The Latin & Irish Lives of Ciaran: Translations Of Christian Literature. Series V. Lives Of; The Celtic Saints
Religion
The Latin & Irish Lives of Ciaran: Translations Of Christian Literature. Series V. Lives Of; The Celtic Saints
Ciaran, Saint, abbot of Clonmacnois
14. Near to the monastery in which the man of God was then staying,
there was an island, which certain worldly men inhabited, whose uproar
used greatly to disturb the men of God. Whence it happened that
blessed Keranus, compelled by their disquietude, made his way to the
lake, and giving himself up wholly to prayer, succeeded in obtaining
the removal of those who were distressing the servants of God. For
when he ceased from prayer, behold, suddenly the island with the lake
and the inhabitants withdrew to a remote place, so that by no means
could its inhabitants disturb the friends of the Most High. For this
miracle was done in His Name Who overturned Sodom on account of the
sin of its inhabitants, and consumed it with fire. The traces of that
lake, where it formerly was, still exist.
XXXVIII. CIARAN IN INIS AINGIN
15. As the man of God was distributing the goods of the monastery for
the use of the poor, his brethren complaining of this and coming to
him inconsiderately, said, "Depart," said they, "from us, for we
cannot live together." To whom agreeing, and bidding farewell in the
Lord, he transferred himself to an island by name Angina. A monastery
having been founded in this island, many hastening from all sides,
attracted by the fame of his holiness, submitted to the service of
God. Ordering them under strict rules, by face and by habit, by speech
and by life, he showed himself as an example to them. For he was as
an eagle inciting its young to fly, in respect to sublimity of
contemplation; but he lived as the least of them in brotherly
humility. For he was in spiritual meditations attached to the highest
things; yet so much did he stoop to feeble weakness that he seemed as
though he tended towards the lowliest things. He was also perfect
in faith, fervent in charity, rejoicing in hope, gentle of heart,
courteous of speech, patient and long-suffering, kindly in
hospitality, ever diligent in works of piety, benign, gentle,
peaceful, sober, and quiet. To summarise many things in one short
sentence, he was garnished with the ornament of all the virtues.
Expending a care zealous for these and the like matters--the care of
Mary for contemplation, and of Martha for the dispensing of things
temporal--he fulfilled his duty in ordered succession. Nor could the
light of such and so great a lantern be hidden under a bushel: but
it glittered with light, all around, wheresoever it abundantly
illuminated the world with the outpoured glory of its grace.
XXXIX. THE COMING OF OENNA
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account