¹ From an ancient codex of Kilkenny, collated with another of Salamanca.

² Senanus was begotten of noble parents, and from his very cradle by faithful Christians, who were held in great grace of God in Scotia. Their names were Ercanus and Coemgella. He had already been marked out beforehand by a divine oracle, both in life and in name, as God had foreknown.

³ For at that time there was a man of great renown, a true worshipper of Christ also, in the island of Ireland, named Patrick, bishop by office: so powerful in word and deed at that time that by teaching and miracles he converted to the Lord the people of Momonia, who were fervent in idols.

⁴ After these things, by the grace of God, he went into the province of Hy-Conall, in order to recall its inhabitants, pagans and idolaters, to the worship of the true faith by the word of God. It therefore came to pass at once, when the bishop entered, that, God being favourable, he laid upon them the due burden with a saving beginning. Thus the name of Christ became known, and a great multitude of men, believing in the Lord by the light of the divine word, increased daily and worthily in number.

⁵ As time went on, all things prospered; the people once pagan burned with zeal in the praises of God; mouths formerly gentile proclaimed the mighty works of God, and churches being built, as among other tongues, they gave due thanks for their conversion.

⁶ Meanwhile, the venerable bishop was often asked by the inhabitants who would afterwards be bishop there after him, secretly and repeatedly saying to him: “Servant of God Patrick, precept and apostle, good father and patron, while you still live, make this known: who, when you are dead, will be set over your flock? For who then shall enter the sheepfold through the gate, unless you first, Lord, designate by name who shall discharge the priesthood in your place, so great a one?”

⁷ Therefore, to these frequent prayers the bishop then replied: “What you ask of me, know that it belongs to God; for from the Father of lights is every good gift. A little one shall be born to you, destined to be a servant of God, who also by name Senanus shall stand in my order, succeeding me as bishop, God being favourable.” Content with these words, the disciples, trusting their prophet, quickly desired the birth of him about whom they had heard such things.

⁸ When the fullness of time, according to the faith of the Promiser, had come, the boy was born, endowed with every virtue, and shone with prerogative, as was evident at the very time of his birth. For when, in the hand of the woman in childbed, there was a piece of dry wood, it was immediately made to flower, plainly giving to be understood by a wondrous sign that afterwards, flourishing in the house of the Lord, like a cedar of Lebanon, he who was born a little one would breathe forth virtues.

⁹ The parents of the child, enriched with a noble offspring and very religious, carried the newborn child to the Church, that by divine grace, being washed in the stream of baptism, he might be cleansed from original sin and, if there were any, from actual sin as well.

¹⁰ Thus the blessed child, having received in baptism the seal of the Trinity, was marked with the name which the holy prelate Patrick, foreknowing his birth, had long before foretold, when he was not yet born.

¹¹ When therefore the child was weaned, he advanced continually both in age and in grace, according to the prophecies concerning him. Nor did he give less laughter and joy to his parents or faithful friends, the author of all good things, in the birth of this son, than once to barren Sarah or to Abraham already old, because of the little one born to them. Indeed, their joys are in every way to be compared: for although from a virgin, who came forth from that seed by the will of God, the Saviour willed to be born, yet this man did not cease, by how great a power he prevailed, to bring forth the very Son of God in the hearts of the faithful.

¹² Hence Paul the Apostle says to his hearers: “You are my sons through the faith of the Gospel; for while I instructed you, through the Gospel I begot you in Christ”. He therefore began, from his body, to grow also in faith; and together with countless benefits of virtues, which God had given him, he was already familiar with, and devoted to, wholesome abstinence even in his very childhood.

¹³ On a certain day, early in the morning, the holy boy saw his own mother eating before the proper time; he began to reprove her, saying: “The Almighty has appointed a fixed time for eating, and likewise a fixed time for abstinence, surely willing to refresh all at the fitting moment.”

¹⁴ At the same time, setting out to live as pilgrims, and entrusting themselves to another place, the boy’s parents changed their dwelling, taking the little child with them. And when they came to the place where they were henceforth to settle, the parents and household began to build structures and to prepare more diligently whatever was suitable for use.

¹⁵ But while all were occupied in constructing the walls, the venerable Senanus offered almost no assistance in the other labours, either because of lack of strength, or because he then lingered more attentively in prayers, by which he did not cease to invoke God continually. Then the boy’s mother began to be vehemently indignant, because, while they laboured, the little child scarcely helped them. And being reproved by her with harsh words, the venerable boy went away in confusion, and weeping sought God, that He Himself would grant him His accustomed help.

¹⁶ There was no delay, when behold, God was present: and at that very moment there were brought through the air various utensils from another village. Since these were suitable for the parents’ different uses, she immediately fell silent, and returned to her son; and together they gave thanks for these deeds so happily accomplished.

¹⁷ At another time, with his mother and household, he came to a certain stronghold, in which they wished to remain. But inhuman men, unworthy to receive these guests with hospitality, with anger and punishment expelled them as quickly as possible from their dwellings.

