Aug 13 – St Fachtna (6th century) patron of Rosscarbery

13 August, 2012

Summary: St Fachtna; founded a monastery and scripture school in Rosscarbery (Ros Ailithir), is the patron of the Diocese of Ross, and now integrated into the combined diocese of Cork and Ross.

Patrick Duffy explains.

Scripture school
  Toward the end of the sixth century Fachtna founded a monastery and school in the area now known as Rosscarbery (Ros Ailithir – “the wooded headland of the pilgrims”). The School of Ross became a celebrated seat of learning and gained an international reputation for study of sacred scripture and learning until the ninth century when it was besieged and destroyed by the Danes.Brendan, the Navigator, taught in this school, which was crowded with students from every land. It flourished for three hundred years and survived in some form until the coming of the Normans to Ireland. 

Ross diocese
Fachtna is regarded as the first bishop and patron of Ross diocese, which comprises eleven parishes on the seaboard from Timoleague, near Clonakilty, to Aughadown, west of Skibereen, as well as Oileán Cléire and Sherkin Island. Though not listed among the dioceses set up by the Synods of Rathbreasail (1111) or Kells (1152). He died around 600. His monastery became the principal monastery of west Cork and later had a famous Scripture school.

Pope Celestine III appointed Daniel Bishop of Ross in 1197 and the diocese had its own bishop from the 12th century until 1693, when it was united with Cork and Cloyne. In 1849 the diocese regained its own  bishop, but in 1954 was united with Cork diocese.

Influence

The description of Saint Fachtna in Cuimin of Connor’s poem on the characteristic virtues of the Irish saints is:

Fachtna, the generous and steadfast, loved

To instruct the crowds in concert,

He never spoke that which was mean,

Nor aught but what was pleasing to his Lord.

Fachtna is a favoured name for Catholic boys from this area. There is a Catholic church dedicated to St Fachtna in the picturesque village of Glandore. A stained-glass window of St Fachtna by Sarah Purser appears in the Honan Chapel in University College, Cork. (c/f upper left image)

A Church of Ireland Cathedral dedicated to him remains in the village of Rosscarbery. His feast is held today, August 13th.

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Memorable Proverb for Today

The mediocre teacher tells.
The good teacher explains.
The superior teacher demonstrates.
The great teacher inspires.

~ William Arthur Ward ~

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