¹ Here begins the life of Saint Monenna, Virgin.

² Among the peoples of Ireland there was a virgin, venerable in life and adorned with the holy diligence of her character, named Monenna, famous through the grace of her merits in all parts of Ireland, Scotland, and the regions of England. Her light, illuminating the whole northern land, like a great lamp set upon a candlestick, dispelled all the dark shadows of ignorance there. For to those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, a light has arisen for them [Isaiah 9:2; Matthew 4:16]. She dwelt for a long time beneath the northern sky beside the mountain of Colum, which lies on the boundary of the province called that of the Oirialla, which claims the lands to the west and north, and the province of the Conaille, which looks toward the south and the southern region. At its foot, on the northern side, a glorious place was suitably built, as the prophetic oracle proclaims, saying: “Mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King” [Psalm 48:2].

³ Therefore, when a temple of holy hearts had been built for the great King—of which the apostle says, “You are the temple of the living God, and the Spirit of God dwells in you” [1 Corinthians 3:16]—not from wood and stones but from holy people bound together with the most fervent glue of charity, so that they might be of one heart and one soul [Acts 4:32], the virgin of Christ, Monenna, like a strong hermit, carried out a holy warfare, as we shall afterwards say, with God’s help, when in due order we come to that point. But now concerning her life and virtues, even from her infancy and the other stages of her age, whatever has been handed down to us by the most truthful witnesses among us, we shall endeavour to set forth in words, God willing and aided by her merits, as far as we are able.

Concerning Her Life and Virtues #

¹ From the same people of the Conaille, therefore, Saint Monenna had a father named Maugtheus, who ruled Oueahhulud and all the land around Armagh, from Louth as far as Ulster, of the noble lineage of Hilech, an excellent man. This may be proved in that he found great favour in the sight of the Lord, in that he was worthy to have such a daughter, whom the Lord had chosen for Himself from her birth. Her mother, however, was named Coman, a most noble daughter of the king Dalbranaith, who ruled all the land from Dublin as far as Regumlech. She too lived a most virtuous life for fifteen years to the end. Now into that province in which Monenna dwelt with her parents there came as a guest the holy Patrick, sent by Pope Celestine to preach the word of God to all the Irish, who were set in the captivity of the devil. After some had been delivered by him to baptism, and confirmed by the laying on of hands, Monenna herself, a most beautiful maiden, came with other faithful people to meet the bishop and apostle of all Ireland at that time, from whom she received a blessing. The man full of God perceived the holy desire of the devout and God-fearing virgin burning within her, and he bestowed upon her spiritual instruction, so far as she was able to receive it and the time permitted.

Concerning the Virgin’s Veil Given by Patrick #

¹ After this she also deserved to receive the holy veil of virginity, blessed by Saint Patrick, beside the little pool called Briugis, which in Latin means “of generosity.” In the pool of water beside which Saint Monenna received the virgin’s veil there appeared, with the bishop’s blessing, an abundance of graces and virtues proceeding from her, from which all might daily draw the grace of healing and the streams of the water of life. The holy bishop therefore carefully taught the holy maiden, who had been truly betrothed to Christ as her bridegroom, to know the commandments of God and to understand them from the heart; for there is a great difference between virginity and marriage in relation to Christ. For virginity is the foremost mark of virtue, nearer to God, like the angels, the parent of life, the companion of health, the mistress of joy, the guide of virtue, the foundation and crown of faith, the support of hope, and the aid of charity. Having been diligently instructed by these commands, Patrick also added this: that she should join other virgins to herself, whom she might nurture with her from youth in the fear of the Lord, so that, supported by their companionship, she might more easily fulfil and complete the good work she had begun.

² And he entrusted into her care a most beautiful virgin named Athea. Therefore she was commended by the bishop to another devout priest, that he might first teach her the Psalms and continually nurture her in sacred learning. With the blessing of Bishop Patrick she returned to her parents’ house, and remaining there for some time apart with them, she was taught by the priest; for that house which leads people into destruction [1 Timothy 6:9]. Indeed he himself read the Psalms well. In her there prevailed a strong memory and a keen intelligence, so that she read quickly and firmly retained in her mind what she had read. Her learning increased from day to day. A certain writer relates that she was born to good and devout parents, well brought up, a most beautiful virgin, pure in body and soul; she grew to maturity in her parents’ house and from her infancy had vowed to the Lord that she would preserve whole and unbroken the crown of virginity for as long as she lived. In a place called Fochard there were first gathered eight virgins, among whom were Brigid, Athea, and Orbile, and also a widow with a little child, who afterwards, it is known, became a distinguished bishop of his people, that is, the lord of the Conaille, named Luger. He was undoubtedly the first to found the church of Ruscane in the plain of Colgi. By the privilege of his dignity he deserved to receive holiness through the blessing of Saint Monenna, for she had from his infancy adopted him as a son in her place. And there, on the feast of the birth of Saint Brigid, Monenna built that church.

Concerning the Cows That Were Stolen and Afterwards Restored by the Water #

¹ Now it happened on one night that thieves stole two cows which they possessed. When they came to the river called Fertas, this miracle occurred: the river became so hot that their feet were burned, and although they walked about all night they were by no means able to cross it. In the early morning they were found beside the church, and doing penance with tears they received the faith, saying that they would never again steal.

Concerning Her Journey to Bishop Ibar #

¹ After this, when she had spent some time with her parents, and since monasteries of women had not yet arisen among those peoples—because the seeds of the faith had only recently been sown—there came into the mind of the holy virgin a devout thought: that she should withdraw from the people of the world, even from her parents and relatives, since she had renounced the world for Christ, lest the purpose of her heart which she had directed to the Lord should be turned aside from what she had begun, either by the foolish and empty talk of worldly matters or by the ever-stealing wicked persuasion of the ancient adversary. In the name of God, therefore, she set out with her maidens and the widow mentioned above—leaving behind the little child—and with other companions travelling for Christ, and, as they relate, went to the holy bishop Ibar, who at that time dwelt on islands beyond Ireland in the western ocean, three in number and known together by one name, namely Triairna. There she spent a long time in the service of God, under the authority of that bishop, in the strict rule of holy discipline and a hard yet upright life of abstinence, with constant vigils and frequent reading. Many virgins of Christ gathered there to her, and a new and apostolic choir of Christ’s virgins was formed. She followed the example of Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and chose the better part [Luke 10:39–42].

While Living on Mount Fochard, She Departed After Hearing Acts of Worldliness #

¹ Thus Saint Monenna, coming to the hill of Fochard, first began to dwell there. Many virgins of Christ having been gathered together, she had with her at that time, as it is said, one hundred and fifty. Meanwhile some time had passed. On a certain night she heard from the neighbouring villages lying beneath that hill certain secular songs, which could be recognised as belonging to those who were reveling and proclaiming empty joy. Saint Monenna asked the sisters what this was, that people should cry out in such vain chatter. It was reported to her that in the house of one of the neighbours there were wedding songs, where a bride had been betrothed to a carnal bridegroom in human marriage. Saint Monenna said to her sisters: “We who are joined to a spiritual bridegroom and betrothed to Christ the Son of God ought to hear spiritual songs day and night. We must withdraw to places more remote from everyone, where we may devote ourselves only to prayer and reading, and where it may be possible for us to be visited by the angels of God as by familiar friends and companions.” When morning came, she sent her brother, named Ronan, into the nearby wilderness to search for suitable places; and there he found, beside the mountain of Colum, a most fitting place, revealed by the Lord.

Concerning Servile, and How Her Body Was Changed #

¹ Then Saint Monenna said to her sisters: “It is necessary that one maiden should guard this place.” And they answered her: “Who can remain here except Orbile? She is the most prudent daughter of a king and most noble.” And Saint Monenna said to that virgin: “By the grace of God you ought to guard this place.” But Orbile answered: “I cannot be without you because of the nobility of my body, and the hair of my head, and my beauty; for I greatly fear the presence of young men. For this reason it is not permitted for me to guard this place.” Then Saint Monenna rose and prayed, and after her prayer she breathed upon the hair of her head, and immediately it became white like snow, as though in old age. Orbile answered her, giving thanks to God: “Lady, I fear that the beauty of my body will still deceive me.” Hearing this, Saint Monenna girded the body of the fearful maiden with her own belt and blessed her. When these things were done, the maiden was transformed into the appearance of an old woman, and thereafter, her name being changed, she was called Servile. Seeing what had been done to her body, Servile willingly gave thanks to the abbess and answered: “With a devoted heart I wish to guard this place.” Then Saint Monenna entrusted the place to her to guard, and departed with her virgins to the same place called Chellecleue, that is, “the Cell of the Mountain.” When they had arrived there and begun to dwell there, a wild man found them, a swineherd of a certain king of the Oirialla, named Macloithe, who was tending pigs through the woods.

Concerning the Rustic Protest of the Swineherd and the Seven-Day Fast #

¹ At first he began to marvel that such persons should be dwelling in the wilderness, and that so great a multitude of the handmaids of God had nothing with them from which to live except herbs. Yet perhaps there were there trees used for pasture by men, and the bark of trees, from which they might live. At first, as a rustic man, he began to adjure them by God that they should take nothing from the wood until he had announced their arrival to his lord. For the poor fellow supposed that he might incur the anger of his master if he kept silent, or that the woods by which the pigs were fed might fail if he allowed so great a number to feed upon the roots or bark of the trees. After this the fellow went to his lord, who lived far away, and reported the arrival of the handmaids of God within his lands. The king answered that he ought rather to rejoice at their coming, and to grant them permission to take from everything whatever they wished or needed. Meanwhile, as they relate, seven days had passed during which the sisters of Christ were bound by the rustic’s protest not to taste anything from the woods, as I have said, until that dull fellow should return; and when they were fainting from hunger, even breathing out their last breath, permission was granted to them, according to the king’s command, to eat from the trees.

² After he had returned, the swineherd began to search for the pigs that had been lost, but although he sought for a long time he could not find them. The poor man came to Saint Monenna lamenting and said: “Because of you I have lost the pigs, and although I have searched diligently I have not found them. At an evil hour you came into this land, on account of whom I have lost my property.” Saint Monenna, comforting the sorrowful man with gentle speech, sent word to him and said: “Blessed in mind, be at peace: the pigs have been preserved by the Lord, and when you leave us now you will find the pigs at once, whole in number, unharmed and safe. Believe that God is able everywhere to keep whatever he wishes sound and whole.” When he departed from them with this word, at that very hour he found all the pigs, just as Saint Monenna had certainly foretold would happen.