¹⁸ And the mother of the little child immediately began to be worn down by an incredible sadness, so great that she almost failed in body from grief over the injury that had been done. Whereupon the most pious boy, inwardly moved with compassion for his mother, insofar as he was able, soon strove to console her, saying that the Lord is the avenger of all evils that are committed without cause, and of those who commit themselves to Him. That word was followed by a blow which overthrew alike beasts and men, and whatever noble things there were, even the very walls of the city from their foundations; and thus the place disappeared, so that nothing at all remained of the entire furnishing. Therefore, with all the beasts and men submerged, and even the buildings destroyed without any respite because of the injury done to the saints, the memory of these things was erased.

¹⁹ I judge this to be similar to what happened under Moses and Aaron, when Korah, Dathan, and Abiram were swallowed up with a great part of the people and all their possessions. Nor is it unlike what was done under Joshua, leader of the Israelites, at the walls of the city of Jericho, which no human hand struck with engines of war, but which God overthrew by the power by which He willed. For when the trumpets sounded, the way stood open for those entering, an entrance made by going around; and when they made the assault, they entered without any obstacle, the people having been destroyed.

²⁰ Meanwhile a boy went with his mother to the shores of the sea, wishing to cross to another place, and sought a ship. When none was found, the little one at once implored God that, according to His accustomed manner, He would grant him passage. He whose power founded the world upon the seas graciously came to the aid of the praying child—whose simple little breast was already full of faith in Him who had been invoked—and, having lifted him up, placed him on the other side together with his mother and household.

²¹ These things too are to be compared with other miracles which are known to have been done by God in earlier times, when under the aforesaid Israelite leaders, all struck with fear of the enemy, the Red Sea was made passable; except that that people toiled onward on foot, whereas the illustrious boy was suddenly transferred by the work of Your right hand. These are Your works, O Wisdom of the Father. To You be honour and glory for these things and for others like them, You who works wonders.

²² Now, having already passed through the tender time of childhood, he preserved his heart with all vigilance in adolescence, knowing surely from this that life proceeds onward. He avoided whatever was harmful on that slippery path in which every kind of man, according to Father Jerome, even if he has escaped a fall, knows that he can still slip.

²³ From the temple he is brought before the king’s gaze by his parents, although unwilling. He struggles against it in vain, and is soon bound by the royal oath of military service. Nor did the grace of such great innocence allow the man to be abandoned in war whom it had preserved in peace. For in military service itself, with the greatest diligence he carried out this duty: that whatever belonged to Caesar he willingly rendered to him, and that he rendered to God what was His own. And thus he showed himself immune from the stain of crimes by which men of that sort are accustomed to entangle themselves.

²⁴ In those times, therefore, the king declared war upon the enemies, and having gathered his forces, he equipped them with arms and instructions, as is the custom of kings, with great diligence. Now in this army, Senanus, a soldier in outward appearance but already a monk in mind, went forth to meet the enemy.

²⁵ At length, when battle was joined, by the just judgment of God the king, greatly terrified, turned his back and fled from the enemy. But from the entire host, the only one who was immune from death or danger was he who could escape by flight. Therefore, leaving behind his companions—some slain, others wounded—Senanus took flight and came to a certain fortress. There he sat down beside a heap of wheat. Those who had immediately pursued him—who by God’s will had been victorious in the battle—were seeking those who had fled.

²⁶ They saw from afar the heap entirely aflame with fire; but the fire which appeared only shone and did not harm, nor did it consume, but merely glittered, as it was seen to happen in that ancient bush in which Moses, when he was in the desert, heard from the Lord—when he was sent to liberate the sons of Israel and to scatter the Egyptians—all that afterward came to pass. But this befell Senanus perhaps because it was fitting that he himself should show the way of the true Light to many who sat in darkness, bound in the house of prison.

²⁷ They therefore approached more closely, wishing to know more certainly what these great works were, by which their inward senses were confounded—what kind of miracle this was, by which their eyes were struck, what sort of fire it was by which the wheat was not burned. And when the soldiers carefully examined the heap on every side, there was indeed the appearance of fire; but they marveled exceedingly at a fire that did not burn.

²⁸ For sitting in the midst of the fire was found Senanus, the servant of God, who had come there in fear. And when they led him out and asked who he was, although he feared death, he nevertheless refused to lie, but preferred to meet death rather than speak falsely. For he said that he was a recruit in the royal military service, and that out of fear of the enemy he had fled there.

²⁹ But when the soldiers saw that the face of the holy man shone like that of an angel, and were struck with terror by the novelty of the true miracle, they thus spared the soldier. Having been dismissed by the enemy, this faithful servant of Christ went to the house of a banquet which was being prepared for the prince.

³⁰ And when the servants were awaiting the prince, who was shortly to arrive, and the royal banquet had been prepared, he asked—as befits one who is poor, needy, and humble—that they receive him as a guest for the sake of the divine command. Immediately he was repulsed from the royal house with insult, and, to increase his misery, he was impiously struck with a fist. But he gave thanks to God until the father of the household arrived in the evening, at the appointed hour of supper.

³¹ Finally, when the aforesaid prince arrived home, the banquet was set forth: the table was laid with bread, and then by the servants the dishes were brought out, of which, as I said, there was a varied and abundant supply. But behold—all the vessels were found empty, so that scarcely anything remained in any of them, and what little there was served rather to punish the servants than to feed the prince.

