Att text: Vita Sancti Coemgeni is traditionally attributed to a monk from Glendalough called Solomon/Solam (Baert, 1630). However, modern scholarship treats the ascription to “Solomon” as a later hagiographical tradition rather than verifiable historical fact (Mac Shamhráin, 2011; Ó Riain-Raedel, 2011). Nonetheless, the author can be reasonably inferred to have been a monk of Glendalough writing in Latin, based on the text’s intimate knowledge of local topography, monastic customs, and political milieu.

Baert, F. (1630) Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae, Antwerp: Plantin Press.
Mac Shamhráin, A. S. (2011) ‘The Political and Dynastic Context of the Vita Sancti Coemgeni’, in Ó Riain-Raedel, D. (ed.) Glendalough: City of God. Dublin: Four Courts Press, pp. 160–168.
Ó Riain-Raedel, D. (2011) ‘Manuscript Transmission of the Vita Sancti Coemgeni’, in Ó Riain-Raedel, D. (ed.) Glendalough: City of God. Dublin: Four Courts Press, pp. 25–28.

¹ Here begins the Life of Saint Coemgen, Bishop and Confessor.

² There was a man in the province of the Laigin, which is the fifth part of Ireland, in a district namely called Dal Machscorb, which is in the eastern region of the Laigin along the shores of the sea. His name was Coemhlogha, a man sufficiently faithful and worthy before God, and he had a wife named Coemhella. And they were both just before God and men [Luke 1:6].

³ On a certain night an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to that woman, saying to her: “Blessed are you, woman; you shall bear a son, and you shall call his name Coemgen, who shall be beloved of God and men. And he shall be the father of many monks, and in his place there shall be great grace of the Holy Spirit. And after he has been born, he shall be led immediately to baptism.” And immediately, when he was born, just as the angel had commanded, he was led to baptism.

⁴ And as they were carrying him along the road, an angel of the Lord met them in the form of a beautiful young man, and he questioned them, saying: “What do you have, or where are you going?” But they answered him: “To a certain holy hermit priest dwelling nearby, that he may baptize the infant whom we are carrying.” Then the angel of the Lord, in the form of a man, breathing upon him, signed him in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and praying, blessed him.

⁵ After this those men came to the holy priest named Cronanus. And he said to them: “What do you seek here?” They answered him: “That you may baptize this infant, father.” And when the holy Cronanus saw the infant, he said: “This holy infant has no need to be rebaptized, because he has been baptized by a man holier and better than I.” And while they were wondering at this word, he said to them: “Did anyone meet you on the road?” And they told him how the same young man blessed the infant and named him Coemgen. And the elder himself said to them: “That was the angel of the Lord who baptized this infant. And just as the angel named him, so shall he always be called, that is, Coemgen,” which in Latin means fair-born; for he himself was most beautiful.

⁶ And the holy elder Cronanus, looking upon the infant full of the grace of God, offered himself to him, saying: “O blessed infant of God, may Almighty God bless you. And I shall be your first monk, and I hand over my place together with all that is mine to you.” And afterward, with the prayer and blessing of Saint Cronanus, Saint Coemgen was brought back to his parents.

⁷ At the birth of the now-saintly Coemgen, by the gift of God, to the house of his parents, for the sake of the grace of the infant, a wondrous white cow came morning and evening, by whose milk the holy little infant Coemgen was nourished for some time. And those people did not know from where she came or where she went by day and by night. But two large vessels of milk were milked from her each day. And after some time, while none of them yet knew it, by the will of God she returned to the place from which she had come. And through this the name of the holy infant was magnified.

⁸ While Saint Coemgen was a boy, he was tending the sheep of his parents together with other shepherds. And on a certain day, while they were in the pastures, poor people came to him, saying: “Have mercy on us, holy boy Coemgen; we have already heard of the fame of your holiness.” Then, in the name of God and in the sight of the others, the pious boy gave them four sheep. Later, when the sheep were counted at home, by the gift of God the number was found to be complete, lest the servant of Christ should be accused on account of the generosity of his charity. And by this miracle Saint Coemgen was strengthened in the love of Christ.

⁹ While the most blessed Coemgen was still living in his parents’ house, many other miracles were worked by God through him, which we do not write here, wishing to arrive more quickly at his perfect age. When the parents of Saint Coemgen saw such great grace in him, they handed him over to the holy elders Eogan, Lochan, and Enna, so that in their cell he might be nurtured for Christ. And among those holy men the blessed Coemgen diligently applied himself to reading.

¹⁰ And as he was growing in the very first bloom of his youth, a certain beautiful young woman saw him working outside in the field with the brothers, and she loved him greatly. For he himself was very beautiful, as we have said before. And she began to make her affection known to him with crafty words. And she always laid snares for him as much as she could, by sight and by speech, and sometimes by means of a messenger. But the holy young man rejected all these things. And from that day onward she sought an opportunity to find him alone.

¹¹ Now on a certain day, while the brothers were working in the forest, she followed after them. And seeing Saint Coemgen working apart, alone in the forest, she approached him, and embracing him with the most seductive clasp of her hands, she begged him with sweet words to lie with her. But the soldier of Christ armed himself with the holy sign, and filled with the Holy Spirit, resisted her bravely, and leaped out of her hands into the forest. And finding a patch of nettles, he wrapped himself naked in them.

¹² And that young woman still pursued him; quickly she put her garments back on, secretly seized a bundle of nettles, and coming to him, the saint struck her with the nettles on her face, on her hands, and on her feet many times. And when she had been torn by the nettles, the passion of her love was extinguished. And pierced in heart, she bent her knees and in the name of God asked forgiveness from Saint Coemgen. And the saint prayed to Christ for her, and then she promised her virginity to God and to Saint Coemgen.

¹³ And when the brothers found them thus speaking together, they were greatly astonished. And the maiden told them what had happened, preserving the modesty of chastity. And when the brothers heard such things, they were strengthened in the love of chastity. But that young woman thereafter became a prudent and holy virgin, who carefully kept the holy counsels of the blessed Coemgen.

¹⁴ One day Saint Coemgenus was ordered to go with a certain brother into the wood near the cell in order to make a fire there for some need of the brethren. That brother was senior to the blessed Coemgenus, and the elder said to him, “Brother Coemgene, carry fire with us into the wood.” The holy man of God forgot to bring fire with him, and when they reached the place where they were to light it, the elder asked where the fire was. Saint Coemgenus confessed that he had forgotten it, and the elder said, “Run quickly, brother, to fetch the fire, and bring it with you.” When blessed Coemgenus asked in what he should carry the fire, the elder angrily replied, “In your bosom.” Saint Coemgenus went to the kitchen and placed a burning brand in his bosom, being full of the Holy Spirit, and truly you ought to have our blessing. Saint Coemgenus said to him, “It would be strange if holy elders were under my rule, a foolish youth; but tell no one of this miracle.” The elder replied, “It is already more fitting that others should be under you than that you should be under others. Truly days will come when we all, and our places, will be under you.”

