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
A man with choice voluntary full offerings to the Lord, like Abel
son of Adam. A man with zealous entreaties to God, like Enoch son of
Jared. A steersman full-sufficient for the ark of the Church among
the waves of the world, like Noah son of Lamech. A true pilgrim with
strength of faith and belief, like Abraham son of Terah. A man loving,
gentle, forgiving of heart, like Moses son of Amram. A man patient and
steadfast in enduring suffering and trouble, like suffering Job. A
psalmist full-tuneful, full-delightful to God, like David son of
Jesse. A dwelling of true wisdom and knowledge like Solomon son of
David. A rock immovable whereon is founded the Church, like Peter the
apostle. A chief universal teacher and a chosen vessel for proclaiming
truth, like Paul the apostle. A man full of the grace of the Holy
Spirit and of chastity, like John the breast-fosterling.
A man full of likeness in many ways to Jesus Christ the Head of all
things. For this man made wine of water for his folk and his guests in
this city, as Jesus made choice wine of water at the feast of Cana of
Galilee. This man is called "son of the wright," as Christ is called
"Son of the wright" in the Gospel (_hic est Filius fabri_, that is,
of Joseph). Thirty-three years in the age of this man, as there are
thirty-three years in the age of Christ. This man arose after three
days in his bed in Cluain to converse with and to comfort Coemgen, as
Christ arose after three days from the grave in Jerusalem, to comfort
and strengthen His mother and His disciples.
So for these good things, and for many others, is his soul among
the folk of heaven. His remains and relics are here with honour and
renown, with daily wonders and miracles. And though great is his
honour just now in this manner, greater shall be his honour in the
holy incorruptible union of his body and his soul in the great
assembly of Judgment, when Saint Ciaran shall be judge of the fruit
of his labour along with Christ Whom he served. So shall he be in the
great assembly, in the unity of holy fathers and prophets, in the
unity of apostles and disciples of the Saviour Jesus Christ, in the
unity of the nine grades of angels that have transgressed not, in
the unity of the Godhead and Manhood of the Son of God, in the unity
nobler than every other unity, the Unity of the Holy Trinity, Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit.
I beseech the mercy of the Lofty Omnipotent God, by the intercession
of Saint Ciaran, that we may reach that unity. May we dwell there, _in
saecula saeculorum!_
[Footnote 1: Following the reading _cordus_ in the _Leabhar Breac_
text of the Homily from which this section is an extract, instead of
the unintelligible _comhlud_ of the MSS. of the _Life_.]
[Footnote 2: This Latin extract in the Brussels MS. only.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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