³² For as many of the servants as tasted of the dishes, all alike at once began to go solemnly out of their senses. When there was this lack of food and the raging frenzy of those servants, the prince, inwardly admonished by the prompting of the Holy Spirit, began to inquire anxiously whether at that time any pilgrim there had suffered an injury, or whether any poor person had asked for lodging in vain. To this the servants replied, “Our sins demand it (for we are compelled to confess): this evil which we have endured has come upon us because a poor man arrived today asking to be received in God’s name as a guest; we drove him away at once and made him depart, giving him a blow instead of a gift.” Then the most pious prince said to them, “Go at once, and hurry to search for him; when you find him, bring him back, and whether he wishes it or not, let him return, so that he may pardon us, and thus gladly feast together with us.” Obeying the command, they went out to look for him; they found the one sought, and, having found him, they brought him back with them to the banquet in accordance with the duke’s order.

³³ But he, now honourably brought back, with a humble prayer granting to the guilty an abundance of food at the tables and forgiveness, was thus at last admitted to the banquet with full joy. Moreover, the duke of the people, on account of the power of the miracle, at once offered to the holy man, to possess in perpetuity, that very estate in which the prodigy had occurred; the boundary of which even today extends in these regions only so far as the lands of the distinguished bishop and confessor. While he was still living in this world, the Father of lights accomplished through him many great deeds and wonders like these.

³⁴ But when the miracles had been acknowledged, which he wrought by the divine Spirit in secular dress before the eyes of many, if anyone should wish to know what his manner of life was like after his conversion, the following reading declares it. For the man, of excellent disposition, perceiving that he had found grace in the eyes of the Creator and feeling that by such efficacy of miracles he was already making progress, lest he should be ungrateful for so great and so outstanding a grace, had this purpose: that, changing his worldly habit, he would devote himself to the service of Christ in a monastery.

³⁵ Therefore, bidding farewell to all friends and relatives, he came to Saint Cassidus, so that he might receive from him the habit of holiness and live in security, panting after nothing else except heavenly things alone. And Cassidus, the man of God, when he had more carefully discerned that the spirit was from God, gave him the habit of holiness, kept him with himself, and imbued him with the disciplines that are altogether necessary for monastic life. Through whose diligence he so quickly attained a knowledge of letters that nothing escaped his keen intellect, whether of letters or of the arts which the masters of the Church or of secular learning impart to their hearers. For he was a teacher of the choir, by whose instruction you would believe that from the treasury of his heart new things and old were brought forth, after their appointed times, into the ears of the hearers according to his ability. And since charity built up such great knowledge, which might otherwise generate boasting, and humility seasoned it, all that he had read or perceived by hearing he strove at all times to fulfil in deed, so that, while preaching to the faithful, he himself might not be rejected.

³⁶ Therefore, in a vision this was commanded to the abbot—namely, to Abbot Cassidus this was ordered by the Lord—that he should send the young novice Senanus to the distinguished abbot named Natalis, so that under his governance he might be more fully instructed in disciplines and practices.

³⁷ For at that time the fame of Natalis was renowned, since a great congregation dwelt in his community, namely fifty and even a hundred brothers. But when Senanus learned that God had ordered him to be sent to another place, he thought it a grievous loss, whether to leave such an abbot or the place which he had chosen. Yet a greater sadness arose in his heart from the abbot’s absence; nevertheless he set out and did not delay to obey, while he recalled that obedience is better than the victim of a whole burnt offering.

³⁸ Natalis indeed, on his arrival, honourably received this novice into his community, already full of the Spirit of God, although rough in outward habit. Under whose instruction, with what zeal for piety, with how great obedience, and with what perseverance in virtues, by God’s gift he shone forth, cannot be adequately explained by eloquent speakers, much less by us who are unskilled. He, when by his father’s command he had been made guardian of the flocks, on a certain day, while he was applying himself more intently to prayers, saw calves already pressing upon their mothers’ udders; whom the most faithful shepherd, in order to preserve the milk for the brothers, interrupting the prayer he had begun, separated from one another. For, fixing his staff as a sign or barrier, he again applied himself to prayer; nor were they able for the whole remainder of that day to come together again, separated from one another by the staff of the man of God.

³⁹ From this deed he also obtained his name, being called by all “the staff of division”; and even today it is held in honour by the inhabitants, and through the merits of Senanus the customary acts of the Almighty’s grace are performed in it through many benefits. Likewise, at the same time, Senanus humbly fulfilled the ministry of grinding entrusted to him by his teacher Natalis, devoted day and night alike to hymns, prayers, and psalmody.

⁴⁰ But when the prior wondered that Senanus, according to his usual custom, especially during the night, did not ask for candles as the others did, even though each in his turn was bound to carry out the work of the same ministry, a messenger sent by him looked inside carelessly through the window of the little building and saw the fingers of this worshipper of Christ on his left hand shining like light; and he saw him at night standing, praying, grinding, and using these lights in all these tasks, and a certain man, beautiful in body and stature, standing beside him.

