> From: Maeve B. Callan [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
>
> Was there much of a cult surrounding Oengus, or was it a case of
> contagious sanctity, attributed to him because he wrote about saints
> (there could be hope for me yet . . . )? How fitting if it's the
> latter, since the original impetus for his work was a grave covered
> in angels, an honor awarded not for the dead man's virtues but
> because he recorded saints' stories.
>
I am not aware of any stories about Oengus' sanctity. If memory
serves, a number of monastic figures in early Ireland were considered saints
simply on the basis of their literary accomplishments. And, if one considers
the context, then this makes sense. In the pre-Christian tradition, poetic
skill was thought to be acquired through mystical connection with the Other
World which was thought to fill the poet with imbas--called the "light that
illumines" in one text. In medieval Irish Christian thought, imbas came to
be identified with the Holy Spirit or with Christ as "the light of the
world." Consequently, to have accomplished the task of writing a poetic
martyrology, Oengus, by definition, would have to be on very good terms with
at least two out of three Persons of the Trinity. Sounds like a good case
for sainthood--on those terms, of course.
Also, among the Ce/li De/, all of the early reformers were
considered saints, by definition.
It's been a while since I read
his Martyrology, but I don't remember much about him being
particularly holy, and I believe there's even a question as to
whether or not he was a Culdee.
Subsequently, several texts--including the Saltair na Rann or
metrical version of the beginning of Genesis--were attributed to Oengus.
These attributions have since been disproven. But I don't think anyone
currently disputes his association with Tallaght or the Ce/li De/. The
bishop and abbot stuff is later and not to be trusted.
<snip>
> Good eyes, Francine!
>
Thanks!
Francine
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