Skip to main content

SAINT ODRAN, MARTYR - 27 OCTOBER

 

SAINT ODRAN, MARTYR


In the martyrologies, this Odran (Odranus) is called the charioteer (auriga) of St Patrick (Patritius) of Ireland. Some seem to think that Odran was even a bishop, or a priest. At any rate, he belonged to the disciples of that great Irish apostle, and shared his fame; he may well have come with him from Scotland. 

The place of his death was called Disert-Odhrain in Hisaigia. As legend has it, he was killed by a nobleman named Failge (according to Kelly* in the year 451) when he was in the chariot with St Patrick. The murderer mistook the driver for St Patrick himself. 

Beforehand, the great saint had broken an idol by force, thereby incurring the murderer's enmity, who swore to kill St Patrick for this deed. The driver was  aware of what Failge planned to do. When, therefore, they were about to pass Failge's castle, Odran requested of his master: "I've been your charioteer for a long time, now be mine!" 

In this way the deadly lance pierced the servant. St Patrick saw Odran's soul ascending to heaven, where it was admitted to the ranks of the white-robed martyrs. The murderer, whose body and soul the devil immediately took possession of (c.f. Mart. II. 555), was suddenly and unexpectedly struck down by death on the very same day that he had killed the saintly charioteer. (III. 131 and 132.)

St Odran is also commemorated on February 19  and March 8.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 5, Augsburg, 1882)

*A hagiography source used by the authors 

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER TO ST ODRAN, ST PATRICK’S CHARIOTEER, WHO GAVE HIS OWN LIFE TO SAVE THAT OF HIS MASTER

Blessed Saint Odran, faithful and loyal to God and man! you whose name is almost forgotten by those who owe you an everlasting debt of gratitude, accept our poor thanksgiving, offered in the name of all Ireland, for your noble sacrifice of your life to save that of Ireland’s Apostle.

You had toiled in his service long and devotedly; you had learned what priceless service he could render to God and the Irish land and, when the moment came when he or you should die, by pagan hands, quickly and resolutely you laid down your life, that your master might live and labour for the Divine Master of all.

By your crown of martyrdom, so gloriously won, by your centuries of endless peace and joy, we beseech you to look down on the toiling sons of Ireland and those who try to guide them to their eternal rest. Look down on us all, O blessed Saint! for the love of him whose heart burned with love for Ireland, and pray that the blessing of the Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Ghost - may descend on us and remain with us for ever. Amen.

(From: St Anthony’s Treasury, 1916 - https://prayers4reparation.wordpress.com/2019/10/12/prayer-to-st-odran-st-patricks-charioteer/ )




Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

WELCOME

  Please pick your saints: January - Saints by date  1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    10    11    12    13    14    15    16    17   18    19    20    21    22    23    24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31   February - Saints by date  1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    10    11    12    13    14    15    16    17 18    19    20    21    22    23    24    25    26    27    28    29 ...
Post a Comment
Read more

BL. LUKE KIRBY, PRIEST AND MARTYR - 30 MAY

  ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MAY Saints celebrated on the 30th of May WELCOME! BLESSED LUKE KIRBY, PRIEST AND MARTYR 16th century houses, painted by Auguste Mayer He was born in the bishopric of Durham, according to Raissius ; others say at Richmond, in Yorkshire. He was master of arts in one of our universities; but going abroad to Douay, in Flanders, was received into the English college there, 1576, and made priest in 1577; and the year following sent upon the mission. Where he had not been long before he again went abroad, and travelled to Rome, partly for devotion, and partly for further improvement in learning. Here he remained in the English college till 1580, when he returned into England, and was not long after apprehended: for I find by a printed diary of things transacted in the Tower of London from 1580 till 1585, that on the 5th of December, 1580, Luke Kirby, Thomas Cottam , and other priests, were brought to the Tower from other prisons; and that these two, on the 10th...
Post a Comment
Read more

BL. RICHARD NEWPORT, PRIEST AND MARTYR - 30 MAY

  ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MAY Saints celebrated on the 30th of May WELCOME! BLESSED RICHARD NEWPORT, PRIEST AND MARTYR Richard Newport, alias Smith , was born in Northamptonshire and performed his studies abroad, partly in the college of Rheims (if he be the Richard Smith whom I find in the Douay diary sent to Rome in 1586) and partly in that of Rome, where he was made priest. From thence he was sent upon the English mission, and behaved himself in such a manner as justly to acquire the character of a laborious missionary; being withal remarkably successful in bringing home many strayed sheep to the fold of Christ, to which his apostolical way of living did not a little contribute.  He was several times apprehended and cast into prison, and twice banished. His name occurs amongst those who were transported in 1606; at which time, we are told, he took that opportunity of making a pilgrimage to Rome, there to pour forth his prayers at the tombs of the apostles, in behalf of thi...
Post a Comment
Read more