerable well
by which much various disease and infirmity is healed: its name is tobar
Cicirain [i.e. ‘Tubberkieran’ or ‘Kieran’s Well’]. Thirty years Kieran, passed
in zealous service to God before his baptism. Then when by age and by sickness
he was now become infirm, the days of his death drew near to him; and out of
every quarter where they were he summoned to him his people and his
parishioners, and blessed them. He enjoined on them to keep God’s commandments,
and on the third of the nones of March he, being surrounded by choirs of
saints, with Christ’s peace received the sacraments of the Church. He dismissed
his spirit and, by God’s leave, in the one night with him a score and ten
bishops that he had himself ordained went likewise to the Kingdom of God.
Here is an end of the
Life of Kieran: written by Maurice O’Conor, ship-carpenter, in Cork.
SOURCE:
Silva Gadelica (I-XXXI).
ed. Standish Hayes O'Grady. Reprint of the 1892 ed. New York, Lemma Pub. Corp.,
1970.
SOURCE : http://www.maryjones.us/ctexts/kieran.html
SAINT KIERAN OF SAIGHIR
Commemorated March 5/18
St. Kieran (Ciaran) of
Saighir, or St. Kieran the Elder, is also called “the first-born of the Irish
saints”. He was born in the fifth century in the Irish kingdom of Ossory
and was related to the royal family. His father Luaigne was from Ossory, and
his mother Liadan came from Cork. When Liadan was pregnant, she had a dream
that a star fell from the sky and rested on her, which was understood as a sign
that her infant would have a special role in the history of the Irish Church.
Everybody saw brightness and holiness in little Kieran and he was loved by all.
He was very kind, humble, inquisitive, loved animals, but first of all wanted
to be closer to God. Various traditions connect him with different saints,
which is not always chronologically correct, so the connection would have been
spiritual, not physical.
Kieran may have been a
disciple of St. Finian of Clonard under whom he may have studied. In his youth
Kieran spent some time in continental Europe where he was ordained a priest. He
probably studied in Gaul (at
Tours) and Rome. On his return to Ireland, according to tradition, St.
Patrick, the enlightener of the emerald isle, consecrated him the first
Bishop of Ossory, where he preached the Gospels and has been venerated from
time immemorial. Later the saint settled in the forests of the kingdom of
Ossory where he lived in a tiny cell as a true anchorite in Saighir near the
Slieve Bloom mountains. According to his biographer, St. Patrick gave him a
bell saying that this bell would only ring on the spot where by the will of God
Kieran would eventually found a great spiritual center—and this spot was
Saighir.
By a spring, the ascetic
built a cell of wattle and thin branches smeared with mud, and the roof was of
grass and leaves. His diet consisted only of herbs and barley bread once a day,
and he drank only water. Some years passed. With time numerous disciples
started flocking to the ascetic who became famous for his miracles. And Kieran
founded the large monastery of Saighir on the site of his hermitage—not far
from Birr in present-day county Offaly—and became its first abbot. Many future
saints lived in this monastery, which became a center of learning and
preaching.
The place where the
monastery was situated—Saighir—most probably means “the fountain of Kieran”.
The holy man taught his brethren and led all those under his care to spiritual
perfection, setting them a good example in his life. Some while later the
saint’s mother Liadan, together with many other pious women, moved to live a
holy and God-pleasing life near her son’s monastery. One early source states
that Kieran himself founded a community for women close to his main abbey. The
monastery of St. Kieran at Saighir also became the place of burial of the kings
of Ossory in Ireland. The veneration of St. Kieran was so strong that a
perpetual fire was maintained in Saighir Abbey in his memory for many years
after his repose.
St. Kieran was a
celebrated ascetic. Sometime during his life he lived as a hermit on the island
of Cape Clear in Munster Province (now in County Cork), spending all his time
in unceasing prayer. There are also stories relating his life in a cave. St.
Kieran is listed among “the Twelve Apostles of Ireland”; that is, the saints
who studied at Clonard Monastery, though it is impossible to prove that all of
them were in fact monks there. Kieran in his spiritual labors imitated the
feats of the Desert Fathers and especially St.
John the Baptist, and, like many of them, he wore animal skins and slept on
the ground. Angels were his companions and helpers from childhood throughout
his life. His biographers said that the saint lived a life of prayer, fasting
and abstinence, and that he overcame the devil and made friends with those who
dwell in heaven.
Traditions relating the
close communication of Kieran with wild animals abound. When he lived in a
hermitage surrounded by forests, wolves, deer and other mammals, particularly
those which were sick or hurt, used to come to him, feeling his holiness and
asking him to cure them: and he healed every animal. According to his life, a
fox, a wolf and a badger helped the saint and served him and his monks in
monastic labors: to cut trees, to take the wood to the monastery and build
small cells. Once the fox dared to disobey the abbot: it stole his boots and
ran away to its hole in the forest. On Kieran’s command the wolf and the badger
found the fox and led it to the man of God. He rebuked the fox, ordered it to
do a penance by fasting for a certain time, and when the animal had done this,
he allowed it to stay at his monastery and work on.
Among the miracles
performed by this saint of God we should mention raising several people from
the dead through his intercessions. As a boy the saint once saw a hawk seizing
a defenseless baby bird from its nest. Little Kieran felt pity for the
nestling, prayed for it, and the bird of prey suddenly fell down and laid the
baby on the ground at his feet. The nestling looked almost lifeless: Kieran
prayed again, and the bird was restored to health. There lived a holy abbess
named Cuach many miles away from St. Kieran’s Monastery. She had been his nurse
in his childhood. And it was noticed that the holy abbot Kieran miraculously
visited his former nurse every year on Christmas night and gave her communion;
after that he speedily returned to his brethren to celebrate in some miraculous
way. One of his contemporaries suggested that each time Kieran was carried to
and from his nurse’s convent by angels, like the holy prophet Habakkuk, whom an
angel by the grace of God lifted by his hair and took him “by air” to Babylon
to give food to the prophet
Daniel in the lions’ den.
Once the saint blessed a
holy well so that it had the flavor of wine and honey. From that time on all
who drank from this well felt filled.
One day a venerable abbot
paid a visit to Kieran’s monastery. The brethren invited him to dinner. But it
was extremely cold in the abbey that day. St. Kieran prayed to God for at least
a little heat, and a fireball descended and the fire sufficed to heat up the
refectory with the abbot, the guest and all the monks. One day St. Patrick came
to St. Kieran’s monastery and some nobles with him. But there was a shortage of
food at the abbey. Kieran prayed and the supplies of food miraculously multiplied
at once. Another legend relates that a war broke out between two kingdoms in
Ireland. The opposing parties met near a brook close to Kieran’s monastery. The
saint showed himself to be a peacemaker: he went out and tried to persuade each
party not to fight; but they were stubborn. Then he started praying, and the
brook became so swollen that it turned into a wide river so that the armies
could not fight with each other at all. Only then, following this miracle did
they come to their senses and decide to stop the war.
