Sunday, January 19, 2020

SAINT CELSUS

St. Celsus

Feastday: April 7

Celsus of Armagh was a layman named Ceallach mac Aedha
Celsus McAedh
Also known as Ceallach or Cellach of Armagh
Born in Ireland in 1079;
Died at Ardpatrick, Munster, Ireland, April 1, 1129;
Feast day formerly celebrated on April 1.

 While still a layman (though perhaps a Benedictine monk of Glastonbury), Ceallach mac Aedha succeeded to the hereditary abbacy of Armagh, Ireland, in 1105 at age 26. He decided, however, to end the scandal of religious houses governed by secular rulers and was ordained.

In 1106, he was consecrated bishop of Armagh, a role in which he effected many reforms to restore ecclesiastical discipline. He ruled well and effectively and played a major role in restoring Armagh as the primatial see of Ireland. He presided over the synod of Rath Bresail in 1111 with Gilbert of Limerick, the papal legate, when normal diocesan and metropolitan organization was established and various liturgical reforms promulgated. This synod was one of many attempts to bring Irish practice into line with that of Western Europe.

Celsus's mediation was often sought between warring Irish factions. Celsus ended the hereditary succession to his see by sending his crozier to and naming Bishop Saint Malachy of Connor, as his successor on his deathbed--a nomination that caused much pain in the see as described in Saint Malachy's biography. The vita of Celsus was written by his friend, Bishop Saint Malachy 

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