¹⁵ When that elder told this miracle to the seniors and to all the brothers, Saint Coemgenus was greatly displeased and withdrew far from them into the desert alone. Clear streams flow there from the mountains on every side, and he passed through that valley to its upper part, where there is a lake at its narrow end, between the highest mountain peaks, though the lake itself lies at their roots, stretching from mountain to mountain. That valley was formerly called in Irish Gleand Dé, but now it is called Gleand da Loch, that is, the Valley of the Two Lakes. Saint Coemgenus settled beside the same lake in a hollowed tree and lived there for some time a most austere life, for he rarely went out from that tree, gathering a few vegetables and eating them with a little water, and thus he lived for many days. According to the word of the elder, he carried the fire in his bosom, and when he returned to the place mentioned, he set the fire on the ground from his bosom before the elder, yet his garment remained untouched by the burning fire, as though it had never been placed there. When the elder saw this miracle worked through Saint Coemgenus, he humbly said to him, “O holy youth, I see that you are a shepherd.” Now a certain man, a father of a household called Bi, for some days used to gather his cattle to pasture in the same valley where Saint Coemgenus lived as a hermit. God, wishing to make His servant Coemgenus known to men, caused one cow from that herd to come daily to Saint Coemgenus as he dwelt in his cave, and when she came she diligently licked the saint’s garment. Hearing the lowing of the herd, now satisfied with green grass and waters and returning toward evening, and the shepherds calling the cattle with loud voices, she would quickly run back to the front of the herd, content with her pasture. Each day as the herd descended from the mountain’s slope into that valley, the cow would slip away from the others and come to the man of God, doing every day as she had done on the first. That cow had an astonishing abundance of milk from touching the garment of the man of God, and the herdsmen, amazed at the plentiful streams of milk from her, reported it to their master. He said to the shepherd, “Do you know what has happened to that cow?” When the shepherd said that he did not know, his master said, “Watch her carefully, so that you may know from where she has this grace.”

¹⁶ The next day the shepherd entrusted the herd to younger boys and followed the cow wherever she went. The cow, as usual, went out to the hollow tree in which Saint Coemgenus was, and when the shepherd found her licking the saint’s garment, he was greatly astonished and, driving the cow away, roughly rebuked the man of God in a rustic manner. This displeased Saint Coemgenus, fearing that the man might betray him. Later the rustic drove the cattle back to his home, but when they reached the farmstead, the cows and calves were seized with such madness that, not recognising one another, the mothers wished to kill their calves. Seeing this, the shepherd was afraid and told his master what he had seen in the valley, and by his master’s order he immediately returned to Saint Coemgenus and, bending his knees, begged the man of God to grant him forgiveness. Being adjured by the saint, he promised that henceforth he would not betray him, for the saint did not know that he had already spoken about him to others. Having obtained forgiveness, the man received blessed water from Saint Coemgenus, and when he sprinkled the cows and calves with it, they recognised one another with their usual affection and were at once made gentle. Immediately the fame of Saint Coemgenus was spread throughout the region, and when the same holy elders, namely Eoganus, Lochanus, and Enna, heard that Saint Coemgenus was in that deserted valley, they brought him back from there against his will to their monastery.

¹⁷ One day in autumn those holy elders gathered many reapers in their fields, and meat and ale were prepared for them in abundance. As Saint Coemgen was staying for some time in the kitchen that day, a great crowd of pilgrims came to the door seeking food in the name of Christ. Then the most blessed Coemgen, full of mercy, distributed to them before the cooks all the food that had been prepared for the reapers. Then Saint Eogan ordered that the reapers should come to their meal. When this was reported to Saint Lochan, he came to the kitchen and said to Saint Coemgen, “Good young man, what is this that you have done without our command? For the reapers are many, and they ought justly to have a good meal, because they are doing good work; as for those pilgrims, we would have given them other food.” Hearing this, the holy youth bent his knees and asked forgiveness. When the holy elder went out sadly, blessed Coemgen shut the kitchen upon himself and ordered the servants to gather all the bones and to fill all the vessels of ale with water. Then he sent the cooks outside and prayed humbly to God.

¹⁸ Immediately, by the power of Christ, that water was turned into wine, and all the bones appeared full of meat. Calling the master of the kitchen to himself, he showed him what God had granted him. The cook ran and told the holy elders what had been done through Saint Coemgen, and the holy elders, seeing that wonderful deed, glorified God and blessed their holy disciple, through whom God had worked such a miracle. And that gift made by God sufficed abundantly for the brothers of that place, for the guests, and for the reapers for three days. At another time Saint Coemgen went to a certain holy hermit named Beoan, and stayed with him for several days. That holy man had one cow, and when his servant was occupied one day with another task, he said to blessed Coemgen, “Go, brother, and look after our cow, lest the beasts of the wilderness devour her.” When Saint Coemgen went, he found her giving birth to a calf. Afterwards, wishing to lead her with the calf back to the dwelling, a wolf, wasted with hunger, came to him. Knowing that it was starving, he ordered it to eat the calf that had just been born. Immediately the wolf killed the calf and ate it. Seeing this, the pious mother became very sorrowful and, lowing pitifully, ran to the cell of her master. The man of God, knowing the cause, said to Saint Coemgen, “Son, what have you done? Why have you broken the heart of a poor mother? I command you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to quickly relieve the sorrow of her mind.” Hearing this, Saint Coemgen went to a nearby wood and, by the power of God, called the wolf to himself, and by God’s command it came at once to the saint of the Lord. Blessed Coemgen said to it, “In the name of Jesus Christ my God I tell you to go now, in place of the calf you ate, to that cow, and at every fitting hour of milking each day, until she bears another calf, to come in the same way. For she will love you by the power of God, although it is against nature.” Wonderful to say, after this command the wolf at once ran to the cell and stood before the cow. When the cow saw her, she immediately loved her as a mother loves her only ‘son’. Afterwards, every day at the hour of milking, for as long as the cow had milk from that conception, the wolf came from the wood, and the cow, licking her, gently gave her milk. Seeing this sign, the holy hermit Beoan gave glory to God and diligently blessed Saint Coemgen.

¹⁹ Then Saint Coemgen, having received permission and the blessing of the blessed elder Beoan, went out to Saint Bishop Lugid. Saint Bishop Lugid governed a monastery of monks piously and devoutly, and he gladly received Saint Coemgen among his own. One day a thief stole a ram from the flock of the monastery of Saint Bishop Lugid and ate it. When he was compelled either to make restitution or to swear an oath, Saint Coemgen said to him, “Wretched man, confess what you have done and ask forgiveness, or else boldly proceed to perjury.” But the man, despising the word of the saint, approached the holy signs in order to swear. Immediately, as the thief came to take the oath, the ram cried out loudly, bleating from his mouth. Then all wished to condemn him to death after such a confession, but the saints set him free. Saint Coemgen said to him, “Foolish man, leave this world and save your soul from the sickness of your crimes.” He fulfilled the counsel of the saint and became a worthy penitent in his life.