According to tradition,
St. Kieran till the end of his life served as Bishop of Ossory and Abbot of
Saighir, tirelessly ministering to the people and working miracles. Afterwards
a whole town grew up around his monastery. St. Kieran of Saighir should be
distinguished from his famous namesake: St.
Kieran of Clonmacnoise, or St. Kieran the Younger, who lived approximately
at the same time as him. Kieran of Saighir reposed in the Lord in about the
year 530. By that time his fame had spread all over Ireland, though he did not
seek fame, but cared only for service to the Lord and people. On the day of his
repose many monks and bishops gathered at his death-bed. Kieran blessed them
and asked them to love each other and the monastery, to keep unity and piety
and to remember the temptations of our common enemy. The saint also asked them
to pray for him, and predicted that the time would come when the faith would be
distorted and the monasteries would be destroyed (indeed that was fulfilled
after the Anglo-Norman Conquest and at the Reformation).
After his demise, the
veneration of St Kieran spread rapidly all over the emerald isle and he has
been commemorated in all its dioceses since ancient times. His monastery became
the center of the Diocese of Ossory for several centuries (consequently the see
was transferred to Aghaboe and later to Kilkenny). Saighir Abbey prospered
until the eleventh century despite several attacks by the Vikings, and after
the Norman Conquest it was occupied by Augustinians in 1170. The Augustinian
priory was closed in the sixteenth century and monastic life here stopped,
though the atmosphere of holiness (even among the ruins) still reigns.
The saint was often
depicted with a fox, a doe or a badger. Today pilgrims can visit the ruins of
Saighir Monastery. The village where the monastic remains are located is called
Clareen, in County Offaly. The stump of the tenth-century monastic round tower
and the base of a Celtic decorated “high cross” can be distinguished there,
along with a holy well (whose water heals headaches) and a “holy tree”
connected with the saint. According to local residents, even water that gathers
in the cross base cures warts, and a stone lying near the tree has marks of the
knees of the saint who supposedly prayed on it! In the nineteenth century a new
Anglican Church (Church of Ireland) in honor of St. Kieran was built there
right near the ruins, and it incorporates some stones from the ancient
structure. Every year on March 5, Catholic believers organize processions to
these holy sites linked with Kieran. Ruins of an ancient church and an early
holy well can be found on Cape Clear Island where the saint lived as a hermit.
It is said that the saint built this church himself. Part of a very early cross
can also be seen there. This isle is virtually the most southerly populated
area in Ireland. Its present population is about 100 people. According to
tradition, St. Kieran was born precisely on this island or near it. There are
ruins of the early medieval St. Kieran’s Church, a holy well and a bush
connected with the saint in the village of Errill in County
Laois. Tradition holds that the saint built a monastery there.
Today he is the
patron-saint of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ossory in Ireland and is
venerated by many Christians, including Orthodox. Outside Ireland this saint is
venerated in Wales (where, according to a legend, he visited St.
Illtud and preached), in England, Scotland and Brittany.
Holy Father Kieran of
Saighir, pray to God for us!
3/18/2016
SOURCE : http://orthochristian.com/91544.html
Diocese of Ossory
(Ossoriensis.)
In the Province of
Leinster, Ireland, is
bounded on the south by the Suir, on the east by the Barrow, on the west by
Tipperary and King's County, and on the north by Queen's County. It has an area
of 600,000 acres, and corresponds geographically with the ancient Kingdom of
Ossory, whose first king, Aengus Osrithe, flourished in the second century of
the Christian era.
His successors extended their boundaries to include part of Tipperary. In the
fifth century the neighbouring tribe of the Deisi, aided by the Corca- Laighde,
conquered South Ossory, and for over a century, the Corca- Laighde chiefs ruled
in place of the dispossessed Ossory chiefs. Early in the seventh century the
ancient chiefs recovered much of their lost possessions, the foreigners were
overcome, and the descendants of Aengus ruled once more. One of the greatest
was Carroll, prominent in the ninth century and distinguished in the Danish wars.
Ossory had been Christianized long
before this. St. Kieran, its apostle, now the patron of the diocese, was born about the
fourth century at a place now known as St. Kieran's Strand, near Cape Clear,
and was probably converted to the Faith by foreign traders. According to the
tradition, he went to Rome
and was there ordained
priest and bishop. Having met St. Patrick, St. Kieran
received from him a bell with the charge to return to Ireland and found a monastery on the spot
where the bell should first sound. When the saint had passed beyond
Ossory, and was descending the western slopes of Slieve Bloom, the bell at
length sounded; and here St. Kieran established the monastery of
Seir-Kieran, the centre from which Ossory was evangelized. St. Patrick also visited
Ossory and preached and founded churches there. There is some difficulty in
accepting the story of St. Kieran having preached before St. Patrick, since the
former is said to have flourished in the sixth century. It is, however, certain
that St. Kieran laboured in Ossory. In the centuries following the
newly-converted kingdom was ruled from Seir-Kieran by the abbots. They had other monasteries subject to
them, and probably other bishops,
and perhaps were not always bishops themselves,
though at Seir-Kieran, as at Iona, there was always a
bishop. Their jurisdiction was tribal
rather than territorial, and hence the diocese was enlarged or
contracted as the fortunes of the Ossory chiefs rose or fell. At the synod of
Rathbreasail (1118) the limits of the diocese were permanently
fixed substantially as they have since remained. At the same time the see was transferred from
Seir-Kieran to Aghaboe (see SAINT CANICE), but at
the end of the twelfth century it was transferred to Kilkenny, where it has
since remained. It is probable that St. Canice founded a monastery at Kilkenny,
and not unlikely that the beginnings of a town soon appeared there, to become
more important when the bishops
changed from Aghaboe. Kilkenny also became the residence of Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, Strongbow's
heir and descendent, by whom Kilkenny Castle was built. Before the fourteenth century
Marshall's inheritance passed to the Butlers, and under them Kilkenny became
great. It was made up of an Irish and an English
town, each with a charter, and each, until 1800, returning two members to the Irish Parliament. The
united towns were incorporated by a charter from Elizabeth, and by a further
charter from James I, as a free city, with a mayor. The city still returns a
member to the Imperial Parliament. The Butlers, ennobled as Earls and Dukes of
Ormonde, have always interested themselves in its welfare. These powerful
nobles were sometimes charged with the government of Ireland; not
infrequently Kilkenny was the residence of the viceroy and saw a Parliament
sitting within its walls, and there the Statute of Kilkenny was passed (1367).
The Ormondes were always favourable to Anglo-Norman development at Kilkenny,
and after the beginning of the thirteenth century no Irishman was appointed to
the See of Ossory. In the reign of Bishop Hugh De Rous (1202-15) the cathedral of St. Canice was built.
