ST KEVIN, ABBOT - 3 JUNE

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN JUNE

Saints celebrated on the 3rd of June

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SAINT KEVIN, ABBOT

Saint Kevin (Koemgenus, Coemghen) was Abbot of Glendalough (Glindelacum) in Ireland. Born around the year 500, Coemghen was of a princely family from what is now the County of Wicklow in eastern Ireland (south of Dublin).

His father Coemlugh (Coinlogha) was from the royal line of Leinster and its mother Coemella (Coenhella) from the family Dalmascoirb. The child's extraordinary beauty gave rise to the legend that he was baptised by an angel. Indeed, Saint Cronan, who was the one who did baptise him, said on the occasion that the baby should be called what he was, namely Coemghen i.e. "Fair born".

STUDY AND SPIRITUAL EXERCISES

He was taken to the monastery of Saint Eugenius, his uncle, the patron saint of Derry. Here he devoted himself to study and spiritual exercises. Here it was also where he was tempted to sin by a girl because of his stunning looks, but he steadfastly overcame temptation and converted the temptress herself to God, so that she from then on did lead a very pious life.

When it transpired that he should become abbot, he secretly withdrew from the monastery and hid in the nearby valley of Glendalough, the valley of two lakes, which was surrounded by high mountains. After a while he was discovered.  

THE MONASTERY OF GLENDALOUGH

Bishop Lugidus then ordained him a priest and told him to set up his cell in Cluanduach to gather servants of God. In this way the monastery of Glendalough gradually came into being in this wild valley, surrounded by mountains and forests and cut by lakes, which later became a bishopric. Eventually, however, it was united with the see of Dublin.

ST KIERAN'S WAKE

St Kevin became abbot of this new monastery around the year 549. It became the motherhouse of many monasteries in the province of Leinster. Saint Kevin went to pay a visit to the Clonmacnoise monastery in 559, a few days after the death of Saint Kieran. He spent the night in church, praying at the deceased saint's body, and then established a lasting friendship between this house and his own.

HE LIVED IN HARMONY WITH CREATION

After he had put his monastery in order, he went to an even more lonely place in the valley of Glendalough, where he lived for five years with the greatest rigour. It so happened to him, as to so many other saints (for instance, to St Francis of Assisi) that he lived in the midst of creation just as Adam once did - in earthly paradise. Since he had completely emptied himself of self, that horror which God had implanted in animals against men after the flood also gave way. The wild animals, therefore, became tame in his vicinity, and drank from his hand.

One day, the hunting dogs of King Brandub chased a wild boar, and the boar took refuge in our saint's cell, and the dogs did not dare to penetrate it. The hunter who followed, Enna, was utterly amazed at this miracle. 

A BIRD IN HIS HAND

Birds of various kinds perched on his hand and shoulders, or flew around him and sang while he prayed. That is why he is depicted on old paintings with a bird on his hand. 

At one point Saint Kevin considered moving on from place to place as a pilgrim; but Saint Garbhan, a monk near Dublin, dissuaded him by saying: "Birds do not breed their eggs when they fly". 

Later, pressed by the monks to take over the management of the house again, he died at the old age of 120 on June 3, 618, on which day his name is in the old calendars and his feast is still celebrated in the Diocese of Dublin.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints)

PRAYER:

O God, for the Christian education of the poor and the strengthening of the new generations in the way of truth, you raised up the holy Confessor, St Kevin, who was baptised, taught and buried by saints, and through him gathered together many souls in your Church: grant, we pray you, that helped by his prayers and example, we may burn with zeal for your glory in the salvation of souls, and become worthy to share his crown in heaven. 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.

Our Father…, Hail Mary…, Glory be…