²⁰ One day Saint Lugidus the bishop sent the blessed Coemgenus into the countryside to a certain man. As Coemgenus, the servant of Christ, was travelling, he found along the road two daughters of the descendants of Dallayn lying slain, having been beheaded. When the man of God saw this wicked deed, he stood there alone so that the human bodies would not be left to birds or dogs. And while the saint prayed to God in that place, the enemies who had committed this crime, their minds thrown into confusion, wandered about and returned to the place of the deed, carrying back with them the heads of those who had been killed. When Saint Coemgenus saw them, he rebuked them with many words for the murder of women. They said: “Because of hatred and vengeance against their parents we did this, for they did many evils to us.” And when the saint asked them for the heads, they laid them upon the ground. Saint Coemgenus then joined the heads to their bodies and prayed for them. And while the saint prayed, before all those present they rose up sound and whole, giving thanks to God. Those men, seeing the great miracle done before them, humbly begged for forgiveness and promised that they would never again commit such wickedness, greatly rejoicing in the life of the girls. The girls, when they returned to their own people, told everyone what had happened to them. And because of this unusual miracle, the name of Saint Coemgenus was widely spread throughout the regions.

²¹ At a certain time, when the most blessed bishop Lugidus was still a young man, he wished to leave Ireland live as a pilgrim in a foreign land. But an angel of the Lord came to him and said: “Do not leave Ireland, for by God’s providence you will ordain many saints there.” By this angelic command Saint Lugidus was restrained and remained in Ireland. And among those saints whom Saint Lugidus ordained was the most blessed Coemgenus. After Saint Lugidus had made Saint Coemgenus a priest, he sent him with certain disciples whom he himself had ordained, to build a cell for God wherever he might find a suitable place. When he came to the place called Cluayn Duach, he built a cell there, in which he remained for some time, gathering servants for Christ.

²² At another time, while Saint Coemgenus was still living in that holy place, a certain layman came to the door of that place. When twelve men, who were his enemies, saw him, they ran after him, wishing to kill him. Seeing them following him, he threw himself to the ground beside the door; at that time it was closed and he could not enter. When the enemies arrived, they perceived nothing there of the man, but only a piece of wood lying crosswise on the ground. They were greatly amazed, because they did not see the door open, nor did they see him go out from there. And they said among themselves: “Where is he? Or where did he go?” Not knowing what to do, some of them sat down upon him, as though upon a piece of wood. Meanwhile the most blessed Coemgenus was inside, alone in the oratory, praying; and it was divinely revealed to him what had happened outside. Going out, he called a certain brother to himself and said to him: “Son, call to me the men who are standing before the doors.” When they came, the holy man said to them: “O wretched men, why did you wish to kill a man before the door of the cell of Coemgenus?” When they heard the name of Saint Coemgenus, and recognised from the grace of his countenance and speech that he himself was the blessed Coemgenus, they fell to the ground, asking forgiveness from the depths of their hearts. Then the servant of Saint Coemgenus said to them: “O fools, go and see the man whom you were seeking, and upon whom you sat, who appeared to you like wood by the power of God through the grace of our abbot.” When those twelve men saw the man sitting there, and when he himself told them the truth of what had happened, they all offered themselves to God and to Saint Coemgenus. The man of God immediately made them monks, and they remained with him devoutly and religiously until their death.

²³ A certain craftsman from the household of Saint Coemgenus was one day sharpening a stone with a small hammer; a fragment split off from the stone and flew out, breaking the craftsman’s eye. This was revealed by God to Saint Coemgenus while he was praying in the oratory, and he immediately went outside to where the injured man was. Seeing his misery, and the brothers grieving over him, he placed his hand upon the eye and prayed for him, sealing the wound in the name of Christ. And at once, there before everyone, the man’s eye was restored to health, free from blood and pain, as though it had never been struck. And he, together with the other brothers, gave thanks to God, glorifying the power of his holy patron.

²⁴ After these and other great signs, the most blessed Coemgenus left that place, namely Cluayn Duach, leaving there faithful Catholic men. He then set out for his homeland with the monks whom he wished to take with him. One day, as Saint Coemgenus was walking alone behind his monks through rough places, he saw a man lying dead a little way off the path. Since the saint was unable to cover him with earth there, because all his disciples were ahead of him, he asked Christ to restore him to life. Immediately the man began to stir; and while the saint was still praying, the one who had been dead rose up alive, blessed the man of God, and gave thanks to God. He then followed Saint Coemgenus, stating that he had suddenly been suffocated there by death. When they reached the brothers, they asked where the unknown man had come from. The man himself then told them that he had been lifeless and that he had been raised by Saint Coemgenus. When the disciples heard this, they gave praise to Christ the Saviour. That man was then made a monk by Saint Coemgenus and remained obedient with him until his death.

²⁵ Then Saint Coemgenus, when he arrived in his homeland, began to live in that solitude, namely in the valley of the two lakes, where he had been a hermit in his youth, where the cow had found him, as we have written. For from the beginning the blessed Coemgenus greatly loved that solitude. In the lower part of the said valley he founded a great monastery, where two clear streams meet. Many people came to him from here and there, and Saint Coemgenus made them monks in that place. Very many monasteries and cells were founded under him throughout the regions of the Laigin, and there was a great multitude of monks in various places under the care of Saint Coemgenus. The most blessed Coemgenus entrusted his monastery and the others to proven men, appointing to each religious his own office. He himself went out from them alone to the upper part of the valley, about one mile from the monastery, and built for himself a small dwelling in a narrow place between the mountain and the lake, where there were dense trees and clear streams. He commanded his monks that they should give him no kind of food, and that no one should come to him except for the gravest reason. And so he lived alone as a hermit in the upper part of that valley among the mountains and the lake, in various places, for four years, in continual fasts and vigils, without fire and without shelter; and it is uncertain whether he sustained his life by the roots of herbs, or by the fruits of trees, or by heavenly nourishment, because he revealed this to no one. But his monks built a bright cell in the wilderness where Saint Coemgenus lived, between the upper lake and the mountain, on the southern side (where there is now a renowned monastery, in which most devout men always live, and which is called in Irish Disert Caimhghin, which in Latin means “the desert of Coemgenus”); and many lived there. And even the wild creatures of the mountains and forests accompanied Saint Coemgenus gently, and drank water from his hands as though tame. After the same time, many saints who gathered together brought him unwillingly from the desert places and made him live with his monks in the said cell. There Saint Coemgenus always wished to live and to pass over to Christ, and even then he lived among the brothers in very strict discipline.

²⁶ One day, while Saint Coemgenus was sitting outside upon a stone, the devil appeared to him with great gentleness, in a most beautiful form, transforming himself into an angel, as it were, of light; and he said to the man of God: “Hail, holy man of God, see I am sent to you by the Lord to give you counsel. You now always endure great labour, and the holy angels praise you before the presence of the Lord, and the Lord, who loves you, commands you to depart from this mountainous valley to a land that will be more habitable for your monks after you.” And when the devil had blessed the holy man of God, immediately after this command he vanished. But Saint Coemgenus, marvelling at his beauty and gentleness, wondered whether he was a demon, and why, if he were an angel of light, he commanded him to leave the place where his life was praised by God and His angels, since God is powerful to prepare good things for His servants everywhere; and he said: “In this valley, God permitting, where my life is praised, whether by an angel or by a demon, I will complete the course of this life.”

