Saint of the Day

Jan 3 – St Munchin (Mainchin), c7th Century

St Munchin, ( Mainchin) bishop, abbot is the patron saint of the diocese of Limerick. He is known only from Dalcassian genealogies and seems to have been born in Dal Cais, where a parish and old graveyard Cell Mainchin (Kilmanaheen) existed. In the seventh century he was granted Inis Sibtonn (Ibton) in the tidal waters of Limerick, in the region of which he founded a church and had a thriving religious community. He was often referred as Munchin the wise.

Mainchín mac Setnai (fl. late 6th century), also anglicised to Munchin, was allegedly the founder of the church of Luimneach, Ireland, and a saint in Irish tradition, acquiring special eminence as patron of Limerick City. Both his origins and the date of his association with the city are debated. He is also the patron saint of Brug Ríg, now Bruree, the former royal seat of the Uí Fidgenti.

St Munchin’s Church of Ireland, King’s Island, Limerick

Through his father Sétna, Mainchín is alleged to belong to the Dál Cais, given a pedigree linking him to the ancestors of the O’Brien dynasty. His tutor was the Corco Mruad saint Mac Creiche according to the Life of that saint. Mainchín is said to have founded Luimneach when Ferdomnach, king from the Dál Cais, granted him land at Inis Sibtond. He was often referred to as Munchin the Wise. but he is commonly known as Maincin, or little monk. When he was granted Inis Sibtonn in the tidal waters of Limerick, he founded a church and had a thriving community.

In the Martyrology of Donegal, Mainchín’s feast day occurs on 29 December. In Bruree, his feast day is commemorated on 2 Jan., The Roman Martyrology also lists Jan. 2 as Mainchín of Limerick’s memorial.

(History note: A major problem with the above is that the Dál Cais themselves are unknown by that name before the 930s and are believed by scholars to be the descendants of a Déisi population which migrated into the region at an uncertain period. Before the Dál Cais the greater region appears to have been dominated for a time by another people entirely, the Uí Fidgenti, who eventually found themselves much displaced by the Dál Cais in the second half of the 10th century and following, although after having previously overrun many of the Déisi themselves in the very same territories.)

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Memorable Quote of St Munchin ‘the Wise‘

Wise people do not always say out loud every thing they think
but think before everything they say.

~ Rumi ~

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Jan 3 – St Geneviève of Paris (c.422-500)

Summary : St Geneviève The Pantheon (image below right) is one of the most famous buildings in Paris. St Geneviève was buried there and it was later dedicated in her honour as the protectress and patroness of the city.

Patrick Duffy tells her story.

Childhood and religious life

Born at Nanterre near Paris, Geneviève met St Germanus of Auxerre and confided in him her desire to live only for God. On the death of her parents she moved to Paris. Here at fifteen she received the veil from the bishop of Paris and lived a life of penance and works of charity.

Siege of Paris
During the siege of Paris by Childeric and

the Franks, Geneviève is said to have led an expedition to bring provisions up the River Seine from Troyes. In this she was an inspiration to other Parisians and she was honoured as the protectress and patroness of the city. At her request they are said to have built a church in honour of St Denis (See 9 October).

Averting Attila and the Huns
When Attila and the Huns were approaching the city, Geneviève assured the people of protection from heaven and persuaded the citizens to prepare by prayer and fasting. The Huns changed their route and turned towards Orleans and Paris was spared.

Respected by Clovis I
Clovis I, the son of Childeric, also respected her and released prisoners at her request. She influenced him also to become a Christian and begin building the Church of SS Peter and Paul. It was here she was buried and the fame of the miracles worked at her tomb led to the church being called St Geneviève’s.

The Interior of the Paris Pantheon

Popular Devotion to Geneviève
In 1129 during a fever epidemic a casket containing the bones of the saint was carried in solemn procession to the cathedral. When Paris became capital of France, devotion to her grew and her church was rebuilt in the neo-

classical style. It was secularised and called the Pantheon, but devotion to her continued. Puvis de Chavannes painted frescoes of her life around the Pantheon in 1877, which still remain today.

Patron of French Security Forces
In times of drought, flooding and other disasters Geneviève is still invoked. For her part in assuring the safety of Paris, she was proclaimed patron of French Security Forces. This was confirmed by Pope John XXIII in 1962.

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Memorable quote for today

“Focusing upon the positive by counting your blessings, in the fertile time before you fall asleep and an invitation to both your subconscious mind and your pre-conscious mind to use your dreams as a way to show you insights, solutions and new creative ideas.”

~ St Geneviève of Paris ~

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