Concerning a Piglet that was Killed, Cooked, and Restored Again to Life #

¹ And taking one of the piglets, after no delay he brought it to the sisters, saying: “I have brought you my small offering, because you have deserved rightly in Christ. For the money entrusted to me, for a whole week and entirely intact, with no other guardian, you preserved by your prayers in the wilderness, not only untouched by men but even by beasts. At a good hour I saw you, for now I know that you are truly handmaids of Christ.” And the sisters said to him, by the word of Saint Monenna: “We do not refuse your offering, but it is not our custom to eat such meats. We have come into the wilderness for the sake of Christ. From the wild creatures of the desert, by which it is customary for the servants of God to live, if the Lord has readily given something to you, we will accept it.” When the peasant saw that his offering—which he had long loved while it was alive, and had killed and cooked—was not accepted by the sisters, sighing in his heart he was greatly distressed. For he had no lack of food himself, nor did he know to whom he might sell it, or what he might do with it at all.

² Hearing that the peasant’s distress was not thus relieved, the virgin Monenna, filled with the Holy Spirit, ordered the cooked piglet to be brought to her feet. She arranged its pieces, set the severed limbs together by the grace of God, and by her blessing restored the piglet alive before the watching peasant. At that same hour he departed from them, and shortly afterwards he brought a captured stag to the sisters, saying: “Look, without labour or any harm it has happened that I found more quickly what better pleased your purpose in God.” Then, taking the stag with thanksgiving as though sent by the Lord, they accepted it, always believing in His name, to whom belongs the whole earth with its fullness [Psalm 24:1]. And in this they always had their whole desire: that even beyond their strength they might endure hard labour for Christ’s sake. Yet they did not think that other kinds of meat were unlawful to eat there, because they had wisely heard that “to the pure all things are pure” [Titus 1:15], and that “nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving” [1 Timothy 4:4]. But some holy people, and especially monastic men among those nations where great abundance of cattle prevails, are accustomed not to eat the flesh of domesticated animals at all, lest they seem to be like worldly people, whose whole concern in this matter always hangs upon ensuring that nothing is lacking on the table. Yet they eat deer, boar, or goats, because these are more rarely taken; and so that they may not appear to condemn what is lawful, when the Lord sends such meat they receive it with thanksgiving. But they also rightly refuse to condemn persons similar to themselves if they live on all kinds of meat that Christians commonly use, rightly understanding what is written: “He who eats gives thanks to God, and he who does not eat must not despise the one who eats” [Romans 14:3, 6], and the rest, knowing that in all things place and time and person must be observed.

On the Conversion of Glunelath and Ann to the Faith #

¹ At that time there was a certain tyrant named Glunelath in that desolate and deserted land, sparing no one together with his wicked companions, whose number was fifty, near the church of Monenna. One day it happened that eight priests, sent by the holy bishop Saint Patrick, came to visit the sisters who were settled in the wilderness, and especially Monenna the abbess. When Glunelath found them near the road where he himself lived, he killed them. When Monenna heard of the evil that had been done, she rose and said to her virgins: “Let us go and seek peace in this land.” The virgins answered, saying: “We ought not to go to robbers, because they wish to destroy us.” And Saint Monenna said: “The Lord will defend us. Let us go and ask for the bodies of the saints so that they may be buried.” And going out accompanied by fifty virgins, she came to the place where Glunelath was, in the field which is called Macdathevene. When the tyrant saw them approaching, he rejoiced greatly, and being filled with a demon he said to his companions: “Look, fifty virgins are coming to us, so that each one of us may have a wife.” Then the tyrant went to meet the abbess so that he might seize her and have her as a wife, and he said: “See what I have desired for many days.” And Saint Monenna answered: “Because of your nobility, grant us peace for a little while, so that I may speak with you briefly, and tell your companions not to harm my sisters.” And the tyrant said to his soldiers: “Wait a little, so that I may speak with Monenna.” And they did so. And the abbess said to Glunelath: “My lord, incline your head into my lap.” And when he had inclined his head into her lap, he immediately fell asleep, and all his companions likewise. Then Saint Monenna prayed to God and said: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, let your will be done in heaven and on earth [Matthew 6:10], and help us.” After this the angel of the Lord descended from heaven and said: “Do not fear, daughter, for I am with you, and now I will take the spirit of this tyrant, and you come with me.” And he took them spiritually, and hell and the kingdom of heaven were shown to them, and they saw a most beautiful place of a certain bishop who was called Chevin; and Glunelath asked whose place this would be. And it was said to him: “It is prepared in honour of Chevin.” And after this many other things were shown to them, and they returned to their bodies. Then Saint Monenna rose and said to them: “Rise, rise, rise, for you have not kept watch for three days and nights.” And so it happened that from the first hour of Thursday until the ninth hour of Saturday they had not risen. Then Saint Monenna began a hymn with her virgins: “In Ireland there has been shown to men the greatest of wonders,” and so forth. And when Glunelath had risen from sleep, he said to Saint Monenna: “Will you give me the place of Chevin, and I will not harm you nor the virgins who are with you?” And the abbess answered: “How can I give you the place of another soldier of Christ, when I myself do not know whether I shall have a place of my own in heaven?” And the tyrant said: “Truly, if you do not give me that place, you shall immediately be my wife without delay.” And the abbess answered: “If you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and are baptised, and take counsel with me, you will not have a worse place.”

² And he said: “I will do whatever you command, if you give me that place, but I will not accept another place.” And Saint Monenna said to him: “You shall have it; but rise and come with me, and be faithful to death [Revelation 2:10], and you will have that place.” Then Glunelach rose with Afin, the son of his sister, and they separated themselves from their other companions, and came with Saint Monenna and the sisters to the church which is called Chillesleve; and there they were baptised, and that most learned abbess taught them the Psalter, and afterwards they became most holy bishops. De Chevin a diabolo vexato et per sanctam virginem reddito Deo.

³ After this, however, the devil came in the likeness of a cleric to Chevin and said to him: “Look, Glunelaht, the worst of robbers, has gone before you into the kingdom of heaven and has taken your place from you.” And Chevin answered and said: “Truly that cannot happen in any way, as it appears.” And the enemy said: “If you do not believe, send two clerics with me to the monastery of Monenna, so that they may prove what I have foretold.” Chevin answered: “Let it be so.” And they went out together to the monastery and found Glunelath and Afin with the sisters reading the psalms. And when they had seen this, they returned and reported to their lord that it was true. Then the devil said to Chevin: “What then are the rewards of your great labour and your daily prayers? And what of the seven years during which you have until now fed on the roots of nettles? Look, Monenna has taken your place from you and given it to the most wicked robber Glunelath.” Then Chevin was greatly angered and said to his clerics: “Prepare arms for me, and let us go to the place of Glunelaht and destroy the monastery of Monenna.” And they went out to do evil, as the angel of God had foretold to Saint Monenna, and he said to her: “Go quickly to meet Chevin, for the devil is tempting him.” And the abbess said to the sisters: “Pray for us and for these brothers.” And the most holy woman went out to meet him and found him in the place which is called Surde, and many others with him. And Saint Monenna saw, as it were, a small black boy standing beside the left foot of Chevin. And Saint Monenna said to Chevin: “Do you not see the devil at your left foot, at whose prompting you have come here from your holy place? Make the sign over your heart, brother, and carefully over your eyes.” And he did so. Then Chevin answered her: “Truly, my sister, now I see.” And Saint Monenna drove the devil away from him, and she signed him with her hand led him with her to the monastery, and prepared for him a good bath in the hardest rock upon the summit of a small mountain.

On the Bath of the Same Chevin #

¹ And Saint Monenna came to her cold spring, where on accustomed nights she used to sit in the water up to her breasts and recite the whole Psalter. Placing a blessing upon it with her staff, she commanded the water, in the name of God the Father Almighty, to follow her. And she departed from there to the summit of a nearby mountain, where she had prepared the bath, drawing her staff behind her. And the water followed her all the way to the top, and by the power of the holy virgin the water, drawn up from the depths and received into the bath, by the grace of God became always warm. From that time until this very day many who suffer from illness, in the name of the holy virgin, receive healing through the bath. And the holy virgin said to Chevin: “Look, I offer this bath to you in your honour, and the water in it shall never fail.” And it was called the Bath of Chevin, because Saint Monenna gave it to the tyrant in order to recover him from the devil.

On the Calf that was Devoured and the Wolf Loved by the Cow #

¹ It happened one day that a wolf came near the church where Saint Monenna was dwelling and killed a calf which the aforementioned boy, named Luger, was tending. The boy came before the feet of the abbess, weeping and wailing and saying: “Why have I lost my calf, O lady?” But that most holy woman answered: “I do not know, my son, where your calf is.” And the boy replied: “A dog has devoured my calf, and it is still lying over it.” And Saint Monenna said to him: “Take my staff in your hand, and tell it to come to me.” The boy went out and found the wolf still gnawing the bones, and he struck it on the back and said to it: “Monenna commands you to come to her at once.” And the wolf rose and went before the boy like a domestic dog. And when it stood before the abbess she said to it: “Why, O wretched creature, have you killed our calf? Look, I command you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and of the Virgin Saint Mary that you shall take the place of the calf each day, and the cow shall give milk as though she had a calf.” And so it happened that the cow loved the wolf and licked it as if it were her own calf, and the wolf guarded that cow like a shepherd. And even to this present day there are wolves of that kind near the church, keeping watch over the cattle of the church for three thousand, and all recognise and love their kind, because they are smaller than other wolves and have white markings on their foreheads, and they live always only by hunting.

For What Reason Saint Monenna First Entered the Land of the English #

¹ At that time Alfred, the son of the king of the English, suffering from a very great illness, went to serve Conald the king in Ireland. And the Irish said to him: “Go to the abbess Monenna and ask that she pray to the Lord her God for your illness. By her intercession your health will at once be restored to you.” He believed, and the sickness being driven away through the intervention of the virgin, he was made well. Having recovered his health, he returned to the king, seeking permission to return to his homeland. When the king heard and knew that the son of the king of the English wished to return to his country, he began, after granting permission, to consider from where he might obtain the money that he ought to give him, because he did not wish him to depart from him without gifts. Then he ordered his servants to summon his counsellors to him, from whom he asked advice about which region he should plunder, from which such a sum of money might be taken and given to the departing prince in return for his service, so that after receiving the money he might return honourably to his own country. One of them replied, whose name was Chanoncun, saying: “O honourable king, incline your ears to my counsel, for in the church of Monenna there are many riches, which if you should seize by force you would restore your soldiers well.” Hearing this, the prince, knowing that the grace of God was with her, and fearing to go there, said: “It is known to many of us that God gives heavy vengeance to all wrongdoers for love of her.” But the counsellor, despising his words, replied: “If it seems lawful to us, send your army with me, and I will destroy the monastery and bring you all the money of the virgin Monenna.” And the king said: “If you dare, go.” And he consented to him, and he carried out his intended journey, and went out with a great army. And this miracle happened at midnight: that enemies coming suddenly devastated all the land of that Chanoncun and seized all his goods, while he himself did not know it, whose land lay near the monastery of Saint Monenna, and he was her kinsman.

