Subj : April 27th - St. Machald of Man To : All From : rich Date : Fri Apr 26 2019 08:39:43 From: rich April 27th - St. Machald of Man =C2 (Also known as Manghold or Machaldus) d. 498) There are very many ways of spelling his name from MacCaille, through Maccul and the Latin Machaldus, to Maughold, as he is called in the Isle of Man. In the life of St. Patrick, we meet him as the leader of a band of brigands, who preyed on travellers and had no respect for either this missionary bishop or the God whom he proclaimed. When Patrick was at Saul, Machald and his desperadoes hatched a little plot. One of them, named Garban, would pretend to be dead, be covered with a cloak, and would lie by the side of the road. When Patrick came by, Machald would beg him to pray over the corpse, and as he uncovered the body, the whole band would set upon him. The stratagem did not go as they had planned. When the cloak was raised Garban was really dead. The shock to the robbers was immense, and they fell before the good bishop, confessing their guilt and beseeching him for their comrade. St. Patrick prayed over them and Garban was restored to life. They were ordered to return their ill gotten gains to their rightful owners, and Machald, who had asked for a more severe penance, was told to chain himself to a boat, row out to sea and, having cast away the oars and the key of his fetters, allow himself to be driven to whatever land God should choose. Machald obeyed, and he was washed up in a bay on the Isle of Man, where two Christian missionaries, Conindrus and Romulus, had their settlement. Previously that day, they had caught a fish, in which was the key that could unlock Machald's manacles, so he shared the holy men's abode and became their servant. They taught him letters, and eventually he was ordained a priest. When Germanus, whom Patrick later sent to evangelize the island, died, Conindrus became Bishop of Man, and Machald succeeded him as third bishop. To him is ascribed the division of the island into 17 parishes, and he is reputed to have visited Scotland and Wales, although he never returned to Ireland. He died ten years after St. Patrick and was buried at the church that bears his name, where there is still a great Celtic Cross. In the churchyard there was, for many years, a stone coffin, which held crystal clear water, which was much prized by the islanders for healing various diseases but it was later destroyed by the Danes. The Chronicles of Man, written by the monks of Rushen Abbey on the island, and now in the British Museum, records how once a Viking, after a battle at Ramsey, planned to rob the church, but that night was visited by St. Machald, who struck him 3 times on his chest with his staff. He died from a heart attack, and his companions sailed away hurriedly. The ancient arms of the diocese used to portray a bishop standing in a boat, with a star and key above him. St. Machald is revered as the main patron of the Isle of Man (Baring-Gould, Bowen). Isle of Man web site=C2 http://www.gov.im/mnh/ Reflection: Endeavor so to act as you would wish to have acted when you stand before the Judge of your eternity. This is the rule of the Saints, and the only safe rule for all. Saint Quote: Grace has been given mystically to those who have been baptized into Christ; and it becomes active within them to the extent that they actively observe the commandments. Grace never ceases to help us secretly; but to do good--as far as lies in our power--depends on us. -- Saint Mark the Ascetic Bible Quote: "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." (Hosea 6:6 ) <<>><<>> A morning prayer: I wish to consecrate this day and all the days of my life to Thy honor and glory, O God. All ye holy Angels and Saints of God, and especially you, my dear patron Saint, pray for me!=C2 May the Lord bless me, preserve me from all evil,= and bring me to life everlasting.=C2 May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. V. Eternal rest give to them, O Lord; R. And let perpetual light shine upon them. <><><><> GOODNIGHT MY ANGEL Good-night, my Guardian Angel The day has sped away; Well spent or ill, its story is written down for aye And now of Gods kind providence Thou image pure and bright, Watch over me while im sleeping My Angel dear, good night! Amen. --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2 * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4) .