March 26th - St. Macartin of Clogher, Bishop

[Rich]

March 26th - St. Macartin of Clogher, Bishop
(also known as Macartan, MacCartan, Maccarthen)

Died c. 505; feast day formerly March 24. Saint Macartin (in Irish is Aedh mac Carthin) was an early disciple and companion of Saint Patrick during the latter's missions into pagan territory. He is said to have been consecrated bishop of Clogher in Tyrone by Patrick in 454. It is said that Saint Brigid, Macartin's niece, was present at the founding of the see.

Macartin is also one of the earliest Irish saints to be known as a miracle-worker. His holiness is revealed not so much by any vita, which are non-existent, but by the high veneration in which he is held. Saint Bede records that the earth was taken from his grave as holy relics. His Office is the only one to survive from an Irish source.

A reliquary, called the Great Shrine of Saint Mac Cairthinn, which was designed to contain relics of the True Cross as well as his bones, has been altered over the centuries but still survives as the "Domnach Airgid" in the National Museum. It's inner yew box was given to Macartin by Patrick together with the latter's episcopal staff and Bible.

The Cloch-Oir (Golden Stone), from which this ancient diocese takes its name, was a sacred ceremonial stone to the druids, It was given to Macartin by an old pagan noble, who had harassed Macartin in every possible way until the saint's patient love won the local ruler to the faith. The stone is still preserved and the noble's son, Tighernach of Clones, succeed Macartin as bishop (Benedictines, D'Arcy, Farmer, Healy, Kenney, Montague, Muirhead, Needham).


Quote:
May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.
(Franciscan blessing)

Bible Quote:
Woe to the worthless shepherd that leaveth the flock! The sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye; his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye utterly darkened. (Zech 11:17)


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A Mother's Plea

Oh, Mother of Perpetual Help,
To you I send my plea,
Look down upon my beloved son.
Take care of him for me.
And when he's blue and sick at heart,
Discouraged and oppressed,
Give him the will to carry on,
In heaven's grace to rest.
Show unto him a Mother's love,
As you have shown to me.
Bringing comfort to his lonely heart
Is mine, his mother's plea.

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The third glorious mystery prayer of the Eucharistic Rosary,
to be offered before the Blessed Sacrament:

The Decent of the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles, offered for
the gifts of the Holy Ghost, for love of God and zeal for the
salvation of souls:

O Jesus, scarcely hadst Thou entered into Thy glory at the
right hand of the Father, when Thou didst show Thy
munificence by sending forth the Holy Ghost with His many
and various gifts to Thy growing Church. From the
Eucharist, as if from another heaven, wherein Thou hast set
up Thy throne of love, Thou dost impart to souls the spirit of
life and strength, and Thou dost enkindle in them the fire of
Thy divine charity.

O Jesus, King in heaven, King also in the Eucharist, we adore
Thee and we beg of Thee, through the intercession of Thy
holy Mother, fidelity to grace in order to reap all the fruits
produced in the souls of men by the gifts of the Holy Ghost.

Imprimatur: + John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York,
Sept 19, 1908.