² And by the just judgement of God it happened that the evil which he wished to bring upon the holy nuns fell upon himself, as it is written: “His trouble shall return upon his own head, and his violence shall come down upon his own crown” [Psalm 7:16]. Yet they violently seized all the goods of that monastery, fearing neither God nor His saints. And whatever was taken from there was given to the son of the king of the English, and he returned to his homeland with many gifts. But when the holy virgin Monenna heard that a place consecrated to God was being laid waste by a tyrant, her kinsman, she was greatly angered with him and said: “May God grant that his land shall always remain in desolation, and the church, with God’s help, shall be renewed again.” And so it came to pass.

How She Crossed the Sea with Her Virgins into Britain #

¹ Then Saint Monenna, moved by what had happened, went out to the shore which is near Fochart with Brigida, Athea, and Luge. And they cried out strongly to the Lord and asked Him to grant them help to cross the sea. When they had prayed, look, the angel of the Lord descended from heaven before them and enclosed a small portion of the earth around those holy virgins, and the sea surrounded that marked piece of land lifted it from its place, and it served them as a ship as far as Britain. And there it was set down near a fortress called Daganno; and just as it came from Ireland beneath the feet of the holy virgins, so it remains to this present day: it neither increases nor diminishes, but the sea water always surrounds it. Saint Monenna then said to Brigida and to Luge: “Remain here and build a church in this holy place until we return to you. And we shall go to the king’s court, so that we may seek back our possessions which have been violently taken from us.” After this they found the king in a town which is called Streneshalen, near the forest which is called Arderne.

² When the king saw the virgins coming to him, he was greatly pleased at their arrival. And when he heard that the people and cattle belonged to her church, he restored everything. And the king said to her: “I will give you this town together with my sister, who is a virgin, so that you may teach her the divine discipline.” And Saint Monenna replied: “Let it be so gladly.” And she remained there for three months, and the holy virgin ordered Athea to teach the virgin, the king’s sister, the Psalter. But Saint Monenna returned to Brigida with many gifts, and the servants of the king went with her until ships were prepared. Then the abbess and Brigida went out with their household to Ireland, and she restored her church.

Here Begins the Second Little Book #

[Chapters] #

¹ On water turned into wine.

² Coming from the bishop to Saint Brigid.

³ Of the twelve garments given to Saint Monenna by the Lord.

⁴ Saint Brigid going and dwelling at Airdsconis with bishop Ibor, and of the cistern filled with water.

⁵ On the prophecy of Saint Monenna, and of the a girl entrusted to her by a bishop.

⁶ Of the departure of Saint Monenna from Airdsconis, and of the river rising up.

⁷ Of the silver vessel sent into the river by Brigid to Saint Monenna.

⁸ Of her pilgrimage to Rome.

⁹ Of the girl submerged in water for three days and afterwards restored to life by Saint Monenna.

¹⁰ Of the calf carried off by wolves and afterwards restored.

¹¹ Of the rock turned into salt.

¹² Of the food of a poor woman taken and afterwards restored.

¹³ Of a daughter raised again to life.

¹⁴ Concerning another boy who was raised.

¹⁵ Concerning a calf slain in the house of Donech and restored to life.

¹⁶ Concerning a small vessel of beer blessed in the house of the same Donech.

On Water Turned into Wine #

¹ Now let us return to the order of the narrative, as the second little book now begins.

² Therefore Saint Monenna, her journey at last completed, arrived in Ireland in the plain of Murthemene, in which the people of the Conallei especially flourish, from whom also the most holy Monenna herself, as I have said, was born. In ancient times this people, more than the neighbouring nations around them, had been instructed in books of magical arts; but now, their paganism having been overcome, they have become entirely Christian in the faith of Christ through Saint Monenna. Turning aside therefore to other handmaids of Christ, whom they call the daughters of Campanus, she is said to have performed a great miracle. One of these she had always kept in her company, and now she came to their monastery, which afterwards received its name from another who held authority there, whose name was Luge. When she had been received by them with every joy, they did for her whatever acts of charity they could; and what they did not have—namely drink, with which such guests of Christ might be made glad—God worked through the coming of the guests, producing most delightful wine from water. For when Saint Monenna blessed a small vessel of water brought into the house, God changed the flowing water, by His supreme power transforming it into the nature of wine, so that what was lacking might be supplied for the charity of the handmaids of God, and that the name of the Lord might always everywhere be believed to be great and worthy to be proclaimed by all. It is held as most certain by many servants of God that this miracle happened among those lands which produce no vineyards from which wine might be obtained, so that the servants of God might have, as I suppose, sufficient wine for drinking when carrying out the mysteries of the Body of Christ.

Coming from the Bishop to Saint Brigid #

¹ The holy bishop Ibar, mentioned above from the same islands, with the Lord as the guide of his journey, went to the southern part of Ireland, having heard there of a small island which they call Little Ireland, in which he was afterwards laid to rest after his glorious life. The sheep of Christ follow their shepherd. Saint Monenna, with her virgins, followed the bishop and greeted the teacher of doctrine.

² And coming into the land of the Leinstermen, to whose southern region the same island also belongs, Saint Monenna, having heard of Saint Brigid, turned aside with the girls belonging to her, with the bishop’s permission, in order to visit her. With her she remained for no small time, humbling herself; and the more she humbled herself beyond others, the more the Lord exalted her above all by the merits of her virtues. For she was gracious, gentle, hospitable, adorned with every good manner of life, pleasing to all in Christ; and not being ignorant of the cunning of the enemy, she was strongly fortified with spiritual weapons on the right hand on the left. The Lord also granted her the grace of healing, so that she drove away the sickness of many evils, healed various infirmities, and by word and prayer cast demons out of possessed bodies. All the people believed in her to such an extent that she was daily enriched even with great gifts and offerings. But reserving none of these for herself, having cast her care upon Christ, she distributed everything to poor wretches and strangers who came to her daily for Christ’s sake, becoming poor and a stranger for the sake of all.

Of the Twelve Garments given to Saint Monenna by the Lord #

¹ Then, when these things had been learned, which Saint Monenna was daily giving, the household of Saint Brigid said to her: “Why do you do this? Why do you spend the small gifts which are given to you by the Lord and by the people on others, and, not seeking us, do you even neglect the care of your own, who belong to you?” And some, stirred by a spirit of envy, under the appearance of religion, also said these things: “Have you not heard it to be written in the Apostle, ‘He who neglects the care of his own, and especially of his household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever’ [1 Timothy 5:8]? Lest the sisters who came with you, with those things which they brought with them almost consumed, do not have sufficiency, and you divide those things which are theirs perhaps among those having abundance.” To whom Saint Monenna gently replied: “If they have unfeigned faith in Christ, having food and clothing of the body, they will be content. For those who wish to become rich fall into temptation and a snare of the devil and many useless desires [1 Timothy 6:8–9]. If for the sake of Christ I have done what you blame in me, who said that whatever is done in his members is done to himself, he is able both to restore to you the losses which you think, and to grant to them the reward of labour and nakedness, when he wills.” What more? She immediately arose, trusting in her heart that through Christ all things are able, when he wills, to help those having need, and lifting her eyes suddenly to the little bed, on which she was thought to rest a little, she saw, as it is reported, twelve excellent garments there, never seen before, believing them to have been brought to her by the Lord; immediately she carried them to Saint Brigid, saying: “Look, the Lord has restored what is yours; have them, and let them be for the sisters for the supplying of need.” To whom Saint Brigid said: “The garments which have been sent to you by the Lord, divide among your own as it pleases you; it is not permitted for us, having more, to have them.”

Saint Brigid Going and Dwelling at Airdsconis with Bishop Ibor, and of the Cistern Filled with Water #

¹ Therefore, having returned from Saint Brigid to Bishop Ibor, she dwelt at Airtchonis. With many virgins of Christ gathered there together, they lived under the authority of the bishop, and their number increased daily, and not only a multitude of virgins and widows, but also queens and very many matrons flocked to them each day. By the most wholesome precepts of life, as a teacher of all goodness, both by words and by examples, Saint Monenna exhorted all. Then it happened in another year, among those lands, when an excessive heat of summer was pressing, that the moist supplies of waters failed the peoples, so that not only did the pools or cisterns dry up, but even the springs and streams flowed less. Therefore the sisters with Saint Monenna, to whom there was no permission of going about, felt the harm of the lack of water, not only for domestic needs, but also the satisfactions of water failed for the thirsty and indeed for those desiring to refresh the spirit. Seeing this, Saint Monenna, following the injuries of others and the example of the holy Elijah, prayed for a fountain of the water of life in place of transitory waters, and in that night in which she poured out prayer to the Lord for obtaining waters, the cistern was filled with waters in the night, with an abundance of water in the morning. Moreover, such a miracle of Saint Monenna was spread among many peoples, so that daily they came to her without ceasing, not only people of the female sex, but also especially princes, to whom it was of the greatest honour and dignity if they were found worthy to receive the blessing of the holy virgin.

Of the Prophecy of Saint Monenna and of the Girl Entrusted to Her by the Bishop #

¹ Moreover, the prophetic spirit in her held the chief place among her other virtues, so that she frequently foretold things to come and always proved the things foretold by their outcome, as can also be understood in this which follows. On another day, from the neighbouring places, the daughter of a certain man, entrusted by the bishop, is brought to Saint Monenna, that she might nurture her with the other virgins in the fear of God and in monastic disciplines. When she had been received and left with the sisters, Saint Monenna said to the virgins: “This little girl brought to us at this hour we ought to nurture more diligently even before the others, for on account of her, necessity in time will compel us to depart from this place.” And this so certainly happened, as Saint Monenna foretold by the Spirit. For the same girl, gradually growing and even reaching the age of youth, the ancient adversary of the good, the devil, began to agitate her with a spirit of envy. By whose envy, as it is read, death entered into the world [Wisdom 2:24], she continually sowed the evil of discord, which the soul of the Lord hates before six hateful things. For she said to the bishop: “No one now seeks you among the people; all the gifts and offerings of those who dwell within your boundaries are brought to these strangers; now you are considered of no account—why did you bring these, as it were strangers from the beginning, doing good for the Lord’s sake? For they desire to be magnified and exalted, and the more they think us to be of no goodness.” Whispering these and similar things, with her relatives and neighbours, the devil persuading her, she also stirred up the school of the bishop and those whom she knew to be private persons among the people with these poisonous words. But the bishop, since he was a most gentle man, did not give ear to these words.