⁴¹ But when Senanus learned this, he said at once to the brother: “Because you have seen unlawful things, you will be punished with the penalty due, and you who have seen these things will soon suffer the loss of your eye; for you will be struck blind by a crane when you enter the cloister.” After this sad exchange, when he returned to the prior, a crane which had been there, just as Senanus had foretold, made an attack on him and tore out his eye. And immediately, when the prior—by whom the messenger had been sent to investigate—learned what had happened, he came running with an outcry, and the brother explained to him both what he had seen at the mill and what Senanus had said.

⁴² At once they fell at the feet of Father Natalis, confessing what they had done and what they had received for the deed, begging that he would come to their aid and that the sight might be restored. But Natalis, hearing these things, rebuked them, saying: “Why have you, of little faith, tempted the holy one of God? Go together to him, humbly entreating that, in God’s holy name, he may restore the one deprived of light.” They went to Senanus and confessed that they had sinned, saying: “We have acted foolishly, we have done wrong, but we come repentant; forgive what we have sinned, pardon this offence as befits a servant of God; listen to the command of the father, grant us help: Natalis wishes that you restore the eye torn out to the blind man.”

⁴³ Then, at the prayers of the monks and by the father’s command, Senanus took the eye, placed it back in its former position, and, signing the brother’s face, restored him whole. At the same time Conmacus, Cyrillus, and Hilarius, three brothers equal in deed, were accustomed to commit raids and, under the silence of night, to enter for theft.

⁴⁴ And when they were going toward the mill, so that by force they might seize the grain, standing outside they watched what work was being done within. And through a small door they saw the servant of God writing, sitting alone, with no other present; but they also saw a most beautiful young man standing nearby the mill. As soon as they saw him, they remained bound and fixed in place, unable to move, keeping watch the whole night.

⁴⁵ But at first light, when the angel was now departing, and when they felt themselves released, they entered the mill and found Senanus alone there. They said to him, “Where is that young man who was with you? Tell us, whom we saw standing beside you during the night.” The servant of God replied, “He was an angel,” he said, “in my company for the whole space of the night.”

⁴⁶ Hearing these things, they entered the dwelling and at the same time recalled how they themselves had remained fixed and immobile the whole night before the doors; immediately, pierced in their hearts, they cast their weapons far away, fell at the feet of the saint, confessed their treachery, and begged for forgiveness. And they promised to cling to the holy man henceforth, if only through his prayers they might be freed and released from the bonds of their sins.

⁴⁷ He, greatly rejoicing, blessed the Lord, and at once taking up those three robbers, went to Father Natalis; he explained who they were, did not keep silent about what they had been, and made known why they had come. For they had resolved in a holy purpose to serve the Lord under his guidance for the rest of their lives. Natalis too rejoiced and gave great thanks. Each of them laid aside his hair and put on a new habit. The father immediately instructed them in the monastic order; and in the monastic life, like columns in a building, in faith and in work they began so to excel that they offered the others an example of good conduct.

⁴⁸ Thus, after three brothers had been snatched from the jaws of hell, Christ worked a great miracle through His servant, for to His strong and mighty power nothing is impossible. Now Abbot Natalus, having Senanus as his companion, happened at a certain time to set out on a journey; and when he came to a place whose name is Ceallaraacht, the duke of the province met him with a train of attendants, who were carrying his son, whom they declared to be dead.

⁴⁹ The prince, recognising the most renowned abbot, greeted him honourably and rejoiced greatly, hoping that by his help life might be restored to his son. And immediately bringing forward the dead body, he adjured him, saying: “I beg you, father, by the Father and the Son and also by the Holy Spirit, help us; call upon the Three and the One, and by your accustomed power restore my son to life.”

⁵⁰ When he had finished these words, the abbot, bearing with difficulty what had been said, gave this reply: “Why do you wish to burden our shoulders with loads which we cannot carry? For know without any doubt that it has been granted by the Lord to the Apostles alone to raise the dead. Since, therefore, in strength, faith, and manner of life we are far inferior to such great fathers, neither ask nor command what we freely confess that we cannot grant.”

⁵¹ Thus repulsed, the prince begged more earnestly, and the people implored Natalus, the servant of God, to raise the little child, saying to him with tears: “Father, why do you delay the time, since you are commanded to give freely what you have received freely? For God, as Scripture says, comforts believers through all his servants, not through the apostles alone; and with him there is no favouritism, but in every nation anyone who practices justice is acceptable to the Most High and receives his grace. Even if this power is possible only for the Apostles, surely all the people know that you too are an Apostle, whose conversation is in heaven with the angels”.

⁵² He could not resist such great prayers any longer, and, conceiving confidence not in his own merits but rather in the virtues of Senanus, he addressed them, saying: “Go and bring the dead man here to Senanus the monk, that at last through his merits you may obtain what you seek.”

⁵³ When he heard his name, he said: “Who is he, Lord, and what kind of man is he, or how great are that man’s merits, that he can obtain what our faith asks?” “He is our monk,” he said, “endowed with great virtue, to whom, as we believe, the Most High will not deny this.”

