November 3 - Saint Malachi - Bishop of Ardmach - 1148 - Clairvaux
Maelmhaedhoc O’Morgair
Maolmhaodhog ua Morgair
Maol Maedoc
Malachy O’Morgair
Malachi
Malachy of Armagh
Máel Máedóc Ua Morgair
Memorial
3 November
2 November in the monastery of Clairvaux
4 November in Ireland
Profile
Son of a teacher; brother of Saint Christian O’Morgair of Clogher. Upon the death of his parents, Malachy entered religious life. Ordained at age 25. Studied under Saint Malchus. Preacher and clerical reformer. Instituted celibacy regulations and other disciplines on the Irish clergy. Re-introduced the use of canonical hour prayers. Abbot at Bangor. Bishop of Connor, Ireland at age 30. Archbishop of Armagh, Ireland at age 35, the chosen successor of Saint Celsus of Armagh. Spiritual teacher of Blessed Christian O’Conarchy.
Malachy replaced the Celtic liturgy (the “Stowe” missal) with the Roman liturgy in an effort to bring uniformity and discipline to the clergy and those in religious life. A miracle worker and healer, he sometimes cured people instantly by laying his hands upon them. Friend of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux who helped him establish the Cistercians in Ireland, wrote a biography of him, and sat with him as he died.
One of Malachy’s great claims to popular fame was his gift of prophesy. While in Rome, Italy in 1139, Malachy received a vision showing him all the Popes from his day to the end of time. He wrote poetic descriptions of each of the pontiffs, presented the manuscript to Pope Innocent II – and it was reportedly forgotten until 1590. It has been in print – and hotly debated, both for authenticity and correctness – ever since. According to these prophecies, there is only one Popes remaining after Benedict XVI. It is most likely a 16th century forgery, but see the quotes below, and have a look at Father Dwight Longnecker‘s column on the prophecies.
Born
1094 at Armagh, Ireland
Died
2 November 1148 at Clairvaux Abbey, France of natural causes
Canonized
6 July 1190 by Pope Clement III
first papal canonization of an Irish saint
Patronage
Armagh, Ireland, archdiocese of
Down and Connor, Ireland, diocese of
Ireland
Representation
presenting an apple to a king and thus restoring his sight
instructing a king in a cell
Irish bishop with a book
bishop encountering the spirit of his dead sister
cybrotius