Two subsequent bishops,
De Mapilton (1251-60) and Thomas Barry (1427- 60), filled the office of
treasurer of Ireland,
while another, Richard De Northalis (1387-95), acted as the King's ambassador
abroad. At the Reformation,
though the Earls of Ormonde were among the first to conform, Ossory clung to
the Faith; and when John Bale was appointed bishop by Edward VI, and
endeavoured to Protestantize
the people, he was roughly handled and driven from Kilkenny, leaving Ossory in
peace. The peace ended with the death of Mary, and in Elizabeth's reign the see was vacant for
seventeen years. From 1602 to 1618 Ossory was again without a bishop, and when Dr. Rothe was appointed
(1620) there was not a Catholic
bishop in Ireland. In the
rebellion of 1641 Kilkenny was the centre of national resistance and the
headquarters of the Catholic
Confederation. The part played by Dr. Rothe was prominent
and patriotic; but his best efforts were unavailing, for Ormonde was able to
foment divisions, the Anglo-Irish and the old Irish would not blend
for the common good, and the want of vigour in Catholic counsels prepared
the way for Ormonde's treachery and Cromwell's victories. While the
Cromwellians held Kilkenny, Rothe died there (1650),
and for twenty years following Ossory was governed by vicars. During the few
periods of toleration in the reign of Charles II a feeble revival of religion
took place. In 1678 the bishop
reported to Rome, that
in many cases one priest
was in charge of five or six parishes; that the few
remaining Franciscans,
Dominicans, Jesuits, and Capuchins ministered by
stealth and in ruined churches; and that the Carmelites, Cistercians, and Canons Regular of St.
Augustine had completely disappeared.
In the penal times Ossory
suffered much, but its faith
survived, and when toleration came it was ruled by an exceptional man, De Burgo
(1759-86). Equally capable was his successor, Troy (1777-86), subsequently Archbishop of Dublin. To understand
his praise of George III, his friendship with the viceroy and with Luttrell,
son of the infamous
Lord Carhampton, we must make allowance for the times in which he lived. He
acted from no personal motive, but for the good of the Church, for he was zealous in propagating
the Faith and enforcing discipline. He was among the first of the Irish bishops to take
advantage of the relaxation of the penal laws and set up a college for his diocese by the purchase
of Burrell's Hall, Kilkenny. Two of its first staff became his successors, Dr.
Dunne (1787-89) and Dr. Lanigan (1789-1812). Under the latter the college at
Burrell's Hall was transferred to more suitable premises and its curriculum
extended. It was not until the episcopate of Dr. Kinsella that a diocesan college worthy
of Ossory was founded. In 1836 the foundation stone of St. Kieran's College,
Kilkenny, was laid and two years later the college was opened for
students. Dr. Kinsella also aided his priests to build several
parochial churches.
He laid the foundation stone of the Cathedral of St. Mary in
1843, though the exterior was not finished until 1857, nor solemnly consecrated until 1899.
Dr. Walsh (1846-72) succeeded Dr. Kinsella, and was succeeded by Dr. Moran, now
(1911) Cardinal Archbishop of Sydney. Dr. Moran was
succeeded, in 1884, by Dr. Brownrigg, a native of Carlow. Educated at Maynooth, Dr. Brownrigg
displayed unusual ability, was ordained priest in 1861, and was
subsequently professor at St. Peter's College, Wexford, and superior of the
House of Missions at Enniscorthy.
No diocese in Ireland is more
interesting than Ossory for historical and antiquarian remains. There are the
relics of old churches associated with the lives and acts of the early Irish saints, such as those of
Seir-Kieran and Aghaboe. There are round towers, Norman castles, and holy
wells, raths and mounds, ancient forts, cromlechs, and pillar stones. In the parish of Danesfort is
Burnchurch castle, in Durrow the castle of Cullahill. There are the ruins of
Kells Priory and of Inistioge, the Dominican priory of Rosebercon,
and the Cistercian
abbey of Jerpoint. Kilkenny Castle is an interesting relic of history, and near
by are the remains of the Franciscan
abbey, the Black
Abbey, and St. John's priory.
The number of distinguished men connected with the diocese is large. Clyn and Grace, the annalists, were both of
Kilkenny. Rothe was
not only a public man, but an author of eminence. De Burgo's work on the Irish Dominicans is still an
essential book for Irish
historians. Other famous men are: James Butler, Archbishop of Cashel, author of
"Butler's Catechism"; Dr. Minogue, Bishop of Sacramento;
Dr. Ireland, Archbishop
of St. Paul; Dr.
O'Reilly, Archbishop
of Adelaide; Dr. John
O'Donovan; Dr. Kelly, for many years professor of ecclesiastical history
at Maynooth; Dr.
O'Hanlon, theological
professor in the same college; Dr. MacDonald, his successor; and Dr. Carrigan,
whose "History of Ossory" is the most complete history of any Irish diocese. In 1910
the diocese contained: 41 parishes;
36 parish priests; 5
administrators; 58 curates;
11 regulars (a total of 119 priests); 96 churches; 1 college; 4
houses of regulars; 15 convents;
4 houses of Christian
Brothers. In 1901 the Catholic
population was 83,519; the non- Catholic, 6029.
Sources
MORAN, Spicilegium
Ossoriense (Dublin, 1874-84); CARRIGAN, History and Antiquities of the Diocese
of Ossory (Dublin, 1905); LANIGAN, Ecclesiastical History of Ireland (Dublin,
1822); HEALY, Life and Writings of St. Patrick (Dublin, 1905); MORAN, Analecta
of David Rothe (Dublin, 1884); GILBERT, History of Irish Affairs (Dublin,
1880); O'DONOVAN, ed., Annals of the Four Masters (Dublin, 1860); MEEHAN,
Confederation of Kilkenny (Dublin, 1882); IDEM, Irish Hierarchy in the
Seventeenth Century (Dublin, 1872); RINUCCINI, Embassy in Ireland, tr. HUTTON
(Dublin, 1873); GRACE, Annals (Dublin, 1842); CLYN, Annals (Dublin, 1849);
HARRIS, Ware (Dublin, 1764); CARTE, Life of James, Duke of Ormonde; HARDIMAN,
Statute of Kilkenny (Dublin, 1843); STOKES, Lives of the Saints from the Book
of Lismore (Oxford, 1890); BRADY, Episcopal Succession (Rome, 1867); MURPHY,
Cromwell in Ireland (Dublin, 1871); PRENDERGAST, Cromwellian Settlement
(Dublin, 1875); Catholic Directory for 1910.
D'Alton, Edward.
"Diocese of Ossory." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 11. New York:
Robert Appleton Company, 1911.
<https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11342b.htm>.
Transcription. This
article was transcribed for New Advent by Herman F. Holbrook. A solis ortu
usque ad occasum laudabile nomen Domini.
Ecclesiastical
approbation. Nihil Obstat. February 1, 1911. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor.
Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York.
Copyright © 2026 by New Advent LLC.
Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
SOURCE : https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11342b.htm
San Ciarano (Kieran)
Vescovo
Festa: 5 marzo
Ciarano di Saighir,
vescovo di Ossory, fu uno dei primi vescovi irlandesi a predicare il
cristianesimo in una terra ancora pagana. Fondò il monastero di Saighir, che
divenne un importante centro di evangelizzazione. Grazie al suo lavoro, il
cristianesimo si diffuse rapidamente nella regione di Ossory. Ciarano è
considerato uno dei santi più importanti d'Irlanda.
Martirologio Romano: A
Saighir nella regione dell’Ossory in Irlanda, san Chierano, vescovo e abate.
Ciarano di Saighir, vescovo di Ossory, è una figura avvolta nella leggenda, ma è certo che fu un importante evangelizzatore dell'Irlanda, sia prima che dopo l'arrivo di san Patrizio.
Nato in una famiglia di nobili, Ciarano si recò a Roma, dove fu consacrato vescovo. In Italia incontrò san Patrizio, che lo inviò in Irlanda per precederlo nella diffusione del cristianesimo.
Rientrato in patria, Ciarano si ritirò in una cella solitaria nella regione di Ossory, dove condusse vita eremitica in compagnia di animali selvatici.
Intorno a lui si radunarono poi molti discepoli, che diedero vita a un monastero a Saighir, la cui parrocchia fu chiamata Sier-Cìarán dal nome del santo.
Ciarano evangelizzò la regione circostante e fu un elemento di primo piano nello sviluppo dell'organizzazione ecclesiastica dell'Irlanda.
Nell'alto Medioevo fu identificato con san Pirano di Cornovaglia, per cui alcune sue Vitae narrano di viaggi in questa regione e della sua morte in essa.
Ciarano è venerato come santo in molte parti dell'Irlanda, dove è festeggiato il 5 marzo. Il monastero di Saighir è il centro del suo culto, ma numerose chiese gli sono dedicate in tutta l'isola. La diocesi di Ossory lo considera il suo primo vescovo e lo onora come suo principale patrono.
Il periodo temporale della vita di Ciarano è incerto, ma è certo che fu un
importante figura nell'evangelizzazione dell'Irlanda, sia prima che dopo
l'arrivo di san Patrizio.
Autore: Franco Dieghi
St.
Kieran' chair St. Canice's Cathedral Kilkenny Ireland
Il
trono di san Kieran, conservato nella Cattedrale anglicana di San Canizio a
Kilkenny.
La figura di Ciarano, (gael. Cìarán, irl. Kieran), di Saighir, vescovo di Ossory, chiamato spesso con l'appellativo di senior per essere distinto dall'omonimo abate di Clonmacnoise, è avvolta tutta nella leggenda ed è impossibile stabilire con certezza la cronologia della sua vita.
Secondo alcuni autori, Ciarano farebbe parte della seconda generazione dei santi irlandesi e sarebbe stato uno dei dodici vescovi che san Patrizio consacrò al suo arrivo in Irlanda per associarseli nell'opera di evangelizzazione dell'isola. Tuttavia, una tenace tradizione, non priva di una certa attendibilità, lo considera come uno dei vescovi impegnati nella diffusione del cristianesimo in Irlanda prima dell'arrivo di san Patrizio: per questo a Ciarano viene comunemente attribuito il titolo di «primogenito» dei santi irlandesi e viene considerato anche il «precursore» di san Patrizio; un annotatore del Félire Oengusso lo chiama addirittura episcopus episcoporum.
Secondo la leggenda, tramandata nelle numerose Vitae gaeliche e latine, Ciarano, nato nella regione di Ossory, conosciuto superficialmente il cristianesimo nella patria ancora pagana, si recò a Roma e vi fu consacrato vescovo. In Italia egli incontrò anche Patrizio, non ancora elevato all'episcopato, che lo inviò in Irlanda perché lo precedesse. Ciarano, tornato in patria, si ritirò nell'Ossory, a Saighir, in una cella solitaria, ove condusse vita eremitica in compagnia di un cinghiale, una volpe, un tasso, un lupo, una cerva e un cerbiatto, che vissero con lui in soggezione e familiarità. A questo proposito, si può notare che le Vitae di Ciarano inaugurano un nuovo genere nella letteratura agiografica, introducendo fantasiose e graziose storie di animali dalle quali si ricavano insegnamenti morali e ascetici.
Presso Ciarano si radunarono in seguito molti discepoli: sorse così a Saighir un monastero attorno al quale fu costruito un villaggio la cui parrocchia fu chiamata Sier-Cìarán dal nome del santo. La regione circostante fu evangelizzata dalla comunità di Ciarano, che, come capo di un monastero, insignito della dignità episcopale, si rivelò un elemento di primo piano nello sviluppo dell'organizzazione ecclesiastica dell'Irlanda.
Nell'alto Medioevo Ciarano fu identificato con san Pirano di Cornovaglia, per cui alcune sue Vitae narrano di viaggi in questa regione e della sua morte in essa.
Ben presto venerato come santo, in molte parti dell'Irlanda Ciarano è festeggiato il 5 marzo; al centro del culto a lui tributato fu il monastero di Saighir, ma numerose chiese gli sono dedicate in tutta l'isola. La diocesi di Ossory lo considera il suo primo vescovo e lo onora come suo principale patrono.
Autore: Gian Michele Fusconi
SOURCE : https://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/43910
Seir
Kieran, County Offaly, Ireland - West gable of St. Ciaran's Church
Den hellige Kieran av Saighir
(~446-~530)
Minnedag:
5. mars
Skytshelgen for
bispedømmet Ossory og provinsen Munster i Irland; en av «Tolv apostler av
Irland»; en av Quattuor sanctissimi episcopi
Den hellige Kieran
(Kiernan, Kyran, Kiaran, Ciaran, Ciarán, Kenerin; lat: Ciaranus, Kiaranus,
Kiranus, Kyaranus, Kieranus, Keramus, Keranus, Kyranus, Geranus, Piranus,
Pyranus) eller Ciarán mac Luaigne levde på 400- og 500-tallet og er en av de
mest berømte irske helgenene.
Kildene er motstridende
når det gjelder datering, men Kieran kalles ofte «den førstefødte av Irlands
helgener», beatissimus episcopus Ciaranus sanctorum Hibernia primogenitus, og
han kan godt ha vært en av flere misjonærer i Irland før den hellige Patrick av Irland
(Pádraig) (ca 389-461). Han regnes som en av de fire «biskopene» fra Munster
som skal ha virket i Irland før Patrick organiserte den irske kristenheten. De
fikk biografier skrevet som hevdet at de grunnla klostre og forkynte evangeliet
i Munster før deres yngre samtidige Patrick.