⁵⁴ Therefore the body of the dead man is placed before Senanus; the father and the people are present, beseeching the servant of God with importunate cries that he would pray for the dead man. But he, strongly resisting, began to drive them back, declaring himself unfit to raise the dead. They, on the contrary, oppose strong arguments to the one resisting: “The abbot has commanded this,” they say; “the love of Christ demands this; the grieving father asks this; by what reasoning can you refuse to grant what is sought?” You might see the renowned man now placed in uncertainty, since he did not know what to do or to which side he should turn. He could not refuse, because Natalus had commanded it, since not to comply with one unwilling would be the crime of disobedience; yet to comply, he judged that to presume so much upon the gifts of God was not his due, the man of God thinking himself unworthy.

⁵⁵ But bound by the firm command of the abbot, and also Knowing and recalling what Christ promised, saying: “Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you will receive it”; and again, “If anyone should say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and should believe in his heart, it shall be done, whatever he says”, having these things, I say, and others like them then in mind, full of faith and therefore trusting in the Lord, he poured forth such a prayer in the sight of the Most High:

⁵⁶ “Our Father, who are acknowledged as dwelling in the heavens, hallowed be your name among all; and may every people know that you alone are Lord, Father and shaper of mankind. For the praise of your name, restore to this little body the spirit which you have taken away.” He spoke, and more swiftly than the word itself: the boy who had been thought dead received back his soul and his former soundness, and he whom they had carried out lifeless was borne back alive and unharmed.

⁵⁷ While these things were taking place, Dubac, the powerful king of the province, hearing that from the same island a beast had been driven away, and that the shepherd of the Church wished to remain there, was moved with anger in his spirit and ordered them to be expelled. For the king, greedy for what belonged to others, resolved to claim for his own uses the place which the man of God had obtained. Now the bishop had two brothers, soldiers by birth, who were standing in the king’s service in the palace. The king had commanded them to warn Senanus that he should no longer build there with his companions. Moreover, he had threatened them, with as much terror as he could, that unless the matter were left unfinished, they would lose both the benefits of their house and his favour, together with their companions. Driven on at once by hope and by fear, they quickly come to the man of God and report to him the words of the king.

⁵⁸ The blessed prelate at last resists in a godly manner, declaring that the place had been assigned to his rightful claim by an Angel. For he addresses them in words such as these, and like them: “I fear neither you nor the king, nor shall I withdraw from this place on his account; but here, with Christ favourable, I shall complete my course.”

⁵⁹ The brothers rage against their brother and begin to harass him, so that he who would not leave of his own will might be forced to abandon the place against his will. O how sad a spectacle! The little body, which for a long time had been grievously afflicted by hunger, thirst, and cold, collapses amid the hands of those dragging it.

⁶⁰ Moved by pity after these prolonged torments, one says to the other: “We have sinned against our brother. Evil indeed,” he says, “O brother, evil and plainly inhuman have we acted: evil toward God, and inhuman toward our brother, whom we thus expel from his own dwelling without cause.”

⁶¹ When he had finished these words, he whose mind was sound spoke; but the one whose mind was altogether different followed with words such as these: “It is indeed an evil (I admit it), but the king’s anger is heavier; whom it is better not to offend than not to expel a brother. See therefore what you choose: whether to drive him out, or to perish with him. I shall so advise him, lest I bring harm upon myself.”

⁶² Thus, with discord arising, the other seized his sword, saying: “Whoever harms that man shall either perish with him, or I shall kill him, provided only that I avenge my brother.” As they disputed in this way, you could see more clearly than daylight how different the spirit was in these two brothers. For while one, converted from unbelief by the grace of Christ, persisted with many exhortations, the other remained faithless, who did not believe in Christ, and with his deed lost even his life.

⁶³ When the king heard the sad report of the arrival of the soldiers, neither reverencing God nor showing compassion to men, he heaps up injuries which he had inflicted upon the saints of God. He even orders horses to be led to pasture on the very island, acting in every way so that the bishop might depart. But there is no human counsel against the Lord, nor does any power destroy what God has established.

⁶⁴ For the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the horses which he had sent, and not one remained. But adding sin to sin, the foolish king ordered armed soldiers to be led against unarmed men, and himself went to the island, terrifying the man devoted to Christ. Yet the man of God remained unmoved with his disciples, nor could he be frightened, for he had placed his hope in the Lord. Then the blessed bishop rebuked the king, saying: “You neither fear God nor show reverence to men.”

⁶⁵ The cruel king replied: “Why do you pursue these things,” he said, “when I fear neither you nor God any more than a bald little sheep?” Bearing this with difficulty, the bishop protested to the king, saying: “You who with reckless spirit have likened the Lord to a sheep—may a sheep quickly become the cause of your destruction.”

⁶⁶ Thus, with threats and terrors and with no gentle words at all, the prince, having taken nothing into account, threatened the father with death if he should be found on the island on the following day. These things having been done, he departed, returning by the way he had come; and a flock of sheep came to meet the king and the soldiers.

⁶⁷ Then the flock, making a sudden charge and throwing the host into confusion, separated the king from his men, so that he might make atonement for what he had sinned. And who has heard of such things? A little sheep attacks a king, who, seated on a foaming horse, had given no honour to God—whom that sheep assailed for so long with repeated charges until it cast the king down, and struck him with its horn, piercing his neck, because he had threatened Senanus with a sentence of death in arrogant presumption.

