From Rothe’s Analecta, p395

He was native of Limerick. 

In his youth he had charge of the sale of saffron and other aromatic herbs in a merchant’s shop. Once he perceived that bags of saffron were damp. His conscience fearing there might be wrong done to the buyers, he set out the plant to dry in the sun, lest his soul might suffer from the addition in its weight. 

He was worried by the thought of the dangers to which those in trade are exposed in buying, managing, and selling their wares. [2] He considered saffron and cinnamon and all other precious balsams as dirt, that he might gain Christ.[3]

Abandoning this trade, he devoted himself to study and piety, to engage in another trade, of that precious pearl, the great value of which is set forth in the Gospel,[4] he sold all he possessed in order to purchase it.

As soon as he was freed from the service of the merchant he gave forth an odour of balm and ambrosia. 

‘I gave forth a sweet fragrance like cinnamon and aromatic balm; I yielded a sweetness of odour like the choicest myrrh.’[5]

To him might be applied the words of St. Basil:

‘As the sweet smelling herbs diffuse through the surrounding air a peculiar fragrance which refreshes those who are near, so a good man is useful and agreeable to all who dwell in his neighbourhood.’ 

This he showed in reference to those with whom he was in daily intercourse. 

Once he was about to sail from Spain, where he'd gone on business, he entered a church and as Mass was just commencing, he assisted at it to its close. 

When he came out, the ship in which he was to sail was clearing the harbour with a favourable wind. But while still within sight of shore, she was struck by a gust and sunk.[6]

He went and devoted himself to the study of polite literature in the famous University of Louvain.[7]

When he had gone through the course of philosophy and taken the degree of Master of Arts, he devoted himself wholly to sacred theology, and after passing some years in that study, he was found worthy to receive the degree of Bachelor.

He was a priest when he returned from abroad. He zealously, exhorted in private, preached in public, performed all the duties of a priest; he warned all earnestly against the oath asserting the ecclesiastical primacy claimed by the Queen, against all communication with schismatical officials.

He devoted to the training of youth in virtuous practices whatever time he could spare, bearing in mind what St. lrenus remarked:

‘The knowledge of what we have learned in our youth grows with our growth, and is firmly fixed in our soul.’  ‘A young man according to his way; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.’[8]

He opened a school and taught. ‘What greater or better service can we render to the state than to teach and instruct youth,’ says the father of Roman eloquence.

For as the ruin of town and country alike is brought about the neglect or improper performance of this duty, so the common weal is promoted by its proper discharge. For how can the country be secure, how will its government be good, unless its rulers are good? And how can magistrates be good unless the citizens from whom they are chosen are good too? 

And these cannot be so unless they are virtuous in their childhood and in their youth.’ 

Our

Please pray for final perseverance for all of us!
May the martyrs of old inspire us all.