Disse fire pre-patrisiske
helgener av Munster har fra 1600-tallet vært kjent som Quattuor sanctissimi
episcopi («De fire helligste biskoper»). I tillegg til Kieran var det snakk om
de hellige Ailbe av
Emly (d. ca 526), Declan av Ardmore
(d. ca 500) og Ibar
av Begerin (d. 500). Noen kilder bytter ut Ibar av Begerin med hans nevø,
den hellige Abban
av Moyarney (Adamstown) (d. 520? 620?) på denne listen. Ibar hadde ingen
egen biografi, men det hadde Abban, og det er fra den biografien vi har
opplysningen at Ibar var Abbans onkel og lærer. De relevante biografiene finnes
alle i den såkalte Dublin Collection, som bærer preg av redigering.
De irske annalene
plasserer dem imidlertid som enten samtidige med eller senere enn Patrick. På
begynnelsen av 1000-tallet, eller muligens så sent som på 1100-tallet,
manifesterte det seg et ønske blant høvdingene i Munster om å ha sin egen
erkebiskop, og for å underbygge kravet, lot man som om det hadde vært fire
biskoper i det sørlige Irland før Patrick kom, og disse var Kieran, Ailbe,
Declan og Ibar. Opplysninger om dette skal ha blitt satt inn i deres
biografier, noe som naturligvis skapte anakronismer. Det er usannsynlig at noen
av de fire var biskoper før Patrick, men både Kieran og de andre kan godt ha
vært Patricks samtidige. Kieran kan også ha vært en av de tolv som Patrick viet
til biskoper, eller han kan ha blitt bispeviet på kontinentet.
Kierans biografi er full
av dunkelheter, men det sies vanligvis at han forlot Irland før Patricks
ankomst. Han skal allerede ha vært kristen og ha dratt til kontinentet da han
var rundt tretti år for å lære mer om sin religion. Han ble utdannet i Tours og
i Roma, og der ble han døpt og presteviet. Men det meste som er kjent om
Kieran, har ingen historisk verdi, uansett hvor underholdende eller
oppbyggelige historiene om ham enn måtte være.
Kieran kom fra Ossory, et
gammelt irsk kongerike, historisk kalt Osraige (Osraighe) og på moderne irsk
Osraí. Osraige var en keltisk stammegruppe og navnet betyr «hjortefolket». Det
var hovedsakelig en bufferstat mellom kongerikene (nå provinsene) Leinster i
øst og Munster i sør, men det beholdt sin uavhengighet, i det minste nominelt, langt
inn i historisk tid. Kong Óengus mac Nad Froích (Aengus) av Munster drev
imidlertid ut den gamle kongefamilien fra Ossory, så Kieran ble født i eksil.
Hans far Luaigne (Luaighne, Laighne, Lugna) var en adelsmann fra Ossory og skal
ha vært sønn av Rumhann Duach av hovedlinjen i Osraige.
Hans mor var Liaden
(Liadain, Liadán, Liadhain, Lidan), datter av Maine Cearr, skytshelgen for
Killyon (Ceall Liadhaine) i sognet Drumcullen nær Saighir, og kanskje også av
Killeane i sognet Kilmoe i det vestre Cork. Hun skal ha tilhørt Corca-laighde
(Corca Laoighdhe, Corco Loígde) fra det området som i dag dekkes av bispedømmet
Ross i det sørvestre Cork. Corca-laighde hevdet å være det første folket i
Irland som mottok kristendommen. Til tross for sin avstamming på farssiden ble
Kieran oppdratt blant Corca-laighde, et mulig tegn på hans opprinnelige
avstamming. I tillegg finnes det sterke bevis på at Corca-laighde hadde
overherredømme over Osraige i den tidlige historiske perioden. Faktisk bringer
Kierans biografi ham og Conchraid mac Duach, en av Corca-laighde-kongene av
Osraige, sammen som allierte. Kieran skal ha gitt sin mor det religiøse sløret
og ga henne en celle eller et kloster nær sitt eget, og det ble kalt Ceall
Lidain.
Cape Clear Island sørvest
for grevskapet Cork i provinsen Munster regnes tradisjonelt som Kierans
fødested. Det offisielle navnet på Cape Clear Island er Cléire, og noen ganger
kalles den på irsk også for Oileán Chléire. På øya finnes det en kirke som
angivelig skal være bygd av Kieran. I sitt eksil ble familien kjent med den
lille stammen Cliu Cathraighe, som bodde i nordhellingen av Mount Leinster, men
som ble drevet i eksil av den hedenske kongen i området etter at de ble
konvertert rundt 430 av den hellige Iserninus. En
ung jente fra denne klanen, den hellige Cocha (Cóch),
ble barnepike eller fostermor for Kieran. Han må ha vært hos henne lenger enn
den perioden i barndommen man ikke har noen minner fra, for han hadde alltid
siden den dypeste og ømmeste hengivenhet for Cocha.
Da Kieran kom tilbake til
Irland fra kontinentet rundt 450, bygde han seg en liten celle i skogene i øvre
del av det som en gang var grevskapet King’s County – nå Offaly. Der slo han
seg ned som eneboer ved fjellene Slieve Bloom. Etter hvert som disipler snart
samlet seg rundt ham, vokste det frem et stort kloster rundt hans celle, og
Kieran ble klosterets abbed. Rundt dette klosteret vokste det opp en by som ble
kalt Seir-Ciaran, senere Saighir (Saigir) eller Saighir Chiaráin, eller
Serkeiran, nå Seir-Kieran, rundt seks kilometer sørøst for Birr. Hans mor
Liaden skal ha dratt til Saighir sammen med en gruppe kvinner som viet sine liv
til å tjene Gud og medlemmene av hennes sønns kommunitet, og Kieran skal ha
grunnlagt et kvinnekloster for dem som han satte sin mor i spissen for.
Da Patrick kom til
Irland, skal abbed Kieran med stor iver ha gitt ham sin assistanse, og som
nevnt er det mulig at han var en av de tolv biskopene som Patrick ved sin
ankomst konsekrerte til sine hjelpere. Han ble den første biskopen av Ossory,
med fleksible grenser ettersom folkestammen Ossorys makt økte eller avtok.
Ossory som stedsnavn er i dag bevart i det katolske bispedømmet Ossory. På
synoden i Rathbreasail (1118) fikk bispedømmet sine nåværende grenser, og
samtidig ble bispesetet flyttet fra Seir-Kieran til Aghaboe. På slutten av
1100-tallet ble setet flyttet til Kilkenny, hvor det fortsatt er. På 1100-tallet
ble augustinerkanniker etablert i Saighir Kieran.
Under biskop Hugh De Rous
(1202-15) ble katedralen St Canice’s bygd i Kilkenny. Den er Irlands nest
største, men er overtatt av den anglikanske Church of Ireland som sete for
bispedømmet Cashel and Ossory. I 1782 opprettet biskop Patrick Francis Moran av
Ossory (senere kardinal – i Sydney) et katolsk seminar i Kilkenny og kalte det
St Kieran’s College. Da den katolske katedralen ble påbegynt i 1843 (vigslet i
1899), fikk den navnet St Mary’s, men den har Kieran som sin andre navnepatron.