⁶⁸ By such an end therefore, just as the pious bishop had foretold with prophetic spirit, the king—having an unrepentant heart—departed deprived of pardon on account of the crime of blasphemy. Thus, in his attempts, the enemy of Christ, the devil, was overcome and succumbed to him against whom he had raised his head, twice tempting the bishop, through the beast and through the prince.

⁶⁹ Meanwhile Kieran and Brendan also arrive, warned by an angelic oracle, so that they might confess humbly to the saint the causes of all their faults. Having been honourably received by the bishop, and having confessed all their failings, the keeper of the cellar reports that nothing remains with which either the brethren or the guests or the poor might be fed. “Nothing,” says the bishop, “is lacking to those who fear God; therefore hope in the Lord and be of good courage, for the Lord will give sustenance to us and to the brethren.”

⁷⁰ Meanwhile, a certain prince, divinely admonished, brings in a cargo ship to the cell of the man of God on the island of Beilua, bearing necessities for the saints. When the bishop perceived that he had come for this reason, he went out to meet him together with the aforesaid guests; he received the provisions and gave abundant thanks. And, filled with the prophetic spirit, he immediately foretold to him that by the will of the Lord a province would be given to him and to his offspring, that he might rule over it.

⁷¹ And so, when the prince had been dismissed by the blessed bishop, at the hour of the meal the Father sat down together with the aforesaid servants of God and together received the gifts of God. And behold, a small little bell fell from heaven; yet it was not known to whom it had been sent. For the disciples did not attribute this to the bishop, but within the holy company much discussion arose as to whom the bell had been chiefly transmitted, since in this matter each group preferred its own master.

⁷² When the bishop heard this, he settled the dispute. “Rise,” he said, “all of you, and whomever the sounding bell shall follow, he shall receive it by this right.” Each one rose and went forward, but it followed only one alone; and by following him it indicated that it had been sent to him. When the gift had been assigned, and the bond of peace confirmed, they greeted the bishop and separated from one another; and so they hastened back to their own places, those who had come by the will of God, greatly edified by their mutual conversation.

⁷³ But the faithful bishop always went on advancing, progressing from virtue to virtue, exalted unto salvation. Nor do I think it should be passed over in silence that the most holy virgin, Kynnera, dedicated to God, saw with the eyes of the heart a vision of the state of so great a prelate and of his monastery, of this kind.

⁷⁴ One night, while she was praying more attentively to God, she was caught up in the spirit and saw with the inner sight of her mind all the monasteries that were throughout Ireland. And she saw with clear eyes fiery columns flashing forth from the summit of each, reaching to heaven; and as she looked, she saw besides that the brightest of the columns illumined most splendidly the renowned monastery of Senanus. And after she had seen these things, while she was awake, one from heaven stood by, who explained to the virgin: “The souls of the saints,” he said, “which are indeed the columns, therefore appear fiery because they are fervent with love. But the greatest of the columns is the greater grace of Christ, which shines more abundantly in the brethren of Senanus.”

⁷⁵ The virgin rejoices, the wondrous vision having been explained, and, delighted with desire for the place, she continually beseeches God in devotion, that He might transfer her there, so that she might deserve the fellowship of those dwelling there. Indeed, impatient of delay, on the following day she came and stood on the shore of the lake, but was unable to cross.

⁷⁶ And behold, an angel was present, who at once lifted up the woman devoted to God and carried her across to the island. To whom the bishop said: “What has a woman in common with monks? Neither you nor any other shall we admit into the island.”

⁷⁷ Then she said to the bishop: “If you believe that my spirit is able to receive Christ, why do you reject me in body?” “I believe this most fully,” he said; “I believe this most fully. But we have never granted entrance here to any woman. May the Lord keep you safe. Return again to the world, lest you be a scandal to us; and if you are chaste in heart, you still have your sex in the body.”

⁷⁸ “I hope in the Lord,” she said, “that He will sooner cast my spirit out of this flesh than make me return.” Without delay she gave back her spirit and closed her final day; by the brethren her funeral rites were celebrated in an unusual manner. Thus the Lord fulfilled both by the prayers of the holy father: both what the virgin had said and what the saint had foreknown.

⁷⁹ On another occasion moreover, when Senanus himself was dwelling on the neighboring island together with two abbots—namely Fecheanus and Lacteanus—being himself the third, the leader of the province came, wishing to expel them. With armed men carrying swords and clubs, not without insult, he orders these men to be driven from the island. They rage against the saints, they hurl stones and weapons, but no one is able to harm those whom God wills to defend.

⁸⁰ The saints of God stand unharmed, having the shield of faith; on whose behalf (as the event shows) the very earth bears witness. For gaping open within its own depths, the earth swallowed the leader up to the thighs, nor did it wish thus to cease. Therefore the body sinks into the earth up to the chest, so that whoever might resist God might learn where such resistance tends.

⁸¹ Seeing this, a certain young man, who was the duke’s stepson, prostrated at the feet of the saints and with many prayers begged that mercy be shown to the man about to perish and that he be restored from the earth; and he immediately promised that the island, from which the duke had previously ordered the saint to be expelled, would be handed over to his rightful authority.