²⁷ Afterwards that same Satan, with a troop of demons, appeared beyond Mount Fuayd, in the northern region of Ireland, namely in the land of the Ulstermen, to the holy abbot Comhgall. And Saint Comhgall said to him: “From where have you now come, Satan?” Satan replied: “We have come from the borders of the Laigin, that is, from the valley of the two lakes, where that rigid Coemgenus dwells. In that place, that rustic man with his wretched company has grievously harmed my followers for seven years without ceasing. I myself went out to him last of all and persuaded him to leave his place, but we did not prevail, because his steadfastness surpasses us all. Now I and my company go back empty to our own place, and we wish to report there that our banners have been broken by him. Yet we still wish to tempt him.” Then Saint Comhgall said to him: “Return, Satan, with my monks to Saint Coemgenus, and do not come to him either before them or after them, but together with them; and reveal to him your snares and your deceit against him, in the presence of my monks. This I command you in the name of Christ.” When the monks of Saint Comhgall came to Saint Coemgenus, Satan appeared together with them and related everything to Saint Coemgenus in proper order, just as Saint Comhgall had commanded him. Then Saint Coemgenus gave thanks to God, blessing his friend Comhgall, and commanded the devil to remove his company from that valley forever. Immediately the demons departed from the valley at the command of Saint Coemgenus, howling with a dreadful cry and declaring that they would never again make their dwelling in that valley. After the departure of the demons, the rock from which they had harmed people on every side fell into the lake with a great crash through the prayer of Saint Coemgenus.

²⁸ Saint Coemgenus was accustomed to pray fearlessly in the lake every night for the space of an hour. But a most dreadful beast would come to him from the lake, swimming around his body on every side, yet it did no harm to the saint. The wondrous patience of the man of God endured the assault of the beast in the cold water, as though he saw nothing at all. Seeing the very great patience of His holy servant Coemgenus in the sight of the terrible beast, and his great torment in the cold water, the most merciful God, after a time, sent His angel to help him. For three reasons the angel was sent there by God to Saint Coemgenus: first, that he might live a little more lightly for a short time from his many heavy labours; second, that he might drive away the dreadful beast that troubled the saint; third, that he might warm the coldness of the water. For when the angel of the Lord came, immediately each night the monstrous beast withdrew from the man of God; and with the angel, as it were, sitting in his bosom, the water around him became warm.

²⁹ Within the space of the same seven years, on the northern shore of that lake, Saint Coemgenus built for himself a small oratory of wattle, in order to pray to God there each day. There the saint lived unknown to any man, and he took no human food, as we have said above. Now one day a hunter of the king of the Laigin, Brandubh son of Eathach, of the seed of Enna, from whom the people called Cennselach take their name, who made an innumerable slaughter over a great region of the northern provinces of Ireland in a great battle (and this same Brandubh held the kingship of many regions of Ireland after he had slain in battle the king of Tara and of Aileach, that is, Áed son of Ainmire), while following his dogs pursuing a boar, came into that valley. The boar entered the oratory of Saint Coemgenus, but the dogs did not enter; instead, they lay upon their chests before the door. Saint Coemgenus was there beneath a tree, praying, and many birds stood upon his hands and shoulders and flew about him, singing sweet songs to the man of God. When the hunter saw this, he was amazed and immediately returned with his dogs, letting the boar go free for the sake of the blessing of the holy hermit. The miracles he had seen he reported to the king and to all others. At times even the branches and leaves of the trees sang sweet songs to Saint Coemgenus, so that heavenly melodies might temper his intolerable labour.

³⁰ In the time of Lent, while Saint Coemgenus was in the wilderness, an angel of the Lord came to him for three nights, saying: “This rock, which overhangs the cave in which you dwell, servant of Christ, will soon fall upon this cave; therefore go quickly to another place.” Saint Coemgenus replied: “This narrow cell in which I dwell is dear to me, and I wish to remain it for the time of Lent, unless it displeases my God.” The angel said: “Truly, the hand of almighty God has for many days held back this rock, lest it should kill you.” And having said these things, he departed. Then the blessed Coemgenus said within himself: “Trusting in the Lord my God, Jesus Christ, I will remain here until Easter.” When the holy evening of Easter came, the angel again said to Saint Coemgenus: “Quickly depart from this cave, following me.” Then Saint Coemgenus followed the angel with dry feet across the lake. After the saint had departed, that rock soon fell upon the same cave, just as the angel had foretold.

³¹ On another day the most blessed abbot Munnu, in his monastery called Teach Munna, which is in the southern region of the land of the Cennselach, heard one demon saying to another: “Why is your face, O friend, so sad and greatly pale at this time?” The other replied: “Why should I not be sad? For I and many other companions have long fought bravely against one man, and we have prevailed nothing. The place in which he stands has been ours from the beginning of the world; but now, just as it is impossible for a living man to stand in blazing flames, so it is difficult for us to roam between that place and heaven, because we are burned by the flames of his prayers. If you wish to know who he is, it is Coemgenus, who dwells in the valley of the two lakes. Yet in these days we have persuaded him to leave that place and go on pilgrimage, and he is now ready to go, if God does not hinder his journey.” When Saint Munnu heard this, he bound that demon in a chain of fire by the power of Christ, fastening it by a stone inscription, by God’s help, as a memorial of this binding power until this day. Then Saint Munnu sent messengers to Saint Coemgenus, who told him in order the words spoken by the demons concerning him. And Saint Coemgenus, giving thanks to God and to Saint Munnu, abandoned his vow of pilgrimage.

³² One night Saint Coemgenus and his monks were singing the hymn of Saint Patrick. Suddenly the blessed Coemgenus, filled with wonder, fell silent and ordered his companions to sing the hymn three times. When the hymn had been finished the third time, Patrick blessed them. When they asked why he had ordered the hymn to be sung three times, he at first kept silent, but then explained to them, saying: “Our most blessed patron Patrick, whose hymn you sang, was standing on the pavement, supported by his staff, and he blessed you when you ceased from the chant.” This was Patrick the archbishop, who converted Ireland from paganism to the faith, and who himself passed to Christ many years ago. The grace of his hymn is also related in his Life.

³³ On the following night Saint Coemgenus, in the silence of night, walked on dry ground from the place where he had sung the hymn of Saint Patrick with his companions to the place where his city now stands, crossing the lake, thinking that no one saw him. Nevertheless his leatherworker, named Cronanus, slowly followed in the footsteps of Saint Coemgenus, likewise crossing the lake on dry ground. When the holy father saw him coming down from the lake behind him, he said to him: “Why, brother, did you dare to follow me along this unfamiliar path without my permission? Therefore I tell you that your bones will not be buried in the place where my relics will be. Yet let there be no despair: you will be with me in heaven.” That brother was already obedient, humble, and faithful, and it happened to him according to the prophecy of the man of God.

