SAINT BOLCANUS, BISHOP IN IRELAND - 20 FEBRUARY

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN FEBRUARY

Saints celebrated on the 20th of February

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SAINT BOLCANUS, BISHOP IN IRELAND

⬅️ Litany of the Irish Saints

Saint Olcanus (Bolcanus) is commemorated on February 20.

Saint Olcanus, Bishop (February 20)  Like all older legends of Ireland, that of Bishop St Olcan is adorned with the most incredible miracles. The series of them opens his at his birth in the following manner: His mother, who had died of fever, had already been in the grave for seven days when St Patritius [St Patrick] who is said to have been her natural brother, revived her, whereupon she gave birth to this holy son. The baby was immediately baptised by St Patritius, who gave him the name Olcanus, i.e. "the miserable." 

The boy received a good education. When he grew up, he went to Gaul to further his education and after a long time returned to his fatherland (repatreavit). He now opened his own schools, from which emerged several holy bishops. He then built a church at a place called "the Choir", of which he presided as bishop. 

But once he baptised a certain Saranus, who as a personal enemy of St Patritius had been threatened by the latter with the eternal curse. Olcanus feared that he would be killed by him if he refused Saranus' request for baptism. By this deed Olcanus aroused the indignation of the Irish apostle to such an extent that he no longer wanted to listen to him. Olcanus fell at St Patritius' feet, and humbly begged his pardon - in vain, it seemed at first. St Patritius ordered his chariot driver to run the supplicant over if he did not go away. When he refused, Olcanus escaped with a sharp reprimand by St Patritius for having exceeded his jurisdiction. Apart from these details, the legend concludes that Olcanus continued his life in great holiness. His holy death is thought to have occurred around A D. 500. Even after his death he continued to work many miracles. 

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 2, Augsburg, 1858)

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Bolcanus 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.

➡️ Irish Confessors and Martyrs 

Sources of these articles (in the original German): books.google.co.uk, de-academic.com, zeno.org, openlibrary.org