SAINT FEAST DAY 11 MARCH: ST AENGUS, HERMIT

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MARCH

Saints celebrated on the 11th of March

WELCOME!

SAINT AENGUS, HERMIT

Saint Aengus (The Culdee) (also known as St Oengus) is an Irish saint who flourished in the last quarter of the eighth century, and is the author of the Felire, or Festology of the Saints. Born near Clonengh, Ireland, Aengus was educated at the monastic school, founded there by St Fintan, not far from the present town of Mountrath. Becoming a hermit, he lived for a time at Disert-beagh, where, on the banks of the Nore, he is said to have communed with the angels. From his love of prayer and solitude he was named the "Culdee", or "Servant of God." 

HE CONCEALED HIS IDENTITY

Not satisfied with his hermitage, which was only a mile from Clonenagh, and, therefore, liable to be disturbed by students or wayfarers, Aengus removed to a more solitary abode eight miles distant. This sequestered place, two miles southeast of the present town of Maryborough, was called after him "the Desert of Aengus", or "Dysert-Enos". Here he erected a little oratory on a gentle eminence. Eventually he came to the monastery of Tallaght, near Dublin, then governed by St Maelruain. He entered as a lay-brother, concealing his identity, but St Maelruain soon discovered him, and collaborated with him on the work known as the "Martyrology of Tallaght", about the year 790. This is a prose catalogue of Irish saints, and is the oldest of the Irish martyrologies. 

A HOLY DEATH

About the year 805 St Aengus finished his famous Felire, a poetical work on the saints of Ireland. He passed away on Friday, March 11, 824. He was buried in Clonenagh. 

Source: Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Aengus may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

⬅️ Litany of the Irish Saints