Kieran er også skytshelgen for det katolske bispedømmet Ossory, som omfatter
det meste av dagens grevskap Kilkenny og deler av grevskapene Laois og Offaly.
Det finnes mange
historier om mirakler som Gud utførte gjennom Kieran, inkludert å gjenoppvekke
flere døde. Det finnes også sjarmerende legender om hans forbindelser med
dyreriket, spesielt om hans innflytelse over ville dyr.
En ulv, en grevling og en
rev arbeidet sammen for Kieran og hans munker og hjalp dem med å hogge ved og
bygge hytter. Så stjal reven Kierans sko og rømte til sitt hi. Den hellige ga
ulven og grevlingen i oppgave å bringe reven tilbake. Grevlingen bandt reven
fra ører til hale og brakte den uvillig tilbake. Kieran refset reven, ba den
faste og gjøre bot som en munk, og å fortsette arbeidet som før.
En annen legende
forteller hvordan den salige biskopen som ung så en hauk som stupte ned og
snappet en fugleunge fra et reir. Kieran ble grepet av medfølelse med det lille
kreket, og han ba om fugleungen måtte bli reddet. Da fløy hauken ned og la den
for hans føtter, opprevet og blødende, men straks ble den på underfullt vis
restaurert til helse og styrke.
Da kong Óengus mac Nad
Froích (Aengus) av Munster tillot Kieran å etablere et kloster i Saighir ved
Ossorys grenser og å utøve den kirkelige jurisdiksjonen over Ossory, må han ha
gjort dette nølende og under betingelser, for Kieran tilhørte den utviste
kongefamilien fra Ossory. Selv om det ikke er uttalt, kan vi mistenke at en av
betingelsene som ble pålagt Kieran, var at han skulle ta imot kong Óengus’
sønn, eller mest trolig sønnesønn, den hellige Carthagus den eldre
(Carthach, Carthage; Carthach mac Fianáin) som sin elev og gjøre ham til sin
etterfølger som abbed, slik at både det kirkelige og det verdslige herredømmet
over Ossory med tiden skulle være i inntrengernes hender.
Kieran fant at Carthagus
var en brysom elev, og han hadde en kjærlighetshistorie med en jente i det
religiøse etablissementet til Liadhain, Kierans mor. Den ble avbrutt av et lyn
som slo ned på stedet for stevnemøtet, noe som skremte jenta slik at hun sprang
tilbake til Liadhain og bekjente sin synd. Da involverte Carthagus seg med en
annen jente i klosteret til Cocha, Kierans barnepike, og da jenta fikk et barn
med ham, provoserte skandalen Kieran til å insistere på at Carthagus forlot
Saighir for en stund og så sitt ugress utenlands.
Da Carthagus ble sendt
bort fra Saighir på grunn av sin løse moral, dro han til Gallia. Vi vet ikke i
hvilken del av landet, men han ble værende der i noen år. Deretter vendte han
tilbake til Irland. Kieran badet en dag sammen med en munk ved navn Germanus,
da sistnevnte fikk en fisk. Kieran sa: «Den vil klare seg middag i morgen, når
jeg venter at min gamle elev vender tilbake til meg». Neste dag kom Carthagus
og ble mottatt med stor glede. Ettersom Carthagus var ferdig med sin fortjente
kanoniske bot, ble han gjenopptatt som medlem av det religiøse brorskapet.
Man antar at Kieran viet
Carthagus til prest og muligens til biskop. I Martyrologiet i Donegal sies det
at Kieran på sitt dødsleie «viet sin menighet til Gud og til Carthagus». Trolig
kunne han ikke gjøre noe annet i henhold til avtalen med kong Óengus mac Nad
Froích, som kunne tvinges gjennom av Eochaidh, hans sønn og etterfølger som
konge av Munster.
Kieran døde rundt 530 og
hans død beskrives i gamle irske dokumenter. Da den hellige Finnian av Clonard
visste at tiden var kommet for Kierans død, skyndte han seg for å være sammen
med ham i hans siste øyeblikk, for selv om Kieran på sine gamle dager hadde
innrullert seg blant Finnians disipler, var det likevel fra ham at Finnian
hadde lært de første leksjonene om himmelsk visdom. Tretti biskoper kom også
til Saigher, alle opplært i fromhet av Kieran og blitt presteviet av ham. Da
disse hadde samlet seg rundt ham, sa han til dem: «Mine brødre, be med meg til
Gud om at jeg ikke må stå alene for hans dommersete, men at Hans hellige
helgener og engler må være med meg. Be også om at min vei opp til Kongen ikke
må være gjennom mørke, og at Hans smil må ønske meg velkommen».
Deretter vendte han seg
mot sine munker, velsignet dem og overlot dem til Gud og til Mochuda. Han
formante dem til å fortsette deres fromhet, å elske deres kloster og vokte seg
mot ondskapens sønn, slik at deres velsignede dager ikke måtte forkortes.
Deretter løftet han sine øyne mot himmelen og la profetisk til: «For det vil
komme en tid da ondskapen vil seire og kirkene skal bli revet og klostrene bli
redusert til en ødemark, og den hellige sannhet skal bli korrumpert til
falskhet, og den hellige vil få et skjær av fordervelse, og alle og enhver vil
ikke søke det som er hans eget, men det som ikke tilhører ham».
Deretter gikk han i
spissen for de andre inn i klosterkirken hvor han pleide å feire messen, og der
ved alteret he feiret han det hellige messeoffer, og etter å ha mottatt Kristi
legeme og Blod og mottatt den siste olje (sykesalvingens sakrament), ba han
brødrene om å gravlegge hans legeme på et hemmelig sted som ingen måtte få vite
om bortsett fra dem selv, nær det stedet som var helliget av den hellige
Martins relikvier, og hvor levningene av de hellige menn som hadde gått foran
ham var blitt lagt. Og nå, etter at han hadde fullendt sin seier av abstinens
og bot, og oppnådd sin triumf over demonene og verden, kom englenes hærskare
for å møte Kierans sjel, gi ham himmelens hilsninger og lede ham til Gud. Ved
midnatt trakk han sitt siste åndedrag, men det var så mange lys som brant rundt
ham at natten syntes å ha forvandlet seg til dag. Hans legeme ble svøpt i
kostbar lin, og i syv dager ble det sunget hymner og lovsanger for å takke Gud
for den nåde han hadde vist Kieran, og jorden syntes å puste den himmelske
vellukt, men hans sjel var i himmelen sammen med de hellige Patrick og Martin
og alle de andre Guds helgener.
