Saint Caimin

Alfred Webb

1878

Caimin, Saint, abbot of Inishcaltra, Lough Derg, was a brother of Guaire, King of Connaught. He chose the life of an anchorite, and attracted large numbers to his island retreat by his piety and learning. A commentary on the 119th Psalm in his own hand is said to have been in the Franciscan convent of Donegal in Ware's days. His greatest desire was "that if the church were thronged with sick and infirm, he would wish, were he able, to take all their infirmities on himself, and bear them for the love of God and his neighbour." He died about 653. His festival is the 24th of March.

Sources

119. Ecclesiastical History of Ireland: Rev. John Lanigan. 4 vols. Dublin, 1822.

234. Martyrology of Donegal: Edited by J. H. Todd, D.D., and William Reeves, D.D. (I.A.S.) Dublin, 1864.

339. Ware, Sir James, Works: Walter Harris. 2 vols. Dublin, 1764.

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