Of the Departure of Saint Monenna from Airdsconis and of the River Rising Up #

¹ Hearing these things, Saint Monenna said to the sisters: “Look, what the Lord showed to you concerning the little girl now first appears. If they begin to do these things to us together, I know that after my death you will not be able to dwell here. It is therefore better to give place to the envy of others and to go, than to perish together with others in such bitterness of souls. All things whatever the Lord has given to us here must be left with them; besides our common garments we shall carry nothing of all our possessions; let those things which they love remain with them. He whom we love, and in whom we have cast our care, goes before us, and we shall follow, that He may lead us to a place convenient for us and pleasing to Himself.” Therefore they set out from there, the Lord accompanying them and being the guide of their journey, Saint Monenna with the sisters, not fewer, as it is reported, than fifty; and going along the way they came to a certain river, through which a crossing ought to have been for them, not so great as to hinder even little ones or women from crossing. Having halted for a little while, they saw the height of the river at once swell up against them, and, swelling beyond measure, overflow its banks. Seeing this, Saint Monenna halted, saying: “What is this that the Lord has done to us? Without doubt our fault has caused this to be done to us, that we see the stream, in a manner unusual to it, by God’s will, rise up against us. Let us search our consciences most diligently, if perhaps in any one of us there is the fault of transgression, so that, cleansing it by pious confession, she may be able to be free from punishment.” One of the sisters, answering and accusing herself, said: “I confess my fault, which I foolishly committed, on account of which, as I think, we seem to suffer this hindrance. Going out from our monastery, I saw various onions beginning to be dried in the usual place, and I took one head of garlic, which I thought to be ours, which I brought, knowing that, for pain, your eyes are anointed with it in the manner of a salve. I therefore do penance, whatever you command, only that by my fault, which I alone have committed, I may not do injury to many.” To whom Saint Monenna said: “Carry back therefore to the house from which we came what you have brought. If the greater things, which were ours, we have left there for the Lord’s sake, we ought not to have taken and carried away lesser things without the permission of those with whom they were left.” And thus it was done, that when it had been carried back to the land destined for her by the Lord, situated in the northern part of Ireland, there Saint Monenna [found] her own kindred as it were to the sheep of the house of Israel which had perished.

Of the Silver Vessel Sent into the River by Brigid to Saint Monenna #

¹ Therefore, the journey having been begun, with Christ as companion, they set out rightly on their way towards the north, and, arriving, as they relate, in the plain of Liniphi, in the best and most level northern part of which the monastery of Saint Brigid has now been built, they came to Saint Brigid; and remaining with her for some days, Saint Monenna always desired to hear those things which might profit her and hers in the Lord, so that they might go forth on a pilgrimage to Rome. “My sheep hear my voice, and I give them eternal life” [John 10:27–28]. When afterwards the time had come for going to the desired places, Saint Monenna, like a most prudent bee adorned with honeyed speech, said to Saint Brigid: “Give your blessing upon us, and diligently pray the Lord for us, that He may rightly direct our way in Himself, and by His mercy bring us unharmed to the appointed places.” To whom Saint Brigid answered: “May Almighty God keep you on the way by which you go, that you may prosperously come to the desired dwellings”; and she brought forth a small silver vessel, from which the Irish are accustomed to draw drink for princes, which they call escre, saying: “Receive a small gift from my hand which I give to you, that from it some benefit may come to you and to the sisters of Christ who are with you.” Therefore Saint Monenna received the vessel, not daring, nor wishing, to contradict in anything. The blessing having been received from Saint Brigid, she did not wish to carry anything of the present goods, but, having greeted all the sisters, as if forgetting something, she again entered the house and placed the same vessel there in a safer place, where it might be kept and not be immediately seen. Then, having again greeted all, they set out on the desired journey, and at length arrived. They were written down by the Lord, I believe, by the eternal rewarder, that my sister Saint Monenna herself, through brotherly charity intervening, might receive some kind of reward. Meanwhile, after some days had passed, the same silver vessel was found, and it was reported to Saint Brigid how it had happened. She is said to have answered those reporting: “The vessel which we have given into God’s offering, it is not permitted for us to have for our own use; and lest from this any complaint or doubt should come into the mind of the weaker, the Lord, to whatever place He wills, should bring the vessel. It must be cast into the river which is near to us, and the Lord, as He wills, and the merit of Saint Monenna, may do what pleases Him.” And so, as those who have thus received it from of old most certainly affirm, it was done. The vessel was cast into the river, called Life, which flows into the eastern Irish sea, and, the Lord preserving and carrying it, in whatever manner it was found by Bishop Ronan, the brother of Monenna, as the account has it, at the Head of the Shore, as the Scots call the place Stanniribae, which, bursting forth from the eastern Scottish sea and stretching around, is first extended between Bairce and Coilgi Campiolum, then as far as the borders of the peoples, surnamed the Eastern, much confined by woods and mountains, it is stretched out in length. On whose boundary, as I have said above, near the Mount of Colmi, the monastery of Saint Monenna is situated. The bishop, marvelling at this finding, brought the vessel to Saint Monenna. When it was recognised, all glorified God, acknowledging in such a deed the gift sent to her from the Lord. Between the monastery of Saint Monenna and that of Saint Brigid there is a journey of five or six days, even for those who go by land on a direct road without the sea, as we frequently prove. Such a miracle, however, as it seems to me, ought to be attributed to both. For what the undoubting faith of Saint Brigid believed, that is, that the vessel would not perish, Christ preserving it, this the humility of Saint Monenna and her merit, and in her the true contempt of all things, obtained to be accomplished, that she might have, as if sent to her specially by the Lord, the vessel which she left stored in the chamber for the Lord’s sake. And what she wished to hide from human praise, God afterwards made manifest by a clear miracle.

Of Her Pilgrimage to Rome #

¹ After these things, Saint Monenna and Brigid set out on pilgrimage, and they made for Rome. And when they had come into Britain to Ardert, Athea and Ite went with them together with the abbess. And after they had returned from Rome, Brigid went out to her own country into Ireland. But the other virgins remained together in the same wood in the former place for three years. Then Saint Monenna said to them: “Into this wood I will go near you and I will build another place.” And she did so, and Saint Monenna and Athea lived together for three years. But Ite and Osid remained in the first place.

Of the Girl Submerged in Water for Three Days and Afterwards Restored to Life by Saint Monenna #

¹ Now on a certain day Ite said to her girl Osid: “Take this book to Saint Monenna.” The girl went out with the book. And when she had come to a certain water, as she was crossing the bridge—for it was a single piece of wood—she fell into the middle of the river and was submerged in the depth. But on the third day Ite went to Monenna and found her near the river. For she also had gone out to look for the girl. Then Ite asked where the girl was. But she answered: “Truly, I do not know.” And Ite said: “The day before yesterday I sent her with the book, and I greatly wonder why she has not returned.” And she answered: “I have not seen her. Let us go and seek her.” Now there were shepherds near them, who said: “We saw her the day before yesterday going to the bridge, and beyond that we did not see her.” Then Saint Monenna said: “Truly she has been submerged in the water. Let us go and seek her in the river.” And when they had come to the river, they cried out to God, shedding tears, and said: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, through the intercession of your holy Mother and of Saint Peter and Paul and Andrew and of all the saints, restore to us our girl.” And the prayer having been completed, Saint Monenna said: “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I command you, girl, that you answer us, if you are in this water.” And crying out in a loud voice, with tears mingled, she called Osid three times. Scarcely had the prayer been finished when the girl answered from the deep water and said: “See I am here, see I am here, lady.” And Saint Monenna said to her: “Rise in the name of the Lord, and come out.” And she rose at once and came to her, and the holy virgin made the sign over her and handed her to Ite, and said: “See the girl; remain in peace, for it is not permitted for me to remain with you, for I shall go to Ireland to visit the Church.” The virgins answered, saying: “Truly we also will go with you and will by no means leave you.” And after these things they all went out together across the sea into Ireland remained there almost seven years.

Of the Calf Carried Off by Wolves and Afterwards Restored #

¹ On another day, while the calves of the sisters were grazing in a certain field near the mountain, an attack of wolves rushed out from the woods; and the calves being scattered in flight, most ravenous wolves seized one of them, and, after it had been pursued for a long time and carried off through the woods, when darkness came on it did not appear. The sisters, complaining, told these things which had happened in the hearing of Saint Monenna. To whom she said: “Have faith in Christ and be secure in mind. Under whose power even the beasts live, He is able to keep the calf unharmed among the teeth of wolves, He who once delivered the prophet Daniel from the mouth of lions. For this reason the wolves have seized the calf, that they may restore it more wonderfully unharmed, and the next day, God willing, may bring it back to you safe.” And so, when morning came, with all seeing, the wolves brought back the same calf, which they had seized the day before, safe and unharmed, as if it had not gone out elsewhere from the pastures. Who does not know that through the prayers of Saint Monenna the calf was preserved unharmed among ravenous beasts, not because there is chiefly care to the Lord concerning cattle, but because He wishes to magnify His saints both in great things and in small, so that they never cease to love Him, whom they believe to be able to do all things whatever He wills.

Of the Rock Turned into Salt #

¹ At a certain time, by chance, very wicked men, sometimes making incursions by robbery, found a certain woman coming not far from the monastery. When they asked from where she had come or where she wished to go, trembling she answered: “I come not from far, and I ought to hasten to Saint Monenna.” To whom again, mocking, they said: “We are not wealthy in this land; say to Monenna that she may not be angry with us, to whom from all sides so much money is sent; yet carry to her our little offering, which we now have, which we believe may be able to last for a long time, if it can produce fruit with her.” And, taking one small stone from those stones which were there before them, and which could be carried by her, they allowed the poor woman to depart; and, the burden having been placed upon her shoulders, they charged her not to set it down from her neck anywhere except in the presence of Saint Monenna. When she had arrived there, and had set down the burden before the holy virgin, they found that the very hard stone placed before her had immediately been changed into the nature of salt. For what the unbelievers, mocking, had done against the power of God, the divine power wonderfully changed. For it was a stone of stumbling and a rock offence [Romans 9:33], to those not believing in the power of God; but their hardness is changed into the nature of salt, when the power is made manifest to the faithful, which leads their souls, some to destruction and others to eternal life.

Of the Food of a Poor Woman Taken and Afterwards Restored #

¹ There was another handmaid of Christ, named Suil, dwelling not very far from the monastery of Saint Monenna. Her little monastery still remains there, to whom food was daily carried, especially by Saint Monenna. Now it happened on another day that one of the sisters of Saint Monenna, an old woman, carrying food to the same, fell in with very wicked robbers on the way; and, the food having been violently taken from her, they allowed her to depart empty. Returning to Saint Monenna, she related what had happened. To whom Saint Monenna is said to have replied: “The reward of your labour and devotion remains whole for you in heaven, and untouched by robbers. But even this, which those most wicked men have taken, the Lord is able to preserve, and to restore it from them untouched, when He wills.” After this, those robbers, going through the wilderness with their spoil, seeking remote places, began to lose their way, and in that land, in which they were most skilled, they could find or recognise no path. But the divine power blinded them, and therefore they were not able to recognise earthly things. Therefore, as they relate, wandering in the woods for three continuous days, they understood that they were among enemies, whom they knew to be in that region, though they thought themselves within their own borders. Therefore, although late, the wretches, by divine prompting, confessed among themselves that they were bound on account of the fault which they had committed, and they promised to do penance at the direction of Saint Monenna, if the Lord should open their eyes to recognise the right way. And in that hour, their eyes being opened, they understood that they were in a place near the monastery of the sisters of Christ. Then, coming to the monastery, they first restored those things which they had carried away from them untouched, according to the prophecy of Saint Monenna. For a sudden bewilderment of an unknown way struck their minds, and the continual fear of enemies at every hour did not allow them, the Lord willing it, even to eat with desire. Therefore, acknowledging their fault, they confessed their error, and, their faces cast down to the ground, they promised that they would fulfil the penance enjoined upon them; and, having received the remedy for their wounds, they returned on their way, promising that they would never again commit robberies after this, even if the Lord should grant them to live for a long time.