Hagiografen Sabine
Baring-Gould har forsøkt å rekonstruere en kronologi for Kieran:
ca 438: Utvisning av
klanen Cliu av Enna Cinnselach
445: Utvisning fra Ossory
av Óengus mac Nad Froích
ca 446: Kieran født i
eksil på Inis Cliar
ca 458: Retur av klanen
Cliu, Kieran mister sin barnepike
ca 476: Kieran forlater
Irland og blir døpt
ca 479: Kieran returnerer
til Irland
ca 480: Kieran møter St
Patrick ved Oengus’ hoff i Cashel, grunnlegger Saighir
ca 483: Kieran møter
Lughaidh, konge av Irland, i Saighir
ca 484: Carthagus tvunget
til å dra fra klosteret for sin umoralske oppførsel
489: Óengus mac Nad
Froích blir drept
ca 491: Carthagus vender
tilbake, og Kieran trekker seg tilbake og drar til Cornwall
ca 530: Kieran dør
Men til tross for et
nylig forsøk på datere den originale biografien til så tidlig som på midten av
700-tallet, kan den ikke ha vært skrevet tidligere enn på 1200-tallet, mot
bakgrunn av en kirke som fordi den var skilt fra sitt bispedømme (Ossory), hadde
blitt et tvistepunkt. Man kan hevde at det fantes to versjoner av biografien,
en skrevet i bispedømmet Ossorys interesse, mens den andre reflekterte av et
tilsynelatende forsøk fra Kildare på å få kontroll over helgenens kirke.
Av de irske biografiene
er den ene en oversettelse av den lengste latinske teksten, mens den andre slik
den nå står, er et etter-reformatorisk produkt. Likevel er det den sistnevnte
som inneholder det eldste materialet, spesielt i sin pro-Munster behandling av
Osraiges politikk. I disse biografiene portretteres Kieran som en vill mann,
kledd i skinn, og hans første munker er skogens dyr. Bortsett fra det følger
hans karriere før Patrick samme spor som Ailbes. Men ulik denne er Kieran
alltid underordnet Patrick, som han første gang møter i Italia. Hans biografier
nevner knapt Ailbe, Declan og Ibar, for de er mer interessert i å utvide
rettighetene til Saighir.
En annen gammel
tradisjon, som finnes i et litani av pilegrimshelgener fra sent 700-tall,
forteller at Kieran dro på en reise til den andre verdenen. Uansett helgenens
forkledning skjuler hans hagiografer aldri Saighirs velstand og betydning som
gravsted for kongene av Ossory,
Kieran ble helligkåret
ved at hans kult ble stadfestet den 19. juni 1902 (gruppen «Albert, Asicus og Carthagus,
biskoper, og deres 22 irske ledsagere») av pave Leo XIII (1878-1903). Hans
minnedag er 5. mars, blant annet i det første irske martyrologiet, den hellige Oengus Culdeus’
martyrologium Félire eller Festilogium (Félire Óengusso), og den feires over
hele Irland. Hans navn står også den 5. mars i den nyeste utgaven av
Martyrologium Romanum (2004):
Sagíriæ in Ossória
Hibérniæ regióne, sancti Kieráni, epíscopi et abbátis.
I Saighir i regionen
Ossory i Irland, den hellige Kieran, biskop og abbed.
I slaget ved Dún Bolg i
870 skal Osraighe ha påkalt Kieran i håp om seier over Laighin (mennene fra
Leinster) som satte sin lit til den hellige Brigida av Irland
(ca 452-525).
Fra middelalderen har
denne Kieran feilaktig vært identifisert som den hellige Piran fra Cornwall,
men dette avvises nå av vitenskapsmenn. Det var 25 helgener ved navn Kieran i
Irland, og for ikke å bli forvekslet med sin yngre navnebror, den hellige Kieran av
Clonmacnoise, som også er en av de Tolv apostlene av Irland, kalles Kieran
av Saighir ofte Kieran den eldre. Han kalles også Kieran av Ossory.
Kieran er et irsk navn
som kommer fra det irske ordet Ciar som betyr mørk eller svart. Navnet betyr
«den lille mørke», «mørk prins» eller «den mørkhårete». Ciar kan knyttes
tilbake til Ciar, sønn av Fergus, konge av Ulster. Ordet kan også knyttes til
andre navn, som Kerry, som betyr «Ciars folk». Listen over homonyme helgener
regner opp tyve (angivelig forskjellige) helgener ved navn Kieran, og tretten
av dem opptrer også i martyrologiene. De fremste helgenene av dette navn er de hellige
Kieran av Saighir (d. ca 530) (Kieran den eldre) og Kieran av Clonmacnoise (ca
515-ca 549) (Kieran den yngre).
En rekke andre ved navn
Kieran nevnes i martyrologiene, men bortsett fra navn og festdag gis det få
supplerende opplysninger. En Kieranus står under 5. januar i martyrologiet fra
Tamlacht som Ciaran Mac Aedha ocus Colman Mac Eachtach uten nærmere angivelse.
En annen Kieranus står under 9. januar i martyrologiet fra Tamlacht som Ciaran
Ruis-Cumnica. En tredje Kieranus nevnes den 24. februar med de to ordene
«Kieranus Vamen» i det irske martyrologiet til Marianus Gorman. I martyrologiet
fra Tamlacht heter det Kieranus Vamessae Ardforii.
En annen Kieranus står
den 25. februar i martyrologiet fra Tamlacht to ganger, som Ciaran Abb. og som
Ciaran Si, men uten noen nærmere angivelser. Kieranus med tilnavnet Foighde
står i irske helgenfortegnelser, men ingenting er kjent om ham. I Kellys utgave
av martyrologiet fra Tamlacht står det den 8. mars bare navnet Ciaran. En
Kieranus som også kalles Mochuomocus, forekommer i et manuskript av
martyrologiet fra Tamlacht, og ikke engang bollandistene vet mer om ham. I
kalenderen hos Kelly står den 7. mai: Breccan Echdroma ocus Ciaran, idem et
Mociarocc, og i den alfabetiske katalogen Ciarani, Mociarocc, men noe nærmere
angis ikke.
En Kieranus står den 19.
juli i martyrologiet fra Tamlacht som Ciaran Tigh na Gortigh, men uten noen
nærmere forklaring. En Kieranus står den 9. august i martyrologiet fra Tamlacht
ganske enkelt som Ciarani, uten videre bemerkninger. En Kieranus står den 23.
september og 8. oktober i martyrologiet fra Tamlacht, også ganske enkelt som
Ciaran.
Kilder:
Attwater/John, Attwater/Cumming, Farmer, Butler (III), Benedictines, Bunson,
Index99, Baring-Gould (3), Ó Riain, MR2004, CE, CSO, CatholicSaints.Info,
Infocatho, santiebeati.it, en.wikipedia.org, celt-saints, ODNB, Butler 1866,
zeno.org, heiligen-3s.nl, catholicireland.net,
omniumsanctorumhiberniae.blogspot.com, pgil-eirdata.org, maryjones.us -
Kompilasjon og oversettelse: p. Per Einar Odden
Opprettet: 14. mai 2000
SOURCE : https://www.katolsk.no/biografier/historisk/kieran
Ciaran van Saighir (ook
van Saigher of van Seirkieran), Ierland; kluizenaar & abt; † ca 560 (of nog
in de 5e eeuw).