³⁴ After this an angel of the Lord came to Saint Coemgenus, saying: “O saint of God, God has sent me to you, that you may come to the place which the Lord has appointed for you at the eastern side of the lesser lake, and that you may be there among your brothers, for there your resurrection will be.” Saint Coemgenus said: “Unless it were displeasing to my Lord, I would wish to remain this place, in which I have endured labour for Christ, until my death.” The angel replied: “If you go with your monks to that place, many sons of life will always be there until the end of the world, and your monks after you will have sufficient earthly provision there. And many thousands of blessed souls will rise with you from that place to the kingdom of heaven.” Coemgenus answered: “Truly, O holy minister, it is impossible for monks to dwell in this valley surrounded by mountains unless God helps them by his power.” The angel replied: “Hear these words, man of God. Fifty men indeed from among your monks, if you wish, God will satisfy in that place with heavenly bread, without earthly provisions, provided they remain of one mind in Christ after you; and for each one of them who dies, another will succeed him with fear and love of God, in the same habit and profession, until the day of judgment.” Coemgenus replied: “I do not wish my monks to be so few in that place after me.” The angel answered: “If, then, you do not wish them to be so few in that place, many thousands will be there through the ages, living prosperously and without want, since God will already provide them with earthly goods. You, however, from the heavenly seat will supply your earthly family as you will in Christ. And with God’s help you will govern your monks both here and hereafter. That place will already be holy and venerable, and the kings and mighty men of Ireland will honour it in honour of the Lord for your sake, with gold and silver, precious gems, silk garments, gifts from overseas, royal delights, and it will abound greatly in fertility. For a great city will grow there. And the burial place of your monks will be so holy that none of those who enter it beneath the earth will suffer the torments of hell. And if you wish that these four mountains which cling to this valley should become level, most pleasant and fruitful plains, without doubt your God will do it for your sake.” Saint Coemgenus replied: “I do not desire that the creatures of God should be moved for my sake, for otherwise my God can help the place. Moreover almost all these mountains are familiar and humble to me, and they would be saddened by what you say.” While the angel of the Lord and Saint Coemgenus were speaking these things and others like them to one another, they walked across the lake over the waters to that place. When they examined the place carefully, Coemgenus said to the angel: “This place is rough, for many stones conceal its surface, and there is no place in it suitable for burial.” The angel replied to him: “These stones have been immovable from eternity until today; but from this day onward they will always be movable.” And in that land which the angel showed to Saint Coemgenus, no immovable stone is found.

³⁵ Then, not long afterwards, the same angel again came to Saint Coemgenus, saying: “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, arise with your companions and go out to the place which God has appointed as fitting for your resurrection.” After these words he departed.

³⁶ While Saint Coemgenus was still remaining in the same place, look, a good man of noble lineage among the men of Leinster came to Saint Coemgenus, named Dymma son of Fiagni. The holy man said to him: “On the appointed day come to me with your people, so that you may carry the goods and dwellings of the brothers to another place which God has appointed for us.” When that man came, as he had promised, Saint Coemgenus questioned him, saying: “Have you brought with you all your men, as I told you?” Dymma replied: “I have brought eight of my sons with the others; but the ninth remained at home, unwilling to come.” Saint Coemgenus said: “By what name is he called?” Dymma said: “He is called Moelgubi.” Saint Coemgenus said to him: “Alas, it is a fitting name for him; for after a few days he will be crucified in the southern region of Leinster, which is called Cennselach. And indeed the name Moelgubi, that is, ‘mournful bald one,’ suited him well, for a mournful end will befall him.” Again Saint Coemgenus prophetically foretold, saying to Dymma: “But you and your eight sons will not be slain; rather, after doing penance, you will go peacefully to heaven.” And so it was fulfilled. After such prophecies, Dymma with his sons and the others lifted the household goods and dwellings from there and set them down in the place marked out by the angel for Saint Coemgenus. Afterwards Saint Coemgenus said: “In this place my city will grow, in which my resurrection will be.” When Dymma and his sons asked where the church and the cemetery of that place should be built, Saint Coemgenus said: “Here once a certain shepherd was buried, and around him many will rise again; for here will be the cemetery of this place.” And Saint Coemgenus said to Dymma and his sons: “O sons, cut away the thorns and briars, and make an enclosure of this place, for in this place you will be buried. Where, after much time has passed, a temple will be built in my name, and you will lie beneath its altar.” That valley was already the possession of Dymma, and Dymma and his sons offered it all to God and to Saint Coemgenus. The eighth son of Dymma, named Dycoll, laboured humbly beyond his strength more than all the others. To him Saint Coemgenus said: “O son, you will be blessed and beloved by God and by men; and just as you are humbler than the others, so you and your offspring after you will be more exalted, and you will rule over your brothers.” Afterwards Dymma, rejoicing with his sons in the blessing of Saint Coemgenus, returned to his own place. Saint Coemgenus then began to live in that place with the utmost strictness: that is, he clothed himself in the roughest garments, lay without a bed upon the bare ground, practised extreme fasts, tasting nothing but herbs and only rarely water, kept continual vigils, and often remained outside without roof or fire. And so he lived there for a long time, until the holy fathers, at the request of his disciples, reasonably recalled him from this austerity to the fellowship of the brothers. And in that place a bright and religious city grew in honour of Saint Coemgenus, which is called by the name of the same valley in which it stands, that is, Glendalough. And that city lies in the eastern part of Leinster, in the region called Fortuathia.

³⁷ A certain man, hearing of a golden belt that had been given in alms to Saint Coemgenus, came full of deceit and asked for that belt. He falsely claimed that his mother was in captivity and that he sought the belt for her release; but this was untrue. Saint Coemgenus gave him the golden belt so that he might give it for his mother. When the man went out with the belt, he wandered in a marvellous way three times and was in no way able to recognise his path. But on the third occasion, recognising his guilt, he returned to Saint Coemgenus, confessed that he had acted unjustly, and did penance.

³⁸ At another time Saint Coemgenus heard that three abbots, namely Columba, Comgall, and Cainnech, were gathered together in one place called Uisneach, and he went to them, wishing to establish brotherhood with them. On that day there was a great station of the people assembled to Saint Columba, where the saints were. When Saint Columba saw Saint Coemgenus coming from afar to the station, he rose up out of honour for him and remained standing until Saint Coemgenus arrived there. As Saint Coemgenus was drawing near to that station, look, exceedingly fierce and dreadful dogs ran to meet him, wishing to devour him. Seeing this, everyone thought that the saint and his companions had been killed by the dogs. But when Saint Coemgenus made the sign against the onrush of the dogs, by the nod of God they became most gentle, and with great joy they licked the feet and garments of Saint Coemgenus with their ears, noses, and tongues. Seeing such a miracle, they gave blessing to God in his saints. The rustic people of that station reproached Saint Columba because he stood so far away on account of the coming of Coemgenus. And Saint Columba said to them: “Why, wretched men, should we not rise at the coming of the servant of God, Coemgenus, when the angels of the Lord will rise in heaven at his coming?” And by this testimony they were greatly edified.