Of a Daughter Raised Again to Life #

¹ Many other wonders besides these, which the Lord worked through Saint Monenna, they also most certainly affirm, that recently a daughter coming to Christ, and struck down by death through a sudden illness, after a very long prayer of Saint Monenna, the Lord restored to life; and she who was dead and led to burial, having been raised by the prayers of Saint Monenna, remained in life for many years afterwards, as they relate. From the mouth of the Lord we also daily hear that things which seem incredible to men are to be done as miracles through His saints. To whom especially, when they go forth to preach, He commands to cleanse lepers, to raise the dead, to cast out demons [Matthew 10:8], and other things which the following reading of the divine word shows. And again: “He who believes in me, the works that I do he shall do also, and greater than these he shall do” [John 14:12]. Although in this testimony some wish to understand that this is fulfilled more spiritually through the saints, in those who, once cleansed or raised, so remain that they never die again, but thus live to eternal life.

Concerning another Boy who was Raised #

¹ They likewise relate here a similar miracle performed by holy Monenna of the Lord. Another boy, who did not believe but denied what we said above—that the house was divine—was immediately struck down by sudden death, and through the prayers of holy Monenna was restored and given back to life again.

Concerning a Calf Slain in the House of Donech and Restored to Life #

¹ They also relate another miracle of holy Monenna, said to have occurred in the house of a certain man from the neighbourhood, named Donech. At her arrival, and that of other good people accompanying her, he is said to have killed the calf that he had. For he did not possess great wealth, but had placed abundant charity in his heart. When this deed of the man became known, holy Monenna promised him that the Lord would reward him in the future for doing well, since he had prepared refreshment at the coming of Christ’s guests. This is confirmed there also by a present and unheard-of sign, because on the following day a calf of the same age and colour was found with its mother, just like the one that had been killed the day before for the guests; so that they affirm even to this day that it was one and the same calf which had been killed the previous day and on the next found alive with its mother. Such power is also proclaimed through holy Monenna. But what is incredible—God willing—He who restores what has been consumed, wishing to show His power in all things, is able either to make an animal again from whatever material, or from elsewhere, He who made all things out of nothing, and who will restore the bodies of all people, however they have been destroyed by death, in the resurrection.

Concerning a Small Vessel of Beer Blessed in the House of the Same Donech #

¹ On another occasion, the same man in whose house the event concerning the calf took place, found holy Monenna with her maidens Athea, Ede, and Osid in another of his fields, on a day of rest. They relate most certainly concerning holy Monenna that, after returning from her pilgrimage to Rome and coming into the land of her holy kindred, she never looked upon a man. But when necessity compelled her to go elsewhere—to visit the sick, to free the bound by prayers or gifts, or to redeem captives—they affirm that she would set out at night; or if necessity required it, she would go to meet or speak with men with her face covered by a cloak, always wishing to leave an example to the younger women, that they should in no way allow death to enter the soul through the windows [cf. Jeremiah 9:21]. For, as I said before, she was accustomed to walk more in that land by night, so as not to mingle in the daytime with the sight of people; and when the sun rose, if there was no suitable house nearby to stay in, she would remain even under some shelter in another secluded place, or in a tent, protected from heat or rain. Therefore that blessed man earnestly entreated her, appealing most diligently for God’s sake, that she would come with them to his little dwelling, which he had at a distance, declaring that there was nothing in his possession that might hinder the servants of Christ from coming to him. After some delay, his request having been granted, with him going before, they followed him to his house; and, their feet having been washed with devout service as of Christ’s virgins, and the table having been set, a simple supper was served. Drink also of beer was provided. When these things were finished, she blessed the house and all the host’s goods, and also, as it is said, spoke thus: “Show me also,” she said, “the small vessel of beer from which you brought us drink, that we may bless it more carefully.” When it was set before her, she diligently blessed the little that remained within. And by the power of this blessing, the small amount that was in the vessel increased up to the very brim. She said again to the host: “If you invite any good men whom you wish, you will have sufficient drink for them from this vessel, if you believe. You have had little substance until now, but the Lord now wishes to multiply your goods for you and for your heirs after you, because you have always been ready, even beyond your means, to receive the guests of Christ. For many, as the Apostle says, have by this pleased God, having entertained angels unawares” [Hebrews 13:2]. After holy Monenna departed from there, that same man called to King Bar, to whom he was subject, as he was passing nearby, saying: “Come, my lord, to the little dwelling of your servant, for I have now prepared such a meal as I could.” The king is said to have replied: “We are many, as you see, and we have a supper prepared elsewhere.” The man said again: “I do not wish to hinder you from going to what is prepared, but first you shall come with me and taste a little.” What more? The king, coming with all his multitude to his house, after the meal was first set, drank throughout that whole day and night from that one vessel alone, the drink blessed by holy Monenna. On the following day and night they likewise drank; and as much beer as the cupbearer drew out, so much the blessing within overflowed again. When all learned of this, they marvelled greatly, magnifying the power of holy Monenna in such a deed, knowing that she had accomplished many wonders besides these, by the Lord’s gift. Daily it seems to be fulfilled what Scripture says: “By the blessing of the righteous a city shall be exalted” [Proverbs 11:11]. And again: “The blessing of the Lord makes rich” [Proverbs 10:22]. That same man, after the blessing of holy Monenna, always prospered more and more, and his family afterwards held leadership among the people for a long time, because he had deserved to receive the blessing of holy Monenna.

Here begins in Christ the third little book concerning the virtues of Saint Monenna #

[Chapters] #

¹ On the strictness of her life and her severe abstinence.

² On the vessels prepared when she was compelled by hunger and filled by God.

³ On the pilgrimage of Saint Monenna to Rome again.

⁴ On the glass flask found.

⁵ That Saint Monenna, perceiving that angels had not come, felt her prayers to be hindered because of the fault of a newly converted woman.

⁶ That the same Brig saw two, as it seemed to her, swans—that is, angels—going out from the little dwelling of Saint Monenna.

⁷ On the journey of Lazar into England.

⁸ On the final pilgrimage of Saint Monenna going to Rome through Scotland.

⁹ That King Conagal, son of Conall, and the barons who had assembled, sent to her concerning the appointed day of death being deferred into the future.

¹⁰ On the appearance of Saint Monenna after her death on the third day at Taunatum.

¹¹ On the translation of Saint Monenna.

¹² On a column raised by angels in the time of Derlaisre.

¹³ On water changed into beer.

¹⁴ On the tongue of a mute loosed by Saint Monenna.

On the Strictness of Her Life and Her Severe Abstinence #

¹ Thus for many years holy Monenna, near the same mountain, with her virgins, a monastery having been built, carried out her holy service. But how greatly she afflicted her frail body unceasingly with vigils and prayers, along with many labours; how she wore down and reduced her flesh by very frequent fasts and by constant application to reading on the ground; in what spiritual struggles she toiled against demons; and what and how frequent snares she endured from the enemy; with what flashes of miracles she shone forth—no one among men has been able to recount in full. For she concealed all things from human knowledge as far as she could, except where a clear necessity compelled them to be made known to people. For she followed so closely the footsteps of the earlier hermits and anchorites that she even tilled the earth with her own feet at the hoe, and afterwards herself tended what had been sown, as far as she was able to endure. For she bore herself with a manly spirit and a holy burning desire, and it was her custom to dwell in desert places, especially near mountains, and to pass the night in vigils and prayers upon bare rock with uncovered limbs, or to chant the psalter standing in water up to her shoulders; and she carried a manly spirit in a woman’s body, and instead of woollen or linen garments, like a certain daughter of Elijah and disciple of John the Baptist, she made use of skins. Therefore her hoe and spade, with which she worked in her monastery, are kept even to this day more precious than ivory. Her little cloak and veil, preserved there, we have likewise seen laid up in that place, deservedly far more precious than silks; and they keep with honour her wooden comb, with which, as is said, she combed her hair once in the year—that is, on the Lord’s Supper—or when great necessity of illness compelled her, holding it rightly more precious than if it had been made of gold. But the more she humbled and disfigured herself for Christ, the more the Lord exalted her with the grace of virtues. For as time went on, she and the virgins of Christ began to be visited by all the surrounding peoples, and honoured with many honours. Even queens, hearing of holy Monenna, laid aside their royal dignity and came daily to her, prostrating themselves humbly to the ground, and begged that by her command, if it were possible, or even by conversation, they might be enriched. Daily the number of Christ’s virgins increased, and not only from nearby places but also from distant regions; many alms were sent each day, whether in beasts of burden and livestock, or in abundance of food and clothing, according to the custom of those lands. All these things the holy virgin spent on the needs of the poor and strangers, of widows and orphans, scarcely leaving what might serve for the relief of the sick and of those of the earliest and latest ages.

On the Vessels Prepared when she was Compelled by Hunger and Filled by God #

¹ At another time, when famine persisted, the holy sisters were brought close to death. But they neither dared nor wished to say anything about their need. Holy Monenna, however, held the highest place above all in such virtue. For, unless what human nature cannot endure be considered, she was almost without desire, and was always nourished by the sweet converse of Christ. Therefore, as is related, a man of God, coming to holy Monenna, dared to say: “Why do the sisters of Christ die in your presence, worn out by hunger? For if you are willing, you can, with God’s help, quickly relieve them. For it is much better that those who serve Christ every day throughout their whole life should be able to live through you.” What more? As though suffused with modest shame, she ordered the sisters to prepare many vessels and to place them all in a suitable place; and, blessing each one, she prayed to Christ. Then, on the following night, entering the oratory, she poured out prayers to the Lord in vigils, trusting in Him who said, “Ask, and it shall be given to you” [Matthew 7:7], and the rest; that He who prepares His gifts for the whole world without ceasing might also grant food to His own humble handmaids, who had cast all their care upon Him. Wonderful to relate, on the next day all the vessels, as is reported, were found full, which on the previous evening had been left empty. We see now that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are given without respect of persons, yet not without the grace of merits. For He who once worked in Elisha, the great prophet, also did similar things through a certain monk Benedict, whose life and virtues are described by Pope Gregory [cf. 2 Kings 4:1–7; Gregory the Great, Dialogues]. And now also, through His servant Monenna, though she is set in the farthest ends of the earth, He does not disdain to act, so that from the rising of the sun to its setting His praiseworthy name may be magnified [Malachi 1:11]. For in Christ there is neither male nor female, but Christ is all in all [Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11].