Feest 5 maart.
Geschiedenis
Kieran was afkomstig van
Clear Island in het uiterste zuiden van Ierland. Volgens de overlevering was
hij een leerling van Sint Patrick; studeerde in Tours en Rome en bleek bij
terugkomst bisschop gewijd. Hij leidde het leven van een kluizenaar in Ossory,
gelegen in het hart van Ierland. Daaruit groeide klooster Saighir of Saigher
(Seirkieran = Kieran's klooster).
"Nadat de heilige
Ciaràn in Rome tot bisschop was gewijd, maakte hij zich op om naar Ierland
terug te keren. Patrick zou hem later volgen. Deze zei nu tot hem: 'Ga naar de
bron die in het hart van Ierland ligt, precies op de grens van noord en zuid.
En vestig daar je klooster.' Maar Ciaràn antwoordde: 'Ik ken daar geen plek met
een bron.' Maar Patrick hield aan: 'Mijn beste broeder, ga erheen en God zal
met je zijn. Hier heb je een klokje dat je onderweg gezelschap zal houden. Maar
het zal geen geluid geven, tot je bij die bron gekomen bent. Op dat moment zal
het helder beginnen te klingelen. Over dertig jaar kom ik je daar gezelschap
houden.' Daarop kusten de beide broeders elkaar ten afscheid. Ciarén toog naar
Ierland, terwijl Patrick in Italië bleef.
God leidde de heilige
Ciaran naar de bron Fuaran. Daar begon het klokje van de man Gods helder en
hard te klingelen. (Van toen af aan noemde men het 'Ciaran's bourdon'; men
hield het in ere in de stad en de wijde omgeving. Het diende ter bescherming
van de volksleiders, van de armen; en bij de verering der heiligen van het
klooster. Het klokje was destijds al gegoten voor Patrick's leermeester,
bisschop Germanus). De bron ligt, zoals gezegd in het grensgebied tussen Noord-
en Zuid-Ierland, en dan iets meer naar het zuiden, in de streek van de clan
Hele.
Daar begon Ciaran het
leven van een kluizenaar te leiden. Want het gebied was eenzaam: het bestond
uit bossen, niets dan bossen. Uit het hout dat er voorhanden was, begon hij een
armelijk hutje te bouwen, dat hem als cel moest dienen. Dat was het begin van
het klooster. Later zou daar onder Gods leiding een hele stad uit groeien; die
heet tegenwoordig Sierkieran.
Bij aankomst op die plek
was Ciaran eerst eens rustig onder een boom gaan zitten. Maar daar lag al een
bijzonder wild everzwijn. Maar die vluchtte verschrikt weg bij het zien van een
mens. Maar God verzachtte zijn hart, en tenslotte keerde hij naar de Godsman
terug, en trad in zijn dienst; hij werd zijn eerste leerling-monnik. Want voor
de ogen van de man Gods begon het everzwijn met zijn hoorns gras en takken los
te woelen voor de bouw van de cel. Er was verder nog niemand anders bij, want
Ciarabn was er destijds helemaal alleen op uit getrokken. Maar stilaan kwamen
er steeds meer dieren uit hun schuilplaats in het woud tevoorschijn om zich bij
hem aan te sluiten: een vos, een das, een wolf en een reekoe. Zij blijven in
zijn buurt en gehoorzaamden de heilige man in alles, precies als monniken.
Maar op een dag nam de
vos de schoenen weg van de heilige abt Ciaran en bracht ze naar zijn vroegere
hol, diep in het bos, met de bedoeling ze daar op te vreten. De vos was het
slimste en listigste beest van alle dieren daar. Toen de heilige vader Ciaran
erachter kwam stuurde hij één van zijn leerlingen of monniken, de das namelijk,
achter de vos in het bos aan met de opdracht zijn broeder naar huis terug te
brengen. De das kende het bos op zijn duimpje; hij gehoorzaamde en ging dus
linea recta naar het hol van zijn broeder, de vos. Hij trof hem juist op het
moment dat deze wilde beginnen de schoenen van zijn meester op te peuzelen. De
das begon hen in zijn oren en staart te bijten, rukte hem plukken haar uit en
dwong hem zo met hem naar hun klooster terug te gaan en boete te doen voor zijn
diefstal. In arren moede gehoorzaamde de vos en zo kwamen vos en das met de
schoenen waar niets aan mankeerden bij de cel van hun heilige meester aan op
het moment van de noon, het middaggebed om drie uur. 'Waarom heb je dat gedaan,
broeder? Zoiets dien monniken toch niet? Moet je ons water zien: het is van
uitstekende kwaliteit en er is voor ieder in overvloed. En dat geldt ook voor
het eten. En als je voor de verandering eens vlees had willen eten, wat bij je
natuur hoort, dan hadden we de goede God erom gebeden en dan had Hij zelfs van
de takken van de bomen hier vlees voor je kunnen bereiden.' Daarop smeekte de
vos om vergiffenis, deed boete en at niets tot zijn meester hem er weer toe
uitnodigde. Van dat moment af deelde hij weer gewoon in het leven van de
anderen in de gemeenschap.
Later kwamen er nog veel
meer volgelingen naar het klooster. Maar de dieren waarover we vertelden bleven
er hun hele verdere leven wonen, want de heilige had er plezier in ze bij zich
te zien."
Gaat het hier letterlijk
over dieren? Oude legendes rond de Keltische kluizenaars leggen er vaak de
nadruk op dat zij vriendschap sloten met de dieren in navolging van hun eerdere
collega's in de Egyptische en Syrische woestijn. Het kan ook zijn dat het hier
gaat over monniken, die de voornaam van een dier hadden (zoals bij ons nog
voorkomen namen als Everhard, Ber(e)nhard, Wolfhard enz.); wellicht waren die
dierennamen bijnamen?
Kieran stichtte ook een
gemeenschap voor vrouwen, die hij plaatste onder de leiding van zijn moeder,
Liadan. Hij zou gestorven zijn te Saigher. Hij is patroon van het bisdom Ossory
in Ierland.
Volgens sommigen is hij
dezelfde als Piran (of Péran) van Wales en Sezin van Bretagne.
[000» Ké 008; 011; 117» Kieran; 118p:4» Kieran; 122» Kieran; 316p:218;
339p:103]
© A. van den Akker
s.j. / A.W. Gerritsen
SOURCE : https://heiligen-3s.nl/heiligen/03/05/03-05-0560-ciaran.php
Mar 5 – St Kieran of
Saighir (6th cent.) : https://www.catholicireland.net/saintoftheday/st-kieran-of-saighir-6th-cent/
La légende de Saint
Kieran et du coucou : https://www.mondelegendaire.com/articles/offaly_clareen_1955_la-legende-de-saint-kieran-et-du-coucou/