⁸² To him the bishop said: “Because you have become the first messenger of the peace we desire, you shall now receive what you ask.” The earth indeed gave the man back, but he shall perish shortly, and you with your offspring shall be in his rank. Having said this, he freed the duke; and it happened as he had said, for when the duke died, this man succeeded him at once.

⁸³ Meanwhile the religious brethren on the great island implore the grace of the father on account of the lack of water, which they were accustomed to carry daily upon their shoulders, because of the distance, lest the community should fail from thirst. They ask, I say, the bishop that, pouring forth his accustomed prayer—by which nothing was impossible—he might open the vein of a spring.

⁸⁴ Therefore, when prayers had been poured forth, the pious Father prayed for them; and striking the earth with his staff, he brought forth a most sweet spring, which the brethren used abundantly and likewise gave thanks.

⁸⁵ Saint Finanus, a disciple of the holy man, was accustomed to frequent this spring for the sake of obtaining purity of soul and fostering that inner light of everlasting charity. And so, at a certain time, having come according to his custom, he sat thus upon the well, praising the author of all things.

⁸⁶ And behold, a certain woman, carrying a little child worthy of praise, came upon the servant of God, bearing the infant likewise in her arms. For his prayers having been interrupted, the monk bore it ill that the holy water was defiled by the washing of the child. And moved by anger on account of this injury to the spring, he prayed that the little child might be submerged in the waters.

⁸⁷ Immediately, by a marine current—which by God’s will is accustomed to flow there—the infant was seized and carried farther away. When the mother saw from afar, from the shore, that the child was being borne off, she ran swiftly to the bishop, lamenting for her little one. Into the ears of the bishop the grieving mother laid bare the cruel prayer of the monk, who had asked that the child be drowned.

⁸⁸ The bishop, summoning him, commanded him that he should either recover the child, or else himself be submerged. When these words were spoken, the disciple ran forth, showed his feet, and delivered himself to the danger, guiding his steps with the staff.

⁸⁹ He also measures with the staff how great the depth of the sea might be, wishing to go forward only so far as the water would rise to his chest. Hence, on every side, this was his anxious intent: that he should not enter deeper than the staff would indicate. Step by step therefore he enters up to the chest, and—wonderful to tell—as if upon an immovable rock, the sea stands beneath his feet, though it was much deeper.

⁹⁰ And so, amid the very waves, the blind man struck with his feet not only a child already thought dead, but a playful little one. Lifting him up at once, he carried him to the most loving Father, so that he might restore him to his mother and that she might be spared her fear.

⁹¹ But the disciple referred this miracle to the master, while the master rather referred it to the disciple. So humble was each in his own eyes, that when he saw this done, each deferred it to the other.

⁹² At another time thereafter, when the most holy Kieran was resting on the shore, it was reported to the bishop that his inseparable companion and constant associate was present with his disciples, sitting on the bank of the river. He rejoiced, and quickly ordering a servant to be present, he said: “Take the little boat and carry this servant of Christ across.”

⁹³ When the bishop heard that there was no other vessel except a wicker skiff, and that it was not fit for use, he said: “Even this enter, that you may be able to carry across the man of God who has long been waiting on the riverbank.” The skiff therefore was entered, and it glided along safely, for as the teacher was, so also was the disciple.

⁹⁴ When Kieran saw him from afar, he said to his companions: “The holy man of the Lord is testing us, to see whether we dare to go aboard. Let us trust in God’s name, relying on his prayer, and enter the boat. Let us therefore go aboard: for Christ indeed has power to preserve us in this little vessel through his merits.”

⁹⁵ Having gone aboard, they sailed on prosperously; the boat with its oars extended lay open, and no wave was poured into it. When he was thus received by the brethren, he at once ordered that a cloak of skins be given to Saint Kieran, because he knew through the Spirit that he had already spent his own garment in almsgiving. Then, leading him by the hand into the oratory, and after these and similar services of charity, he at last refreshed him with food together with the brethren, more generously.

⁹⁶ At that same time, the uncle of Saint Senan was sailing on the open sea with very many companions. When they approached a rock, they went ashore in order to rest a little; meanwhile he remained behind and secured the ship with an anchor. The ship, once moored, broke loose; a man swimming pursued it and quickly brought it back, though his companions had already perished. For the tide of the sea had swallowed up those who had gone ashore; but he found the bodies of the dead lying there. Weeping and lamenting, and burning with great grief, he carried them to other places suitable for burial; commending their souls to God, he celebrated their funeral rites.

⁹⁷ Scarcely had he buried them when, behold, friends were present, among whom was also Saint Senan, the holy Father. All and each rejoiced at the coming of the bishop; all begged him, and especially the one who was related by blood, that he would restore to life by his prayers those who had been suffocated by the waves. For the bishop knew so well, as the Apostle admonishes, to rejoice with those who rejoice and to suffer with those who suffer; deeming not his own advantage, but the salvation of all.