On the Pilgrimage of Saint Monenna to Rome again #

¹ After these things, when the journey had been begun, with Christ as their companion, the holy virgins crossed the sea into Scotland to Saint Andrew, and again crossed over into Britain and built a church in honour of Saint Michael the Archangel on the summit of a hill, which is now called Edeneburd. There were five virgins, whose names are these: the most holy abbess Monenna, Athea and Ede, Osid and Lazar; and they dwelt there for five years. And from there they set out, seeking the shrines of the holy Apostles, namely Peter and Paul and Andrew, that, helped by their prayers, they might be able to ascend to the kingdom of heaven. When they had come to the river which is called Trent, which runs near the Bald Hill, which in the English tongue is called Calvecbif, they built a church there, which place, consecrated to God and Saint Andrew, is called Andreseie, because it is a small island was then deserted. And Saint Monenna, Lazar, and Athea dwelt there for seven years; but Ede and Osid remained in the former place in Arderne, the same forest. And after they had returned from Rome, on the other side of the water they built a church in honour of Saint Peter and Paul at the foot of the Bald Hill. And God worked many miracles through them near the same river. But because Saint Monenna had gained such favour with the people, she did not wish to remain there, and said to her sisters: “I wish, God permitting, to visit my sisters in Ireland.” The virgins answered with weeping, saying: “We also will go with you.” She said: “Let it not be so, but with the grace of God remain here, and, God willing, await my bones with your bones in joy.” And they said: “If it is so, you have given us a great gift.” And Saint Monenna said: “Remain with me here for forty days and nights, that we may pray, and that the Lord Jesus Christ may accomplish what we have foretold, and His will be done.” And when the prayer of the virgins had been completed, an angel of the Lord appeared to them and said: “Let it be done to you as you have asked.” And after the abbess had blessed them, she set out for Ireland. But Athea remained in Andreseia, as Saint Monenna had commanded her. For she was the abbess’s kinswoman; therefore they asked that she should remain with them. Now paganism and the greatest error still prevailed throughout the whole land of the English. The most holy virgin of Almighty God, Monenna, built many churches in the name of God, some in Ireland, whose names are these: namely Focharde, then Cehllescleve, and after that Cheneglas; and she built one church in Surde, and another in Ahrmacha, and also in Mitha, and many others whose names are not written here. This holy virgin flourished and shone with divine virtues and miracles, and she lived in the time of Pope Celestine, who sent Saint Patrick to the Irish peoples, who were set under the darkness of sins and ignorance. But this for the present. In the land of the English also she established certain churches, because at that time, as I have said, they were held in the greatest darkness of paganism. In Arderne, moreover, a very great and extensive forest, she built three churches. A fourth, however, she built on a certain island situated in the same river Trent, which runs near the Bald Hill.

On the Glass Flask Found #

¹ One of the most renowned poets of the Scots, named Brenden, a man blind from childhood, but outstanding above all in the art of poetry, came to a certain river called Berbam. And while he was crossing in a little boat, a glass flask, which was full of wine, fell from his lap into the depth of the water. Though they searched for it for a long time, they were never able to find it, and when all hope of finding it had been taken away, he afterwards said in a little poem which he sang: “If this flask should now be found, it shall without doubt be given to Saint Monenna, that she may have it with her in the service of the altar, which her merit will bring forth from the deep.” When he had sung these things in his own tongue, one looking out saw the vessel sound and whole placed beside him in the water; taking it up, he drew it out of the water and afterwards sent it to Saint Monenna, showing that God had made it known by the invocation of her name.

That Saint Monenna, Perceiving that Angels had not come, felt Her Prayers to be Hindered because of the Fault of a Newly Converted Woman #

¹ It is not doubtful that the angels of the Lord had frequent and continual converse with Saint Monenna, and that they were never absent from her by day or night, from the time she had established her monastery until the day of her death, except for three nights, as some affirm, or one night, as others say, who maintain that this had always been handed down to them from the beginning; and what cause produced this will be shown in what follows. On a certain night, when the sisters had entered the oratory to perform the night vigils, and when at length the prayers had been finished, the signal having been given, Saint Monenna said to the sisters in silence: “Blessed maidens of the Lord, we must not, by hastening, neglect what I see happening to you on this neart. We must raise our prayers to Christ as far as we are able. And now they cannot pass beyond the roof the oratory as they ascend. At this hour we must, as far as we can, search out our consciences by cleansing them. For we greatly wonder that the holy guests, who were accustomed to visit us, have not come at their usual time. For if our sins, whatever they may be, had not been present, without doubt they would always come as usual.” Hearing these things, all the handmaids of the Lord fell upon their faces, terrified with fear at her word; they believed the word of the abbess more, although they knew in their consciences that they had sinned in nothing, just as the Apostles once, when the Lord Christ said, “One of you will betray me” [John 13:21], are read to have answered each one, saying, “Is it I, Lord?” [Matthew 26:22]. For what each one did not have in her own heart, she truly thought that the Lord knew above her. And one of the penitents, who had recently come from the world, answered, saying: “Without doubt it is my fault that I have done this to you. For now I remember that, when I promised my penance, I forgot to confess two little shoes which I had brought from another worldly man, to whom I had formerly been unlawfully joined, and I wore them under my feet this neart because of the cold.” Saint Monenna said: “It is better that those shoes be cast into the deepest pit, because of which we now feel the absence of the angels.” Therefore, calling one of the sisters, Brigna, and others with her, she said to them: “Go and hide those shoes in some deep place where no one may be able to find them.” While they went out to fulfil what had been commanded, they properly completed what remained of the vigils. And Saint Monenna said: “We ought to give thanks with our whole heart to Almighty God, that now our prayers may in some measure ascend upwards as before, and that our desired guests may not fear to come to us, the cause offence against God having been cast away.” Now it can be clearly understood how greatly she had cleansed herself from every stain of even the least sin, since she felt her prayer to be hindered by these smallest things. She did not allow greater faults to grow, who thus wished without any delay to purge even the least things so completely.

That the same Brig saw Two, as it seemed to Her, Swans—that is, Angels—Going out from the Little Dwelling of Saint Monenna. #

¹ The sisters having returned, the command having been fulfilled, and the door of the oratory having been struck, they find everything in silence. And Brigna said to the sisters who had gone with her: “Go into the dormitory and rest a little before morning dawns.” When they had gone in, she returned to the shelter of Saint Monenna, in which, the little chamber being carefully shut, she was accustomed to remain for a long time in prayer upon the bare rock, and to speak familiarly in mutual conversation with the angels of God, as a friend speaks with a friend. And approaching from a distance, she saw, as it seemed to her, two swans flying up into heaven from the little dwelling in which Saint Monenna was resting. Looking at them more closely at first, she began to marvel, and knowing that they were something other than their appearance showed, she did not dare to look any longer, but quickly falling to the ground began more earnestly to pray to the Lord, fearing lest she might perish, struck by the terror of the angelic vision. At length, trembling, she raised herself from the ground, and approaching the little door began gently to knock. When the sound of the one knocking was heard in the dwelling, she said: “I am your servant whom you sent, and we have done what, as we think, was commanded to us. But now, shaken with fear and with all my limbs trembling, I can scarcely restrain my breath.” To her Saint Monenna gently replied: “Examine your heart carefully; perhaps you have encountered the terror of beasts or of demons, which are accustomed to occur in deserts, and may somewhat disturb the female sex.” But she said that the cause of her shaken mind was something else and did not proceed from the terror of any bodily thing, “but these things and these I have seen, and I could not and would not conceal them from you.” To her Saint Monenna said: “Now I believe that the Lord will not deprive you of all good things, since He has revealed to you His secrets, which are hidden from others; for He will not deprive of good things those who walk in innocence of heart” [cf. Psalm 84:11]. “And now it is time for you to dwell in your own land to benefit others. For to this end the Lord has preserved you, that through you deserts may be built up and what was lost may be found, and when it is found, there may be great joy to Christ and the angels. But now know that you will lose the sight of the eyes with which you now see after such a vision, having better eyes with which you may see paradise, and, like the angels whom you have seen, you will shine with the brightness of the firmament. But before my death tell no one of such a vision. Now, however, you shall hasten, as you are able, to your own land, knowing that for those who travel between us, whether in our lifetime or after our death, no evil or anything contrary shall ever come between me and you.” And that this is most true is proved even to this day: though people always travel by dangerous and difficult ways between those two monasteries, we have never heard that anything evil has happened. After this, she hastened to the land of her birth, which is distant from the monastery of Saint Monenna by a journey of one day, and, having found a suitable place there, she remained until the day of her death deprived of bodily sight, just as Saint Monenna had foretold.

On the Journey of Lassar into England #

¹ Saint Monenna had with her one of the maidens named Lassar, whom we mentioned above as a perfect virgin of Christ, as the outcome later proved. The holy abbess, wishing greater things for her and seeing in her the diligence of a most holy life, said to her: “Go, for the sake of Christ, on a pilgrimage into a foreign land which I love, across the sea into Britain, and I will come there, God willing, for the Lord’s sake. Go to the place which is called Andresie, where we especially desire to receive the precepts of discipline.” She arose to carry this out, saying nothing against it, with unwavering faith. Therefore, on that journey this wonderful thing happened, which the merit of holy Monenna’s obedience obtained: that she always found all things necessary for her prepared along the way, so that nothing was lacking for the comfort of her journey, which she had undertaken for Christ and obedience—a thing which rarely happens to those who pass not only through the dangers of lands but also across storm-tossed seas. When they came to the sea, where the crossing is from Scotland into Britain, they found a ship ready in the harbor, which carried them across the sea to the appointed monastery. Staying there in lodging for a long time near it, the same maiden later again set out for Rome.

On the Final Pilgrimage of Saint Monenna going to Rome through Scotland #

¹ When Saint Monenna was one hundred and ten years old, she began to go to Rome for the last time. For on two occasions before she had gone to that aforementioned city. She had also come into Albania, that is, into Scotland, in which she had built churches in the name of Christ, whose names are these. One is Chilnecase in Galloway; another on the summit of the mountain which is called Dundevenel, because she was always accustomed, as we have said before, to pray to God—who must always be prayed to—upon bare rock with bare limbs during the nights, as Scripture says: “Pray without ceasing” [1 Thessalonians 5:17]. The third is on another mountain, Dunbreten. The fourth in the castle which is called Strivelin. The fifth indeed is Dunedene, which in the English language is called Edinburgh. The sixth is the mountain Dunpeleder, and there she crossed the sea in Albania to Saint Andrew. After this she went out to Aleethe, where now there is a very fine church, which Lonfortin built with a certain most holy fountain; and she remained there for some time and loved that place greatly, in which, at the end of her life, as they affirm, by the will of the Lord, she gave up her spirit.

