Irish America

Irish America

Rosemary Rogers

St. Ailbe of Emly

By Rosemary Rogers
IA Newsletter, August 10, 2024

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Patron of Wolves | Feast Day September 12th St. Ailbe, sometimes known by his anglicized name, St. Elvis, was a 6th-century saint born in County Tipperary. The name Ailbe is derived from the old Irish words Ail (rock) and beo (alive) since as a newborn, the saint was discovered alive under a rock where he had been hidden… by a wolf. Ailbe was the illegitimate offspring of a … [Read more...] about St. Ailbe of Emly

St. Kevin of Glendalough

By Rosemary Rogers
IA Newsletter, July 27, 2024

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Patron of Ireland | 498-618 | Feast Day June 3rd Since no biography of this holy hermit was written until 600 years after his death, the facts of his long life (120 years!) are scarce. Kevin, his name anglicized from Coemgen or ‘of blessed birth’ was born of the royal line of the kingdom of Leinster. Educated by monks, Kevin, while still a boy, vowed to spend his life in … [Read more...] about St. Kevin of Glendalough

St. Dymphna: The Lily of Eire

By Rosemary Rogers
IA Newsletter July 6, 2024

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PATRON OF THE MENTALLY ILL; INVOKED AGAINST INCEST, DEPRESSION, STRESS, INSANITY, AND SLEEPWALKING. In Belgium, near the town of Geel, can be found one of Europe’s largest and most progressive hospitals for the care and cure of the emotionally disturbed. It was founded on the site of Saint Dymphna’s martyrdom and is named in her honor. Dymphna, born in the 7th century, was … [Read more...] about St. Dymphna: The Lily of Eire

St. Malachy, the Miracle Worker and Prophet

By Rosemary Rogers
IA Newsletter, June 8, 2024

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St. Malachy 1094-1148 | Patron of Armagh | Feast Day, November 3 St. Malachy O’More or Mael Maedoc u Morgair was born into a noble family in Armagh, Ireland, in 1095. He first trained under the famous recluse Imhar O’Hagan and, later St. Cellach who joined Malachy in replacing Celtic liturgy with that of the Roman church. In his lifetime, Malachy was a hermit, priest, … [Read more...] about St. Malachy, the Miracle Worker and Prophet

St. Fiacre of Breuil

By Rosemary Rogers
IA Newsletter, June 22, 2024

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St. Fiarce 600-670 AD | Feast Day, September 1 | Patron of cabdrivers and gardeners Because a hackney stand in Paris was located in front of a hotel named in honor of this Saint, French taxis are called “fiacres.” Thus, Fiacre is the Patron of cabbies. By a lucky coincidence, “fic” (meaning “fig”) is a French slang term for hemorrhoids—a common complaint of taxi drivers, … [Read more...] about St. Fiacre of Breuil