Saint Mel of Ardagh

detail of the pedimental sculpture of the portico of Saint Mel's Cathedral, Longford, County Longford, Ireland; sculpted by George Smyth prior to 1927; photographed on 23 August 2019 by Andreas F Borchert; swiped from Wikimedia CommonsAlso known as

  • Mael
  • Melchno
  • Melis

Memorial

Profile

Son of Conis and Saint Darerca, one of their nineteen children. Brother of Saint Melchu. Nephew of Saint Patrick. Travelled with Patrick and helped evangelize Ireland. Ordained bishop of Ardagh, Ireland by Patrick. Reputed to have professed Saint Brigid of Ireland as a nun. He supported himself by working with his hands, and gave to the poor anything beyond the bare minimum.

Because Mel lived with his aunt, Lupait, and helped on her farm, slanderous gossip developed about their relationship. Patrick came to investigate. To prove that God was on their side, Mel and Lupait each prayed for help and then performed a miracle – Mel plowed up a live fish from the farm land, and Lupait packed around a live coal without being burned.

Born

  • British Isles

Died

  • c.489 of natural causes

Canonized

Patronage

Additional Information

MLA Citation

  • “Saint Mel of Ardagh“. CatholicSaints.Info. 2 February 2023. Web. 16 April 2024. <>