P. Grosjean (ed.), Analecta Bollandiana 46 (1928) — translated from the Latin. The source microfilm is of very poor quality and the two-column page was badly interleaved in the OCR; the text has been re-extracted column by column, and points where the words could not be recovered are marked with bracketed ellipses.

[End of a second, fragmentary life of St Flannan] #

… [A battle was joined between the men of Rome and the Gauls,] the left hand being hotly engaged, [and the king’s men] were scattered with their attendants. When the king’s son came alone with his followers, all the people were sorely grieved [for his arm had been cut off in the fight]. Then Saint Flannan, saying, “It is no sign of our infirmity,” [took the king’s son and made him whole]: and saying this he composed the king’s son and prayed to the Lord, and flesh cleaved to flesh, and the arm was healed, [so that] he restored it sound to its former state.

Afterwards Saint Flannan, wishing to keep the custom of the primitive Church, [desired to go to Rome, that the lord pope should consecrate him]; and through the laying-on of the venerable pope’s hands he received the episcopal rank. […]

And the holy man, [bidding farewell] to the Gauls, [returned to Ireland], leaving his fame behind him among all. […] And wishing himself to observe the custom of the primitive Church, he sought the presence of the supreme pontiff — holy pope John — to receive holy orders and licence to preach the gospel. After this he came with his companions to the seashore, where he earnestly besought God to provide him with a suitable vessel — for it was not his custom [to travel in the fashion of men]. And a holy elder came to him and said: “Your prayers are heard, for your desires have drawn near to you. Now therefore a ship is sent you, contrary to the wonted course of nature. Go then now, doubting nothing, for Christ shall guide you over this stone, as your soul desires.” And when they mounted upon the rock, they were carried over the sea […] until they came in that voyage to the shores of the land of Gaul. Then, since so great a miracle had been wrought, crowds flocked together from every side to see the sight, and praised God.

[In Gaul,] the king’s only son had his arm cut off in battle; the king came to meet him, drew the man of God aside, and begged him to work a cure. And the servant of God healed him. He remained there also for the space of a year, [enjoying] the licence of preaching the gospel [granted him]. And the companions of the saint [related that] palm-fruits fell through the streets and squares of the Roman city like rain from heaven — a wonder vouchsafed a third time. And the people, seeing so great a miracle, cried with a loud voice, saying: “See, a star has shone upon the Church of the Christian name from the borders [of the west].”

The Life of Saint Flannan #

From a manuscript of the Bodleian library, fol. 158 (and other leaves).

King Theodoric, though busied with many things, governed himself providently, as an overseer of all. He followed the footsteps of the Saviour, declaring them with his own mouth by good works, and spared not his own substance: for he gave ample lands and richest possessions out of his wealth to holy men, so that Christianity received a great increase in the island of Ireland. And since the father’s life was pleasing to God — for he was a man learned in the sacred law — therefore his sons [were blessed].

[Flannan] fulfilled works of obedience at Laon above the rest; he did without any blush of countenance before his parents every humble duty enjoined by the master — even vile ones — such as the lesser folk disdained to do. Now on a certain time the elder bade him enter the mill alone for his service, sift the meal diligently, and afterwards make bread with his own hands. So he entered the mill in the morning, as he had been bidden, and ministered alone until night, grinding the grain; and when his light failed and he had no help from elsewhere, he breathed with his blessed mouth upon the five fingers of his left hand, and after the manner of five lamps they lit up the whole dwelling through the whole night by divine power. But the cellarer of the monastery, not knowing that the servant of God was at the mill, sent a messenger to report what the servant of God was meanwhile doing. The messenger, coming to the mill and peering through the chinks of the little door, [saw the lights, and fled back to the cellarer to tell what he had seen. But] by the just judgement of God he lost his eye [for that presumptuous spying]. Now the elder Molua said: “I indeed perceived those same lights, heaven-sent upon the man of God, yet I resolved to pass them over in silence; but you, [looking through the chink,] have lost your eye by God’s just judgement. Yet God’s mercy is better [than His justice] — He is readier to pity than to condemn. Go to the servant of the Most High, ask pardon for your presumption; by our prayers and His blessing He shall restore your eye to its former state of sight.” It was done; and He at once restored the lost eye — yet the mark of the injury remained.

[And the brethren said:] “Now is the time at hand in which the prophecy of holy Brendan is fulfilled — that which he foretold concerning this holy man, whom God [has chosen]: ‘A star shall rise [in the west], which shall be a leader and a guide to the lands [plunged] in darkness.’” For Brendan had foretold these things of Saint Flannan.

