Erin, The Twelve Apostles of
Erin, The Twelve Apostles of
Irish saints of the sixth century, who studied at the school of Clonard, Meath; although not apostles, strictly speaking, they were so called by ancient Irish writers. They are said to have been:
Ciaran of Saighir (Seir-Kieran),
Ciaran of Clonmacnoise,
Brendan of Birr,
Brendan of Clonfert,
Columba of Tirda-glast (Terryglass),
Ruadhan of Lorrha,
Senan of Iniscathay (Scattery Island),
Columba of Iona,
Mobht of Glasnevin,
Ninnidh the Saintly of Loch Erne,
Lasserian mac Nadfraech, and
Canice of Aghaboe.
Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary
Erin, The Twelve Apostles of
By this designation are meant twelve holy Irishmen of the sixth century who went to study at the School of Clonard in Meath. About the year 520 St. Finian founded his famous school at Cluain-Eraird (Eraird’s Meadow), now Clonard, and thither flocked saints and learned men from all parts of Ireland. In his Irish life it is said that the average number of scholars under instruction at Clonard was 3,000, and a stanza of the hymn for Lauds in the office of St. Finian runs as follows: Trium virorum millium, Sorte fit doctor humilis; Verbi his fudit fluvium Ut fons emanans rivulis. The Twelve Apostles of Erin, who came to study at the feet of St. Finian, at Clonard, on the banks of the Boyne and Kinnegad Rivers, are said to have been St. Ciaran of Saighir (Seir-Kieran) and St. Ciaran of Clonmacnois; St. Brendan of Birr and St. Brendan of Clonfert; St. Columba of Tir-da-glasí (Terryglass) and St. Columba of Iona; St. Mobhí of Glasnevin; St. Ruadhan of Lorrha; St. Senan of Iniscathay (Scattery Island); St. Ninnidh the Saintly of Loch Erne; St. Lasserian mac Nadfraech, and St. Canice of Aghaboe. Though there were many other holy men educated at Clonard who could claim to be veritable apostles, the above twelve are regarded by old Irish writers as “The Twelve Apostles of Erin”. They are not unworthy of the title, for all were indeed apostles, whose studies were founded on the Sacred Scriptures as expounded by St. Finian. In the hymn from St. Finian’s office we read: Regressus in Clonardiam Ad cathedram lecturae Apponit diligentiam Ad studium scripturae. The great founder of Clonard died 12 December 549, according to the “Annals of Ulster”, but the Four Masters give the year as 548, whilst Colgan makes the date 563. His patronal feast is observed on 12 December.
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W.H. GRATTAN FLOOD Transcribed by Joseph and Marie Gallagher With gratitude for the kind assistance of the Central Catholic Library, Merrion Square, Dublin, Ireland.
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume ICopyright © 1907 by Robert Appleton CompanyOnline Edition Copyright © 2003 by K. KnightNihil Obstat, March 1, 1907. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., CensorImprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York