³⁹ At another time the most blessed Coemgenus set out to visit the most holy abbot Ciaran, who founded his city, that is, Clonmacnoise, which lies in the western part of the region of Meath, on the bank of the river Shannon, opposite the province of the Connachta. But Saint Ciaran, before Saint Coemgenus reached him, departed from this world to Christ on the third day. His body was placed on a bier in a certain basilica until Saint Coemgenus and the other saints should arrive to bury him. When Saint Coemgenus arrived late at the monastery of Saint Ciaran, he entered the basilica in which the holy body lay and ordered all the brothers to go outside, wishing himself alone to remain there that night beside the holy body. When all the brothers had gone out, Saint Coemgenus carefully closed the door of the basilica and remained there alone until morning. Some of the brothers, however, kept watch before the doors of the basilica until dawn. While Saint Coemgenus was praying there, the most blessed soul of Saint Ciaran returned to his body, and rising up he began to speak saving words to Saint Coemgenus. Those brothers who remained outside clearly heard the voice of both of them. Saint Ciaran asked the blessed Coemgenus that, as a sign of eternal fellowship, each should exchange garments with the other, and so they did. When the door of the basilica was opened on the following day, the brothers found Saint Coemgenus clothed in the garments of Saint Ciaran, and Saint Ciaran wrapped in the garments of Saint Coemgenus. The body of Saint Ciaran was warm, with a ruddy colour in his face. Saint Coemgenus then made known to the monks of Saint Ciaran the brotherhood and fellowship which he and Saint Ciaran had always established between themselves, their places, and their monks. And the brothers who had kept watch that night before the basilica bore witness to these things. After the body of Saint Ciaran had been honourably committed to the earth, Saint Coemgenus returned to his own city.

⁴⁰ It once happened that a thought came to Saint Coemgenus that he wished to go on pilgrimage alone. And he set out alone from his monastery, wishing to wander far. Seeing him going alone, a holy hermit named Garbanus said to him: “O man of God, where are you going? It is better now to remain fixed in one place in Christ than in old age to run about from place to place. For you have never heard of a bird warming its eggs while flying.” Hearing this, Saint Coemgenus was struck to the heart and promised to return to his place. Then Saint Garbanus offered himself with his cell always to God and to Saint Coemgenus. Saint Garbanus lived near the city of Áth Cliath, which lies in the northern part of Leinster, set upon a sea inlet. In Irish it is called Duibh Linn, which in Latin means “black pool.” That city is powerful and warlike, and in it there always dwell men most fierce in battles and most skilled with fleets.

⁴¹ And Saint Coemgen, returning from Saint Garbanus, turned aside to Saint Berchan the elder, who was blind, wishing to hear the word of God from him. But Saint Berchan, foreseeing prophetically the coming of Saint Coemgen, said to his disciples: “O my sons, quickly prepare a bath for our holy elder Coemgen, who is coming to us today.” After Coemgen had now arrived there, blessed Berchan said to him: “Holy father, wash your body in the bath prepared for you by divine revelation.” Saint Coemgen replied to him: “Truly, father, from the day when I took up this resolve in my youth, I have not bathed until today except in cold waters, for the humbling of my body; but nevertheless, for your sake and for God’s, whose chosen one you are, I will bathe.” And while Saint Coemgen was washing himself in the bath, Saint Berchan said to his attendant: “Bring to me, brother, the fig of Saint Coemgen.” For Saint Berchan had already seen spiritually a demon sitting in the fig of Saint Coemgen, and he said to it: “Why do you stand here, O most wicked demon? How have you dared to enter the fig of a holy man?” The demon answered: “Demons can persuade him in nothing except under the appearance of good; thus I entered his fig, persuading him to go on pilgrimage and to abandon his place, which is great under the appearance of good.” And saying these things, the demon cried out, earnestly begging that he might be released to depart; for before the presence of the saints of God the demon had no power over himself. And when the demon had been given leave to go, he vanished from the sight of the saints. Afterwards Saint Coemgen and Saint Berchan, exchanging with one another saving words, one of them returned to his brethren, glorifying God, while the other remained in his cell with fear and love of God.

⁴² Colmanus, son of Carbri, leader of the fourth part of the northern Laginenses, having in his youth a certain noble woman as his wife, but since they did not agree with one another in their manners, dismissed her and took another wife in her place. The woman who had been dismissed was very evil in magical arts, and she was filled with jealousy against her husband Colmanus the leader, and by her magical incantations she killed all the offspring of the other wife. Whenever she heard that a son or a daughter had been born to him, she would come from some place toward the settlement where the infant was, and she would chant magically until the little child was dead. But when, in his old age, a little child was born to him, he was immediately baptised, lest he should be killed by that poisoner without baptism, and he was called Felanus. At once the duke, his father, sent him to Saint Coemgen, that he might defend him by the power of God from the same woman, and might nurture him in secular dress. And he offered him to Saint Coemgen, so that he, with his offspring, might be buried with Saint Coemgen for ever, and might serve him, if Felanus should escape alive. And Saint Coemgen received him with joy, and nurtured him in lay habit, as his father had commanded, and he loved him greatly. And since Saint Coemgen had no means by which to obtain fresh milk to nourish the infant, because women and cows were far from his monastery, he prayed to the Lord that He might grant him some help. And God immediately sent from a nearby mountain a hind to Saint Coemgen, from whose milk the child Felanus was nourished. That hind came twice daily to the monastery of Saint Coemgen, and was milked there by a certain brother for the infant Felanus, until he grew up, and then it most gently returned to its own pastures.

⁴³ On a certain day also, while a brother was milking it outside, he set a vessel with the milk upon the ground; and a greedy raven came and wished to drink it, and struck the vessel with the milk with its beak onto the ground. Seeing this, Saint Coemgen said to that raven: “For a long time you and your kind shall afterwards repent of this wickedness; that is, much flesh shall be prepared on the day of my departure to heaven, and you shall not eat of it. And if any of you, through his own boldness, shall wish to touch the dung or the blood of the animals slain on those days, he shall immediately die. And all others shall then be joyful, but you shall be sad upon the summits of the surrounding mountains, chattering and quarrelling among yourselves because of your sadness.” And this miracle, even to this day, is fulfilled every year, just as the holy man foretold.

⁴⁴ When that pestilent woman heard that the boy Faelanus was with Saint Coemgen, she came and stood on the summit of Mount Eanydh, which rises on the southern side over the city of Saint Coemgen; and from that mountain she looked into the monastery of Saint Coemgen, in order to kill the boy Faelanus by diabolical poisons and incantations. Sensing this by God’s prompting, Father Coemgen said to his brothers: “O brothers, carefully hide the boy Faelanus, lest that diabolical woman, who looks upon us from the nearby mountain, should see him.” And saying this, he rose up to God in prayer against her. She, walking to and fro around the summit of the mountain, practised her magical art; but she was struck blind by God, and seeing nothing she nevertheless persisted in her wickedness, and fell from the summit of the mountain over rough ground headlong into the valley called Cassain, and was torn limb from limb, and there that wretched woman perished most miserably.

⁴⁵ After this, in the springtime, the same boy Faelanus asked Saint Coemgen for apples; and the man of God, wishing greatly to please him, blessed a tree, namely a willow, and immediately by the grace of God sweet apples appeared on it, from which the boy was satisfied. And that willow still produces apples every year by God’s will.

⁴⁶ On another day the boy, rejecting the cold milk, asked Saint Coemgen for it warm. Coemgen, not at once finding a pan, poured the milk into a wooden vessel and set it with his own hands over the fire; and the fire in no way harmed the wood, but within it the milk was wondrously warmed by the power of God.