Desiring also to observe the custom of the primitive Church, he sought the presence of the supreme pontiff — holy pope John — to receive sacred orders and licence to preach the gospel. After this he came with his companions to the seashore, and there earnestly besought God to provide him with a suitable vessel — for it was not [the saint’s] custom [to journey as other men]. And a holy elder came and said to him: “Your prayers are heard, for your desires draw near to you. Now therefore a ship is sent you, contrary to the wonted course of nature. Go then now, doubting nothing; for Christ shall bear you over this rock, wherever your soul desires.” And when they mounted upon the stone, they were carried in that voyage to the shores of Gaul. Then, since so great a miracle had been wrought, crowds flocked from every side to see the spectacle, and praised God.

[In Gaul,] the king’s only son had his arm cut off in war; the king came to meet the man of God, drew him aside, and besought him to heal it. And the servant of God healed him. The man of God remained there also for the space of a year, and obtained licence to preach the gospel. The companions of the saint [told how] palm-fruits fell through the streets and squares of the Roman city like rain from heaven — granted for the third time at his consecration. And the people, seeing so great a miracle, cried with a loud voice: “See, a star has shone upon the Church of the Christian name from the borders [of the west].”

[And when he would return to Ireland,] see — certain men who in presumption would have hindered his pilgrimage stood fixed upon the spot like images of stone, cleaving to the ground, and could move neither forward nor backward; [and so they remained] until, marvelling at the miracle, the Romans came [and entreated him]. And the next day he went his way home, [and the word was fulfilled:] “Many shall come from the west and shall sit down with Abraham in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom [shall be cast out],” and so forth. For the kingdoms of the western lands [received him gladly].

After this the most blessed bishop Flannan came with his company to the island of Brachanum; and the son of Tumor, king Theodoric, kissing each one, wept for joy. In that same island certain of the aforementioned holy men ended their lives; and by the merits and prayers of those holy men many are held in their troubles to this day.

Then the fame of God [in Flannan] spread through the ends of diverse lands; [and all that he did was] for the edification of them that heard — so greatly had he led his father to the contempt of this passing world and turned him to the things of heaven. For he used to say to his father: “Illustrious father, since the bones of your ancestors are now empty and stripped of their marrow, let your tongue be as the pen of a ready writer of the Holy Spirit — [that you may convert] those whom the proud world [holds fast].” And Theodoric, not forgetful of the man of God’s words, pondering all things with devout mind — ever gazing upon heaven, holding glory in hatred — went with no companion at all to Saint Colman of Lismore, who was bishop at that time; for that saint was the head of a company of many monks, from whose holy college many are renowned, and not a few were drawn by the fame of the holiness of that Colman.

But what did that same king, now a monk? He would not eat his bread in idleness among the brethren, but caused hammers and other instruments fit for breaking stones to be prepared, that he might fit a road for the brethren and for the animals carrying burdens to the monastery — for the monastery stood upon a very high rock and the way was hard. So earnestly did he ply that labour that streams of sweat were seen by all running down to the ground from his [body]; and the more [he toiled, the more] men ran to Saint Colman, trusting in the holiness that breathed from his body.

[And when the work was done, Colman praised the humility of the man] who had levelled the rough ground for the brethren’s sake, and sighing said: “Blessed are you, who for Christ’s love have abandoned wife and kin, and in fleeing the love of the world have followed Him through all things; the help of the earthly [life]…” And measuring the place he said in the spirit: “Seven of your blood shall rule all Ireland.” And when they would have led the king to the place of his profession, the king said: “I will not go…” [— so deeply was he bound to Lismore.]

On a time, when certain companions of Saint Colman were journeying to the plains of Imlech with few attendants, a wild bull rushed upon them on the way. Worn out with fear, scarce able to help themselves, they took refuge — putting their whole hope in Christ — in an ancient hollow yew trunk that lay there cleft in parts; and the bull charged upon it, and they fought against it with their own weapons [from within], until at their prayers the man of God [delivered them]. And Saint Colman said: “…there are no sweeter things here…” And the next day he declared to the chiefs of the Tregni and others [the judgements] of the faithless — signs in praise of the good and in vengeance on the evil.

After this, when a greater [distress] came upon the king[’s people], Saint Flannan, having compassion on their sorrow, [went to seek his father, who had withdrawn] into solitude. For he had left the people, and lived as a reconciler in the middle of the people no more. And Flannan added: “My father, this above all things else grieves us — that passing over these rough ridges of the mountains you should end your present life there, and lead your sons and grandsons and all your progeny to [their end].” The father answered: “My son and brother in Christ, I have promised, and I will not draw back; it befits my age. In this life you shall see me no more with the eyes of the body. Here with me shall be your rest; here shall you dwell; here is your resurrection.” Nor did the tears of his sons move him from his purpose, or turn him aside from this prophecy. And crossing the bridge of the city, and climbing the mount, he found Saint Viventius at the spring on that mountain’s brow, and refreshed himself with drinking. And when… [the last day of his present life drew near, he gave charge concerning] his sons and grandsons and all [his house].