How King Conagal, Son of Conall, and the Assembled Barons Sent to Her Concerning the Deferral of the Day of Death #

¹ When Saint Monenna had learned, by the Holy Spirit revealing it, that the end of her life was approaching, she then sent a messenger into Arderne to the sisters Athea, Osid, and Eda, that they might come to her in the place which is called Lonfortin in Scotland. And they came and remained with her for some days. And as the final day drew near and her illness became known among the people, it brought great mourning upon all. And there came to visit her Conagal, who was king of Scotland at that time, and Eotheri and Cobo and Bollan and Choilli and all the elders of the people with the rest of the multitude as far as the places near the monastery. Therefore they sent Bishop Eona, the brother of Monenna, to her, placing these words in his mouth: “We beg you, on account of our kinship,” for the king himself had a mother named Conalnea, “and the brotherhood which we have, both in the flesh and in God, that you remain with us for even one year, and that you do not leave us like orphans in this year. For we believe and know that whatever you ask of the Lord, you will without doubt obtain from Him. But all of us, as many as are here, and all the people likewise with us, ask that you grant this petition, and whoever among us are princes, or hold any kind of authority, each will give a handmaid to the Lord for your life, and every man of all the people who is able to go armed will willingly give a cow of full age, and from this wealth gathered together into one, you shall do whatever pleases you.” To whom she sent back this reply through the bishop, saying: “May you be blessed by the Lord, who have laid aside your rank to come to visit me in my weakness. If you had come yesterday or the day before, perhaps the Lord in His mercy would have granted that your petition should prevail. Today I cannot consent to your request, because very venerable guests have come to me, who hear our words, who have been sent by the Lord to receive my soul with them—I mean Peter and Paul—whom I see to have with them a white garment of gold, as it seems to me, wondrously adorned, and with them I must go forth to my Lord, who sent them, Jesus Christ. But may the Lord grant a reward to your coming, and what you wished to give voluntarily for my life, let each one give this to the Lord for his own soul. The blessing which you have asked from me you shall without doubt receive. For you are blessed by the Lord who made heaven and earth, with your wives and children, daughters and sons, and all that belongs to you, may you be enriched in every blessing of God. My sheepskin cloak and my mantle and my other belongings I leave with you only as treasures. But let my relics with my staff be carried into another land. If you shall have these with you when going against enemies who come to lay waste your borders, the Lord promises you that you shall have victory through them. But you ought not to go beyond the bounds of your land to attack other nations in war; rather, if those nations wish to devastate your borders and necessity compels you to fight against them there, victory shall always prosperously come to your aid. But to go against other nations outside the bounds of your land, unless compelled by greater power, you ought not, lest perhaps the wrath of the Lord come upon you. But do not be sorrowful at my departure. For I believe without doubt that I shall be no less able to obtain from the Lord those things which benefit you, if I go to Him, than when I was with you in the world.” Entrusting these and similar words carefully to them through the bishop, she said farewell to each one by name. When they heard these things through the reporting bishop, casting down their arms, they all wept with the greatest lamentation for her departure, since they knew that by her prayers they could be helped in all things. After this, having received consolation and being strengthened by the bishop, and having received the blessing of Saint Monenna, they returned to their homes. Therefore on that same day, having arranged all things beforehand concerning her monastery for the future, and having foretold by the Spirit those things which afterward came to pass in due order in times to come, she went on the third day before the Nones of July to Christ with those guests who had come to meet her, on the seventh day from the feast of the birth of the Apostles Peter and Paul, with whom she departed to the kingdom of heaven, to reign with Christ forever and ever. Amen.

On the Appearance of Saint Monenna on the Third Day after Her Death to Taunat #

¹ On the third day after her death, Saint Monenna showed herself in bodily vision to another of the sisters named Taunat, who, coming from the dormitory of the sisters after Compline, compelled by some cause unknown, saw Saint Monenna standing in prayer near the cross situated outside nearby. Recognizing her, she fell at her feet and said: “Lady, what do you command me to do?” To whom she replied: “Entering the house, you shall tell all the sisters that especially at such a time they must keep holy silence, and that no voices of their speech be heard outside beyond the house. Why do they so quickly forget the established rule, whose bounds it is in no way permitted to transgress? You ought not, my daughters, to neglect even small things, lest greater things likewise be neglected. Therefore go, prepare your way, for you shall depart with me when the week is completed.” But she, rejoicing in such a promise, accompanied her for a little while, as they say, as far as a small fountain situated on the northern side of the fortress.

² Therefore Taunat, having returned home, reported these things to the sisters which Saint Monenna had commanded. When these things were heard, struck with fear, all fell prostrate upon the ground, rejoicing at the same time and trembling at the manifestation of so great a vision. But when the seven days had been completed, as was foretold, Taunat said farewell to all the sisters, and while each wept for her departure, yet rejoicing together for the guide of her journey, she entered, as they affirm, her chamber. And there, drawing up her feet, her soul departed with Saint Monenna to the Lord.

On the Translation of Saint Monenna into the English Land #

¹ After the death of Saint Monenna, a great crowd which had gathered from Ireland, Scotland, and England to the place where she had died wished to make a conflict over her body, as to who should take it. There also came Archbishop Columcille to make peace among them. The Irish said: “She is our kinswoman and was born from our land, and therefore we wish to bring her body back to her own country.” The Scots said: “And she is of our race and came to us, and she made the end of her life with us, and she ought to remain with us.” But Athea and those who were with her said: “For the love of God, Columcille, hear us. Years have now passed since the most holy virgin said to us, ‘My bones shall be with your bones, God willing.’ And we believe and hope that nothing else can happen according to the will of God. For this reason we have come here.” And Saint Columcille answered and said to all: “I will give you right counsel. Let us fast today and make prayer to God, that He may give us good counsel and make peace among you.” And they did so. But when morning came, Saint Columcille the bishop said: “Choose from among yourselves eight men, four from Scotland, and two from Ireland, and two others from England. And those from Scotland shall take the bier on the western side, and the other four on the eastern side, and the Lord shall decide between you whose it shall be.” And so it was done, so that the Scots went out with the whole bier, and her body upon it, as it seemed to them, with haste to the church which is called Aleecht. But the Irish and the English went out with Athea and on that same day came with a whole bier and the body upon it whole near the fortress which is called Strivelin, to the church which is called Eccles. And afterward they brought her body from place to place until, coming to the same place which she had chosen for herself in life. For her staff also was placed there with her. But her sheepskin cloak and her mantle and her other belongings were taken as treasures into Ireland to the church which is called Chellescleve.

On the Column Raised by Angels in the Time of Derlaisre #

¹ After the death of Saint Monenna, as she had appointed, Bia, daughter of Ailell, was the second abbess; the third was Dognidui, daughter of Mothai, son of Lilac; the fourth was Derlaisre, daughter of Daisremi, son of Buissidi, who presided over the monastery of the maidens for fifty years. In her time there occurred throughout all Scotland a famous and very great miracle. A church in the monastery of Saint Monenna was being built with the same abbess from planed boards according to the custom of the Scottish peoples, because the Scots are not accustomed to build stone walls nor to have them built. Therefore, when the whole church had been almost completely constructed, the craftsmen and woodcutters again went to the nearby forests to cut trees for those things which were lacking for the completion of the building. And having found enough for the preparation, they sought a longer and thicker tree, which at the highest summit would hold beneath and within itself the top of both walls, which in Latin we call a ridge-beam. Therefore, when this ridge-beam column had long been sought and not found, at last in a steep place surrounded by very large rocks they found a tree suitable for the work; and, cut with axes and stripped of all branches and roots, it was trimmed. For at first they thought they could in some way draw it from there by means of pulleys. But they were unable to move it even a little distance by any contrivance of men or strength of oxen because of the very difficult situation of the place. The craftsmen returned home with the workers and told Saint Derlaisre what had happened. To whom she said: “Saint Monenna lives in heaven, in whose honor the house is being built on earth; she can help you.” And so it was done: when human effort failed, on the following night divine power was present. For the same ridge-beam, angels without doubt sent by the Lord carried to a level place, where it could be approached without any injury to men or beasts. Coming on the next day, the craftsmen found the column upon the road not far from the monastery, which they had believed could never be brought out through the great and very difficult forest. And when this miracle was spread abroad, all who heard it glorified God, saying that they had nowhere else heard of a greater wonder than what the Lord had done through the merit of Saint Monenna. But when the craftsmen, examining at leisure, looked to see whether they might discover any trace of the great column, broken little branches appeared to them on the tops of the trees, as if, it seemed to them, they had been touched by the column. From this they supposed that the column had been carried through the air by angels. And now, the house having been renewed, that same ridge-beam is held among the relics.

On Water Changed into Beer #

¹ At another time, in the days of Saint Derlaisre, a holy bishop named Finbar, surnamed Vinnianus, directed his journey to the monastery of Saint Monenna, and, having sent no messenger before him, he appeared to be descending from a hill not very far away. When he was seen and recognized, Saint Derlaisre said to a girl who ministered to her: “Draw now quickly water from the fountain of Saint Monenna, and fill the vats that are in the house with water, in which there seems to have remained something of ferment.” And when the vessels had been filled to the top, and the others had gone out of the house, she blessed each vessel, which, through the power of the blessing, began to boil; and she said to a girl especially faithful to her: “Test what it is that is boiling in the vessels.” She, carrying out the command, said: “It is most perfect beer in the vessels, and I have never tasted anything like it.” To whom Saint Derlaisre said: “Before my death tell no one of this which has happened, because the merit of Saint Monenna and of the holy bishop have done these things. But lest any human flattery attribute this to me, I do not wish that before my death anyone besides you should know.” Therefore when the bishop and his companions arrived, and the feast having begun, they all drank such excellent beer that all declared they had never found the like anywhere else. They were made so joyful that, had not the bishop forbidden it, almost all would have become drunk.

² I call God to witness, both reader and hearer of these virtues, that they may intercede with pious prayers for me, the very wretched servant of the Lord, Conchubranus, weighed down by the burden of sin, that what, through the hindrance of the adversary, I am not able to fulfill of the commands of God by my own strength as I ought, through the merits of these sisters interceding for me, I may be able to accomplish before my death; so that, freed from the bonds of death through their intercessions, Christ granting it, I may be worthy to pass into the fellowship of the saints who dwell in heaven, in the mansions [John 14:2] of the perfect together with Christ, who reigns forever and ever. Amen.

Appendix #

Hymn of Saint Monenna the Virgin #

From MS. Cotton Cleopatra, A. ii. fol. 1r°-3v° #

¹ Let us invoke the mighty God of gods,
the Lord, the author of the life of all,
the king and spouse of virgins,
eternal and infinite,
through the very strong merit of Saint Monenna,
that he may lead us after death
into the refreshment of the kingdom.

² Hear the holy zeal
of the countless virgins of Christ,
the many, sound, and most wholesome deeds
of Saint Monenna,
which diligence made known,
Christ’s grace granting it,
whom you, O Christ, forever
have placed in glory.

³ Blessed by Patrick,
under the virginal cloak
she consecrated to the Lord
the temple of her heart as a dwelling;
a possession worthy of Christ,
preserved forever for her spouse,
whom you, O Christ, forever
have placed in glory.

⁴ Perfect in heart, sober,
a most worthy bride of God,
she had most beautiful garments,
fit for a wedding,
clothed in which, as queen,
she stood at the right hand of the King,
whom you, O Christ, forever
have placed in glory.