⁴⁷ At another time, when the same boy Faelanus was a young man, Saint Coemgen sent him, and others with him, to Saint Mochonne. And that saint foretold to his own people, saying: “Men of the household of Saint Father Coemgen are coming to us today, and prepare refreshment for them.” Afterwards Faelanus arrived there with his companions and was received with joy. And Saint Mochonne questioned the young man Faelanus, saying: “For what purpose have you come to us?” Faelanus answered: “Our elder Coemgen did not tell us, O holy father, the reason why he sent us to you; but this we now know, that you know Coemgen’s secret counsel, and he wishes you to confirm it.” Saint Mochonne said to him: “You have answered wisely, son; for this is indeed what our father Coemgen desires. The fitting time has come, that you, son, by our counsel and prayer, should sit in the kingdom of your father, and your seed after you until the end of the age. But whoever of your offspring shall be opposed to the successors of Saint Coemgen, all good things, here and in the future, shall be taken away from him.” Afterwards the blessed young man Faelanus sat in the kingdom of his father with the prayer and exhortation of the most holy elder Coemgen and of Saint Mochonne, and his kingdom prospered in his hand through the grace of the saints.

⁴⁸ At a certain time Faelanus himself came to greet his foster-father Coemgen. When his enemies heard this, those who wished to seize his kingdom, they laid great ambushes against him, seeking to kill him. Seeing this in the spirit, the holy old man Coemgen carefully told it to Duke Faelanus, his foster-son, whom he loved greatly; and blessing him, he commanded him to return safely to his own land. Now only a few were with Duke Faelanus. But Faelanus himself, trusting in the blessing of his holy father Coemgen, set out by the direct road to his territory. And when he came among the ambushes of his enemies, he appeared, with those who were with him, in the forms and swiftness of deer; and thus he escaped unharmed from his enemies through the blessing of the man of God.

⁴⁹ On one occasion three scholars from the plain of the Liffey, which is called the Plain of the Laginenses, came to Saint Coemgen, wishing to follow his counsel. One of them was called Melcruinn. As they discussed philosophy among themselves, the same Melcruinn surpassed the other two in questions. But the other two, angered, killed him and beheaded him in the valley of Cassain, in which the same evil woman had perished. Knowing this inwardly in his cell, Saint Coemgen said to the master of the guests: “Two young scholars, who today have committed murder, will quickly come to you; and do not be cheerful at their arrival, but answer them with harsh and obscure words.” And the minister did so. Then they, seeing his harshness toward them, said sadly to one another: “Now Saint Father Coemgen, knowing our crime, has commanded this brother to treat us with such severity. Let us therefore take good counsel; that is, confessing our crime to him, let us do penance.” And Saint Coemgen said to them: “O sons, you have committed an evil deed; but still trust in the mercy of God; and return to him whom you have killed, and carry my staff with you, and place it upon his breast; and the head, which you left between his feet, fit properly to his neck; and I believe that he will rise to you. No beast has yet touched him, except a fox drinking a little of his blood.” As they went and did all these things in order, the slain brother rose from death as if from a deep sleep. And all three together returned joyfully to Saint Coemgen. That brother who had been raised from death remained an obedient monk with Saint Coemgen until his death. And Saint Coemgen commanded him never to go far from the monastery, except when leading guests as far as the place of his martyrdom, in order to show them the way through the mountains. In that place now a cross has been set up. But to the other two, when they returned, he commanded that they should go on pilgrimage and afterwards live religiously. And they fulfilled this with great devotion.

⁵⁰ A certain royal man came to the holy elder Coemgen, so that he might receive from him his belt blessed, lest he himself should be slain by his enemies. And returning with the blessed belt to his own land, a great band of his enemies came to meet him on the open road. And when his enemies saw him, they made a fierce attack upon him. Then he, girded with his belt, began to invoke the name of Saint Coemgen; and immediately they were in no way able to see him, though they surrounded him. And perceiving from their speech that they had not seen him, he thus escaped unharmed and unseen through their midst by the grace of the man of God.

⁵¹ Once the king of the Laginenses, together with the sons of Niall and the northern provinces with him, entered the territory of the Laginenses in order to lay it waste. He came to Saint Coemgen, seeking counsel from him. But Saint Coemgen did not allow him to enter his valley; rather, he stood on the brow of the southern mountain, where there is now the kings’ terebinth, and he sent his messengers to Saint Coemgen. To them the holy man said: “A king, by human law, ought to fight for the land entrusted to him, if he cannot otherwise defend it.” Hearing these words of the saint of God, the king returned to battle, joyful and ready. And before him a great battle was broken, in which the sons of Niall were greatly overcome by the Laginenses, and the northerners were reduced to destruction. After the battle the king himself, together with the Laginenses, gave thanks to God and to Saint Coemgen.

⁵² A certain soldier, named Rotanus, had exceedingly beautiful hair, which he carefully nourished with all diligence, and because of it he lived luxuriously, caring nothing for his soul. When the most holy old man Coemgen heard this, it greatly displeased him. So he blessed water and sent it to him, and ordered him to wash his head with it mixed with lye, as though for a blessing. He, washing his head with joy, lost all his hair. Knowing that this was the will of Saint Coemgen, he came and did penance before the saint, and promised amendment of his life. Seeing his satisfaction, the man of God blessed his head, and at once another head of hair grew upon it, which was quite more beautiful, but did not reach the former length. Afterwards that soldier, giving thanks to God and to his saint in all things, returned to his own home.

⁵³ Robbers from the people of Degha, from the region of Kennselach, came and hid themselves in the mountains near the monastery of Saint Coemgen, intending on the following night to plunder a certain village in the territory of the sons of Moel and to kill its men. This was revealed by God to the holy old man Coemgen. Then Saint Coemgen, having no other messenger readily at hand, ordered a man blind from birth, named Guaire, to go to them and warn them about the robbers. He arose at once without excuse, and immediately an angel of the Lord came to him and led him there and back again, bringing him safely with heavenly light. The inhabitants of that village, giving thanks, hid themselves with their families in safe places; but the robbers returned from there empty-handed.

