St Bernard of Clairvaux

Life of St. Malachy of Armagh (Dodo Press) St Bernard of Clairvaux

St. Malachy Mael Maedoc Ua Morgair (1094-1148) was the Archbishop of Armagh, to whom were attributed several miracles and a vision of the identity of the last 112 Popes. He was Canonised by Pope Clement III, in 1199, the first Irish Saint to be Canonised. St. Bernard describes him as having noble birth. He was baptized Mael Maedoc and was trained under Imhar O'Hagan, subsequently Abbot of Armagh. After a long course of studies he was ordained priest by St. Cellach (Celsus) in 1119. In order to perfect himself in sacred liturgy and theology, he proceeded to Lismore, where he spent nearly two years under St. Malchus. He was then chosen Abbot of Bangor, in 1123. A year later, he was consecrated Bishop of Connor, and, in 1132, he was promoted to the primacy of Armagh. St. Bernard gives us many interesting anecdotes regarding St. Malachy, and highly praises his zeal for religion both in Connor and Armagh. On the death of St. Celsus (who was buried at Lismore in 1129), St. Malachy was appointed Archbishop of Armagh, 1132, which dignity he accepted with great reluctance.