⁹⁸ And in a wondrous manner, as he immediately wept with those who wept, the bishop’s tears became the cause of common joy. For the man full of God implored the power of God—to whom all things are easy and by whom all things are given life—that for the faith of the living He might restore life to all. While he prayed, countless bodies rose again, and, their spirits having been received, they spoke openly to all. For those souls, who now were already enjoying rest, asked through the grace of God for permission to return, crying out once and twice and a third time to the bishop: “Release us, father, we beseech you, to where we were before, so that we may be able to return joyfully into the house of the Lord.”

⁹⁹ On account of the merit of the holy man, soon giving up their spirit, by his permission they again rested in the Lord. Nor shall I pass over what also comes to mind: a deed of another man’s power, favouring his virtues.

¹⁰⁰ For there was a venerable man who was always of one mind with Saint Senan as his companion, whose name was Dermitius, whose cell was built on the island of Clothrana. And the cells of both are encircled by a river, upon which Senan sent to Dermitius, besides a little boat, a chasuble, which the river carried of itself farther along without being wetted. Senan the archbishop received it gratefully, and immediately sent back to Dermitius three stones of salt in a manner more wonderful still, when he entrusted them to the river and caused them to strive upward against the current of the stream.

¹⁰¹ Afterwards, at the instigation of the Devil, diviners were labouring to draw the man of God away from the worship of the true faith by many phantasms. While they often wearied him, the man, though fiercely attacked, resisted manfully. For, the air being stirred up by the work of the malignant enemy, the magicians caused rain to fall by empty deception. And from these men this proposal was also made to the most pious father: if he had any confidence in the grace of Christ, he should by His power prevent this rain. When he had applied himself somewhat more earnestly to prayers, he restrained the false rain and brought down the true.

¹⁰² But nevertheless, relying on their enchantments and other portents, they dared to enter into contention with the defender of the faith. For by their arts they made themselves scarcely appear in any place; nor even thus did they prevail. For while they were making these assaults, the bishop stood fearless, indeed using his accustomed power, and truth being laid bare he quickly caused the empty appearance to vanish from the face of the earth.

¹⁰³ Moreover, by such a deed wrought by the finger of God, being convicted in every way beyond their own powers, the witches dared to presume nothing further; they hastened to flee, and having returned to their boat were drowned in the river. Behold, just as the Egyptian magicians, when they resisted Moses, were suddenly so punished that they could no longer stand in attendance on the king as before, being struck with a grievous wound, so these sorcerers, resisting the pontiff, utterly perished, suffocated in the waves.

¹⁰⁴ But just as the first disciples of the Apostles of truth, after Simon the Magician was destroyed, were themselves brought to an end under Nero, so the most pious bishop, the arts of the magicians having been overcome, in this manner entered into the rest of paradise after his labour. When the Lord had decreed to give him, together with all the saints, an inheritance in the everlasting fatherland, he went to a spring of living water, which he first brought forth there by his prayer, while an angel was digging the trench.

¹⁰⁵ Therefore, in that same place he recognized—having been informed by an angel—that the illustrious David, bishop of Menevensis, had departed, to whom, while he lived, his spirit had been closely united, as we have said. And a wondrous thing occurred, as Senan came to know this: for, as they had agreed between themselves while both were living, they were unwilling that one should live on if his colleague were not surviving; and thus he was at once stripped of the flesh, as one who is released by sleep.

¹⁰⁶ His body was carried back to his cell on the island, where, with worthy watchings—amid psalmody and vigils, with divine offices and the solemn celebration of Masses—it was kept unburied until the eighth day, so that the abbots who were his fellow-bishops, and the others who were in the surrounding region, grieving over his sorrowful death, might be able to gather together to commit earth to earth.

¹⁰⁷ King Solomon, as we read, when everything needed for building the temple had already been completed, gathered a very great multitude on the eighth day, so that he might finish the ceremonies with full joy. In no lesser joy did the pious shepherd, now joined to the living God, rejoice in the Lord, celebrating the eighth day among his flocks.

¹⁰⁸ For who could say how great a crowd had come together when the little body of the departed was being borne to the tomb? When behold, upon the bier the body regained its spirit, and the bishop who was being carried as dead sat up. Having at once greeted all with words of salvation, he set forth certain secret matters which the people of the Scots recount, concerning that great and wondrous day of judgment, on which those who are chosen by God shall rise incorrupt.

¹⁰⁹ Then the elders who were present asked the one restored to life whether he wished his yearly memorial henceforth to be celebrated on the day of his death, or rather on the eighth day. “On the octave,” he said, “shall my memorial be made, on which, having risen, I am again to return to the tomb. Hold to this, observe this, celebrate this yearly; farewell, blessing the Lord forever.”

¹¹⁰ And when they replied, “Blessed in all things is Christ, the maker of all; farewell, blessed pontiff; be mindful of us henceforth before the most high God,” he gave himself back, lifeless, to be resolved into dust. You might have seen, after his death, sorrow mingled with joy: amid words of gladness tears flowed forth abundantly. O how pious it was to accompany Senan with mourning to the tomb, and soon after to follow him with a voice of joy even unto heaven!

¹¹¹ Thus at last he was laid to rest, and his blessed spirit was received by the angels, while his body shines forth with miracles on earth, in every place or time in which mention of him is made, Christ God being propitious—He who through the merits of this man even now, with His accustomed power, works miracles without number through endless ages.

¹¹² Amen.