⁵ God granted to her
the greatest grace of virtues,
sure and true prophecy,
knowledge of things to come,
glory in every assembly,
victory over adversities,
whom you, O Christ, forever
have placed in glory.

⁶ It was wondrous for her
to make wine from water,
to make rock into salt,
when tested by the sons of Satan,
always enriched with the gift
of angelic vision,
whom you, O Christ, forever
have placed in glory.

⁷ It is told that a calf of Monenna,
snatched at once by wolves,
spent the night most miserably,
fearful among the wolves;
but when she prayed, quickly
it was restored unharmed from the beasts,
whom you, O Christ, forever
have placed in glory.

⁸ A glorious miracle,
spread abroad among the people:
one calf was slain
for a feast of the servants of God,
which through the merit of Monenna
was made to be alive again,
whom you, O Christ, forever
have placed in glory.

⁹ She was humble in spirit,
yet exalted in merit;
she tilled the earth with a hoe,
in the manner of hermits,
bearing a man’s purpose
in a woman’s body,
whom you, O Christ, forever
have placed in glory.

¹⁰ In the rigor of fasting,
in the ardor of charity,
in every good labor,
for the Lord’s sake,
thus she lived at all times,
her body as if crucified,
whom you, O Christ, forever
have placed in glory.

¹¹ A chaste and chosen dove,
perfectly united to her mother,
a turtledove most pure,
known by her sounding voice,
a true and flowering vine,
worthy of Christ the Lord,
whom you, O Christ, forever
have placed in glory.

¹² She was a shining lamp
set in the temple of God,
a flourishing virgin of Jesse,
beautiful, strong, and unique,
a most beautiful pearl,
adorned to please the King,
whom you, O Christ, forever
have placed in glory.

¹³ She built a great church,
excellent in the wilderness,
in which she performed very great power,
most worthy of praise;
she raised one daughter,
dead, back to life,
whom you, O Christ, forever
have placed in glory.

¹⁴ They also tell of a little vessel,
wonderful to relate, of silver,
cast into a great river
over a long stretch of lands,
which, by Monenna’s will from above,
was sent back by the Lord,
whom you, O Christ, forever
have placed in glory.

¹⁵ O holy virgin of Christ,
imitator of Saint Mary,
O true branch of the vine,
fruitful in every labor,
O exalted bride of the King,
ever pleasing to God,
a grape which you, O Christ, forever
have placed in glory.

¹⁶ With the patriarchs,
with the chosen virgins,
with the companies of the apostles,
shining with the light of the sun,
raised to honors
like those of the saints,
whom you, O Christ, forever
have placed in glory.

¹⁷ As much as she endured the cross,
so much does she rejoice in heart;
as much as she pleased the Lord,
so many signs did she merit;
as much as she obeyed God,
so much reward did she receive,
whom you, O Christ, forever
have placed in glory.

¹⁸ She enjoys the kingdom of heaven,
she is refreshed by the man of God,
she is nourished with heavenly manna,
she is fed in paradise,
where by the saints is sung
a song that never ends,
whom you, O Christ, forever
have placed in glory.

¹⁹ Clothed in the robe of glory,
secure in the hope of victory,
she follows the bridegroom everywhere
in the breadth of heaven,
in the order of the elect
she shines like the sun,
whom you, O Christ, forever
have placed in glory.

²⁰ When midnight has passed,
crying out with a heavenly voice,
with a shining lamp
the bride goes forth to meet him;
the prudent and taught daughter
passes to the bridegroom’s joys,
whom you, O Christ, forever
have placed in glory.

²¹ She entered the heavenly city,
the celestial Jerusalem,
having received a white garment
shining like the sun,
after perfect victory
she has praise and glory,
whom you, O Christ, forever
have placed in glory.

²² She sits at the right hand of Christ,
together with Saint Mary,
having the highest joys
in the glory of the Trinity,
among thousands upon thousands
of exalted angels,
whom you, O Christ, forever
have placed in glory.

²³ Singing an infinite hymn to God,
to the King of all,
praising forever
his supreme rule,
with harmonious voice of songs
of the exalted elect,
whom you, O Christ, forever
have placed in glory.

²⁴ The most hard belt of Christ
girded her holy body;
having laid it aside in perfection,
she is clothed in a fine robe,
among the ranks of the saints
for ages upon ages,
whom you, O Christ, forever
have placed in glory.

²⁵ Amen.

²⁶ Pray for us, blessed Monenna, that we may reign with Christ through your holy merits.

²⁷ Through the merits and prayers of the holy virgin Monenna let us call upon the Lord, that we may blot out our sins and offenses through repentance.

Hymn of Saint Monenna, Virgin #

From MS. Cotton Cleopatra, A. ii. fol. 56 v°-58 r° #

¹ Hear, brothers, the deeds
Without any fault
Of Saint Monenna,
A saving woman.

² Blessed she remained
Without any stain,
She appeared on earth
After the miracles of life.

³ The heavenly virgin,
Entering with melody,
Went to meet the bridegroom
With chosen oil.

⁴ Worthy, we beg
Through her helps,
That we may deserve
Great wonders.

⁵ She was chosen
By God and by men,
She clung to Christ
In joyful years.

⁶ A faithful woman
Shines with wondrous favor,
She hastens to heaven,
But with great labor.

⁷ By the grace of Christ
She rested most pleasingly,
Chaste in union,
Made most faithful.

⁸ Of humility
She had stood as an example,
Hence exalted,
She sought the meadows of heaven.

⁹ Of the young
She was a rule in number,
Taught by God,
Chaste and humble.

¹⁰ She kept her flesh chaste
Before the angels,
She shines in white,
In bright shining garments.

¹¹ A clear lamp
Nor placed under a bushel,
Was set forth
With oil kindled. [Matthew 5:15]

¹² Of Mary the mother,
A wondrous image,
This virgin was made
Lofty, ineffable.

¹³ She harmed no one,
She trod down all things passing away,
She shone in virtue,
In mature youth.

¹⁴ O holy bride
Of the highest lawgiver,
Perfectly fulfilling
The precepts of the Savior.

¹⁵ From her own homeland
Going forth as a pilgrim,
Bearing in the cross
A light from light burning.

¹⁶ As if to a vein,
She lacked care for the world,
Worthy of the Lord,
She flourished with firm faith.

¹⁷ Holy queen
Remaining without stain,
A pure maiden
Like a falling star.

¹⁸ O Saint Monenna,
With praises resounding,
Like organs,
With choirs exalting.

¹⁹ A perfect temple
She built in her breast,
Chaste in her dwelling
With the ruling King.

²⁰ Truly she remains
Without any stain
Among the holy of holies,
The wonders of the angels. [Hebrews 9:3]

²¹ Having followed Christ,
Safe from infancy,
She left the world
With her substance.

²² A hymn arising
Of Christ to all ears,
Whose memory
Remains with praises.

²³ Girded with a belt
Of shining chastity,
She shines in joys
Like a golden lamp.

²⁴ Glory to the Father
And to the Only-begotten
Of the thundering One,
Exalting merits
Of Saint Monenna,
Let us ask excellently,
That through her helps
We may possess rewards.

²⁵ Saint Monenna, the light of this world, ascended; on the lampstand the radiant bridegroom,
like the sun at midday. [Matthew 5:15] [Malachi 4:2] He who reigns to the ages of ages. Amen.

From MS. Cotton Cleopatra, A. ii. fol. 58 v°-59 r° #

¹ Now Saint Monenna lived one hundred and thirty-three years, and she was abbess for forty years. Her father indeed, by name Mothait, was king of Ouealmlud, son of Lilach, son of Lugdach, son of Conald, son of Ermen, son of Soir, son of Imchad, son of Fedlemid, son of Maicc. Her mother indeed was a queen by name Cum man, daughter of the king of Dalbranaig.

² The fifth abbess after Saint Monenna was Cron, daughter of Dachoram, for twenty-four years.

³ The sixth abbess, Conchen, daughter of Colman, daughter of Aed the king, surnamed “the Abundant,” for thirty years.

⁴ The seventh, Cron, daughter of Erner, son of Fecthen, whose rule not completed, in the monastery the number of years is reckoned as one year.

⁵ The eighth, Damorir, daughter of Scandlan, grandson of Dachoram, for twelve years; she dies in a great mortality.

⁶ The ninth, Gnathat, daughter of Chritan, for thirty years.

⁷ The tenth, Finan, daughter of Critan, son of Scanlan, grandson of Dachoram, was abbess for one month.

⁸ The eleventh, Luccan, daughter of Aedgnae, son of Abeil, presided for eleven years.

⁹ The twelfth, Femen, daughter of Fallaich, for thirty-three years.

¹⁰ The thirteenth, Allabuir, daughter of Foidmin, for thirty-four years.

¹¹ The fourteenth, Flaithgrath, for thirty years.

¹² The fifteenth, Medboc, daughter of Midgasa, was abbess for fifteen years.

From MS. Cotton Cleopatra, A. ii. fol 59 v°-60 r° #

¹ We have heard from a certain man, religious and whose words are to be trusted, that in a certain monastery which the glorious virgin Moduenna had built in Ireland, even to the present day her bed is seen, placed across the entrance of the monastery, cut from stone in the manner of a tomb. On this, after immense labors, after many sweats, after long vigils, not with gathered feathers, not with linens or coverings, but on hard stone, she rarely gave her limbs rest, so that not only by watching, but even by sleeping, she might compel the flesh to be a handmaid to the spirit. Concerning this bed, such a miracle is reported to occur. The virgins serving God there observe this ordinance inviolate, namely, that no one is admitted into their company unless it has first been established among them that she is a virgin; and this they entrust to be examined by divine judgment in the following manner. A young woman about to enter the monastery and to receive the sacred veil is first placed upon that bed to rest. Wonderful to say, if she is a virgin, she awakens not only afflicted by no disturbance, but even if before she had complained that she was troubled by some illness, she will at once rejoice to be restored to her former health. But if any, with rash boldness, has falsely claimed herself to be a virgin—which some do, because it is shameful to confess that one is not—and has presumed to lie upon that same bed, she will awaken to find that bed, and also all her garments, defiled with blood, as if someone had deliberately stained that bed with the blood of animals slain in that very place.

From MS. Cotton Cleopatra, A. ii. fol 60 r° and MS. Lansdowne, 436, fol. 131 v° #

¹ Ireland gave origin to Moduenna, Scotland her end,
England gives her tomb, God gives the highest heaven.
The first gave life, but the second land death,
And the third land gave earth to earth.
Lanfortin receives her, whom the land of Conall brings forth;
Happy Burton holds the bones of the virgin.

From MS. Cotton Cleopatra, A. ii. fol. 60 r° #

¹ Rejoice, O virgin, mother of Christ, who through …
Rejoice, because you have borne, full of God.
Rejoice, because of your Son, whom you grieved …
Rejoice at Christ ascending.
Rejoice, because after him you ascend,
Where the fruit of your womb is.