Then the princes and holy men assembled to Saint Flannan that they might [set] the holy man over the realm set in the mount of virtue and good works. But he despised all worldly things as dung: he laboured with his own hands at the axe and the adze with the rest; he clothed himself in vile clothing; he utterly subdued the flesh to the law of the spirit; and whatever came to him by right of his bishopric or from the gifts of the kings of the land he at once bestowed on the poor — for he reckoned it a crime of high treason if the patrimony of Christ were not spent upon the needs of the poor. Therefore all that came to his hand he ministered to pilgrims and guests, to the lame and the other infirm — above all to the brethren stricken with leprosy. And, a thing wondrous to tell, he used to chant the whole Psalter standing in the cold water of the river, even in frosty weather. Nor let any wonder that this could be, for the fervour of the immense charity of the Holy Spirit that lived in his heart drove all cold and chill from his body.

Moreover, of the many miracles contained in the book of his deeds we here subjoin a few, for love of brevity.

¹⁶ On a certain time a public robber secretly stole the oxen of the holy bishop Flannan, of which he killed one and made it ready. But when, pressed by hunger, he and his men would roast part of it at the fire and boil part in water — the creature refusing rather to serve its enemies — they could neither roast the flesh nor even warm the water. Then the robbers, terrified lest the divine vengeance should come upon them, hastened at once to the man of God, and renouncing the works of darkness, firmly promised [amendment] for ever after.

At another time certain robbers stole a fat cow from the pasture of the holy man, [and when they would have eaten it, worms swarmed in the flesh]; whereupon, acknowledging their fault and promising to amend their lives for the future — and they being contrite — he granted them full pardon.

In the days of Saint Flannan two reguli of the same province were long at discord with each other. The son of peace, Flannan, called them together and established a truce of one year. But when the stronger of the two reguli was minded to lay waste [the other’s land], Flannan, divinely moved, said: “Why, most faithless of men, have you dared to attempt this? Turn back, and do not this evil.” The other, like Pharaoh in stubbornness, [refused]. “I pray,” said the saint, “that the horse wherein you trust may fall under you.” And at the same hour the horse fell under him and died on the spot. “O faithless one, you have lost your gift,” he said… [and the man] humbly begged pardon; and the king bowed, and with tearful voice [confessed his fault, saying]: “As you have granted me pardon, so condescend, O pastor, to my petition.” Cond descending to their prayers, he [forgave them].

At another time [certain men] had their shins bound together; and when they had thus bound themselves, they declared that they would undergo whatever penance [he enjoined], if he would free them from this penalty — for they, as robbers, had done damage to various churches. The blessed man answered them, [seeing they were] of good disposition…

[In those days also] the sons of the famous Crimthann reigned in all Ireland for their holiness and equity of judgements, and so prudently did he discharge the care committed to him [that he was as a lamp of oil to the nation].

At another time it befell that nine of a band of men, horrible [robbers], [came] in vain [to steal]; and in the days of our life… he prayed, “as you have given me pardon” — and condescending to them he [freed them,] whose shins had been bound.

[And he remembered the type of] the son of Isaac on the mount — the ram caught among the briars by its horns.

¹⁸ [Once, when the saint] was asked [concerning the building of his church], he said: “Send here your servant — me your poor one, though I be unworthy — and they shall [show you the place].” And see, [the messengers came, and] the men besought him… for the salt [of his blessing]; and so they turned that occasion [to good], and they who had been four-footed [thieves] besought the foundation of the faith.

²⁰ The saint therefore, fearing [the judgment of God], standing in the same waters wherein he used to chant the Psalter, [prayed]… that a certain man Tegal, whose relics… should be acceptable to the chiefs. The Lord regarded the humility of His servant’s prayer, and see, after a few days, that reverend face, lovely to all who saw it, was so stricken with a horrible [pestilence] that it became a horror [to look upon] — yet he was healed by the greatness of the saint’s [intercession, revealed in tears].

[The fame of the miracles wrought by] the holy men who had come from various parts was heard; and they unanimously [praised] the saint.

In the days of Saint Flannan, God granted universal peace to the world, and for the merits of His servant He granted the island of Ireland abundance of fruits and plenty of fish.