⁵⁴ A certain leatherworker, named Cronanus, who afterwards became a holy and devout man before God and men, and who built a renowned cell for God, sent a delegation to Saint Coemgen, asking that he would send him a faithful and suitable brother, through whom he might convey his secrets to Saint Coemgen. To him the holy father Coemgen without delay sent the monk Berchan, according to the custom of ancient times, alone. When that brother had already begun his journey through forests and deserted mountains, he found a certain beautiful woman standing alone on the road, waiting for an escort through the wilderness. Seeing him, she said to him: “O man of God, for the sake of the almighty Lord, allow me and bear with me, that I may go with you through the desert.” The brother therefore, for the Lord’s sake, consented and promised her on his word that he would accompany her until he brought her back through the wilderness to her settlements. And she was seized with love for him; for he was handsome and strong, flourishing in the bloom of youth. She tempted him often with flattering speech; and finally, when they came to a certain river, she said to him: “I ask you, lord, in the name of Christ, wait until I drink water and bathe myself in the river; for I am now weary from the journey.” She did this wishing to display the beauty of her body to him. As she stripped herself of her garments, Berchan placed his head upon the ground, unwilling to look upon her, and was immediately overcome by a very heavy sleep. When the woman came from the water and saw him sleeping, she greatly desired to lie with him. Taking the brother’s garments, she began to lie with him, embracing him with her arms. But the soldier of Christ [2 Timothy 2:3], awakened from sleep, resisted her strongly with hands and knees, and springing from her grasp, began to strike her with his staff on back and sides. Saint Coemgen and Saint Cronanus, by divine revelation, saw all these things from afar in their cells, and Saint Cronanus said: “Act manfully, O good brother Berchan, by scourging the shameless woman” [1 Corinthians 16:13]. But the most holy Coemgen said: “O my most beloved son Berchan, be merciful and spare her, and do not scourge the wretched woman.” These words of the saints sitting in their cells the blessed monk Berchan heard far away in the desert by God’s will; and hearing the command of his holy master Coemgen, he ceased from striking the woman. And she, doing penance, Berchan led her with him through the wilderness, as he had promised; and extolling the holiness of the man of God, she told her friends what had happened on the way. But the blessed Berchan, arriving at the cell of Saint Cronanus, was received with joy, and Saint Cronanus gave thanks to him for his manly contest. And sending him back to Saint Coemgen, among other secrets he said to him: “Tell my father Coemgen that I desire one day to depart with him to Christ” [Philippians 1:23]. Hearing this, Saint Coemgen said prophetically: “We shall not both go to heaven on one day, that is, not in the same year; but nevertheless on the very day of my departure, after a time, he shall depart to Christ. And one day afterwards our solemnity shall be.” And so it came to pass.

⁵⁵ A certain cruel soldier frequently practised robbery among the ridges of the mountains, and cared nothing for good works, except only that he daily invoked the name of Saint Coemgen, believing in God, for the help of his soul. On a certain day he was surrounded by his enemies, and after they had cut his throat, they afterwards beheaded him. Then an angel of the Lord came to Saint Coemgen, saying: “A certain wretched man, who daily invoked you against the dangers of his soul, a soldier of Christ [2 Timothy 2:3], has today been beheaded. Therefore act manfully in your God [1 Corinthians 16:13], and go after the demons who are dragging his soul to punishments; for although the body has been destroyed, by the power of God you may snatch his soul from hell.” Then the most holy old man Coemgen, strengthened by angelic guidance, ascending into the air, freed the soul of that wretch from the demons by the power of Christ. And he was in that struggle from the ninth hour until the following day. His monks, grieving, marvelled at the absence of their most holy and aged elder. And when he came back to his brothers the next day from the air, he immediately said to them: “O my brothers, bury the body of that wretched man, for whom I was in heaven, among your graves; for his soul has been freed from the demons and is at rest before the presence of God.” Thus the brothers did, marvelling at the grace of God in their holy father.

⁵⁶ A certain holy virgin, named Cassayr, daughter of Ædha, seeing in the open air the holy old man Coemgen clad in very rough skins, asked him in the name of Christ to accept better clothing from her. But the man of God refused them, lest through avarice Satan should approach him. The holy virgin was greatly saddened by this. Afterwards she entrusted herself, her cell, and all that belonged to her to the rule of Saint Coemgen. Then an angel of the Lord came and, taking away the rough garments from the holy and aged man Coemgen, clothed him in the same garments of the holy virgin. For this reason the man of God and the holy virgin, together with their households, gave thanks to God.

⁵⁷ A certain man, named Critanus, and his enemies made peace in the presence of Saint Coemgen, and the holy old man commended each of them to the faith of the other. But after some time, when the darts of discord were stirred up between them, they came to Saint Coemgen in order to confirm the peace before him. Quarrelling with one another on the way, they angrily killed him; and afterwards they came to Saint Coemgen and spoke ill of him, as though they themselves had done him no harm. To them Saint Coemgen said: “O wretches, why do you speak deceitfully before me? You killed him today, caring nothing for your pledge of faith. I myself was present in spirit when you slew him. Return to him at once, and tell him to come without delay with you to me, so that you may know how great is the keeping of faith in Christ.” When they did this, the man who had been killed rose from death and came with them to Saint Coemgen. Then they all, according to the command of Saint Coemgen, did penance; but he who had been raised from death gave thanks, magnifying God in all things.

⁵⁸ Two men condemned to death were led to execution in the plain of the Liffey by the king of the Leinster men. When they had already reached the place of execution, they both called upon Saint Coemgen: one of them asked that eternal life might be obtained for him, while the other sought present life. The most holy old man Coemgen was present with them in spirit, though absent in body. In his cell he prayed to God for them, and God granted to them according to their request, on account of the prayer of the most faithful Coemgen. For one of them was immediately put to death, commending himself to God through the grace of the old man Coemgen, and his soul was led by the angels of God to heaven. The other, however, the king’s executioners tried all day to kill, but they could neither kill nor crucify him in any way. Questioning him toward evening as to what magical art prevented weapons or clubs from tearing his body, he said to them: “You heard today how my companion and I called upon the holy old man Coemgen: he for eternal life, but I for present life. You immediately killed him, and angels received his soul to God; but I see our holy patron Coemgen around me, warding off your javelins and blows from me.” When this was reported to the king, he ordered that the man be set free for God and Saint Coemgen. And so he was released, giving thanks to God and to Saint Coemgen.

⁵⁹ When the holy old man Coemgen, in venerable old age, wished to pass from this life to Christ, having run perfectly from infancy to old age in the commandments of God, in holiness and righteousness, in many virtues and very many signs, he sent twelve of the most proven of his monks to the place where, after his own thrice-sung hymn, the most blessed archbishop Patrick, as we have said above, stood. Whatever people of good will rightly ask from God in that place, as Saint Coemgen promised, they receive. Therefore Coemgen sent them there, that they might ask the Lord in that place for the petition of Saint Coemgen, which he himself did not reveal to them. And the brothers asked the Lord for the petition, still not knowing it. When the prayer was finished, they returned to Saint Coemgen. Then the holy father Coemgen, knowing that what they had asked had been granted to them, revealed to them his petition: namely, that he himself might be laid down from the burden of the flesh, because it had once been promised to him by God that he would not depart from this world until he himself should ask God for this. Hearing these words, the brothers were made very sorrowful. But the holy father Coemgen began to console them by the promise of Christ, bearing witness that he had already seen the kingdom of God while still living in the body. And he taught them diligently to keep his rule and the commandments of God. Afterwards, lifting up his hands, he blessed them and his place; and, having received the body and blood of Christ from Saint Mochorog the Briton, whose cell is on the east of the city of Saint Coemgen, while the brothers were already standing in weeping and groaning, after one hundred and twenty years in the present life, among the choirs of angels and the companies of archangels he passed, on the third day before the Nones of June, to the heavenly Jerusalem, to the kingdom without end, to our Lord God Jesus Christ. To whom, with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, be glory, honour, and power, through all ages of ages. Amen.

⁶⁰ Here ends the life of Saint Coemgen, Abbot and Confessor.