And when Flannan, the contemplator of heavenly things, foreknew that his last day was at hand, he called together many holy men, and his brother Couterin — namely the king of the land — and the princes of that realm; and he delivered divine charges, and [commended] the people and the care of his church, [ordaining] that no man should usurp the headship of his church by right of royal blood, but that whoever — of whatever condition he might be, even of the middle condition — should be chaste, generous, humble and meek, such a one should be received by the common election of all to the government of the church. These things said, he commended the clergy and [people to God], and [his body] to rest in the bosom of the earth. And he added, saying: “Nevertheless there shall be certain priests who shall [claim] my [inheritance] for themselves, but it shall not profit their souls…”

[And when he had finished his course,] by common consent a certain holy man was chosen to the succession. And the Creator, joyful [at his coming], received his soul. He used to take to himself the sick and minister to them with his own hands. And once, when the natives brought rich and delicate foods, [he anointed them and] wiped them with his own hair, lest by occasion he should incur the displeasure of the lord Flannan, the clergy and people resisting…

²³ But lest we should seem to pass over in silence the multitude of his miracles: the blind received sight, the lame their gait, and those held in their torments were restored to health. And when the most precious body of the so desirable pastor had lain in the bosom of the earth, [the people] dug it up and laid it in [a shrine]; and collecting gold and silver from the king and his princes, they made a casket by art, wherein they laid those most holy bones of the saint, with bells also, in reverence of the holy man.

[Once, moreover,] when a question arose whether they should [translate] his tomb, a holy man appeared by night to the sacristan of the church, and showed him the place where the staff of Saint Flannan lay hid; and the thief, being named by the saint’s apparition, restored it again to its own state. And so it was done.

Here ends the Life.

A Fragment (on the manner of the Purgatory) #

See above — this fragment describes the rite of the Purgatory pit.

… being constant in his purpose, having received the blessing of all the priests, and commending himself to the prayers of all, and marking himself with the sign of the cross with his own hand, he entered [the pit]; and at once the prior shut fast the door and so returned to the church. And the next day, early again, the prior went to the door of the pit, and the door was opened; and if the penitent was found to have returned, he was led with joy into the church, wherein he remained for other days intent upon vigils and prayers. But if he had not appeared again at the same hour the next day, all being most certain of his death, [the pit] was shut fast by the prior [for ever].

… [and the knight] trusting in the mercy of God, entered boldly into the darkness. And at once the prior shut the door upon him from without. And going forward in the dark, he came to a wall built in the manner of a cloister, not solid but set upon columns. There, strengthened by the Lord, he confirmed his good purpose — [and a voice said to him:] “Since you have come to the Purgatory to be purged of your sins, you shall be driven by necessity to bear it manfully; and if you have set your whole hope in the Lord, and do not yield to the threats or the promises of the demons, you shall be purged of all that you have done, and shall see wherein the just rejoice. [Invoke the name of Jesus, and] at His invocation the torments shall at once [give place].”

And as he sat alone in the hall, suddenly he began to hear [a noise] as if all men and all animals were making a tumult; therefore he was greatly afraid, and the demons began to rush into the hall from every side. And the multitude of them saluted him with scoffing and derision, saying as it were in reproach: “Other men come to us only by death, but you, in such honour of our company, would not wait for the day of death, but have come to us living. you have done this to receive from us the greater reward — therefore you shall receive from us what you deserve; for you cam to suffer torments for your sins. Seek then what you seek: you shall see distresses and sorrows. Yet if you will listen to us, and serve us, we will lead you back [to the upper world], lest you lose utterly all that is sweet to the body.” But the knight, knowing that the demons desired to deceive him by terror, [trusted in God].

First therefore he was cast into the fire, a grievous fire of the Lord’s kindling, until it seemed that not a spark of him remained. Then the knight, instructed in the hope [of Christ], invoked [the name of Jesus — and was delivered]. And the demons led him with howling and horrible tumult to regions where the sun does not rise; and when he had come there, to the end of the world, they began to drag him towards the west, through a most broad valley, until — when they had come — he began to hear most wretched cries and wailings and weepings of the earth; and the nearer he drew, the more clearly he heard their cries. At last the knight came, the demons dragging him, into a most broad and long plain full of misery and pain. The end of that plain could not be seen by the knight, for its exceeding length and breadth. The plain was full of men and women, old and young, lying naked upon their faces in the earth, fixed into the ground with glowing nails through hands and feet. These seemed at times to bite the earth for pain, at times to howl most miserably…

[Then the demons] drew the knight with them across a vast region. Great was the land, and dark… And he sat alone in the hall, and round about the hall [he heard a noise] as if the whole world were being moved, and every device of earth and sea made a tumult; and had he not been instructed by the divine [help] which was in him, he must needs have perished. And the demons said to him, as it were in reproach: “Other men come to us only by death, but you in such honour of our company would not await the day of death, but have come to us living in the body. [Turn back, and] if you will return to the world, rejoice — lest you lose utterly all that is sweet to the body.” But the knight, knowing that the demons desired to deceive the man by terror…

[Here the fragment ends in the manuscript specimen printed by Grosjean.]