Saints don’t sit on the fence or join the hunt
He built a monastery at Ferns, Co Wexford, and was consecrated bishop circa 598. Aidan, who died in 626AD, is principal patron of the diocese of Ferns, and is also titular of the cathedral. His bell and shrine are in the National Museum, Dublin.
Today (January 31) is his feast day, which is kept as “a double of the first class,” to use ecclesiastical language. A crusade of prayer to Aidan and all saints who saved hunted creatures is the need of the moment.
Tomorrow is the feast of St Brigid - ‘Mary of the Gael’ - who is said to have kept a fox among her pets.
We go to church on February 3, the feast of St Blaise, also a bishop, to have our throats blessed and implore the saint’s intercession to keep us free of all illnesses. Blaise is also involved in the struggle against bloodsports and is regarded as being the first of the animal rights activists.
His cave dwelling was discovered by hunters who gave the information which led to the saint’s capture, torture and martyrdom. Blaise is said to have had the first dispensary for sick animals.
There is also St Hubert. Bloodsports are promoted in his name, are they not? If theft were promoted in the name of St Dismas, penitent thief, how would we react?
In truth, St Hubert is invoked to promote a lifestyle which he renounced. If huntsmen followed his example there would be no need for the anti-bloodsport campaign, or for St Vincent de Paul and similar movements.
On his conversion, Hubert renounced his pleasure and gave his money to the poor. How much is spent on the persecution of animals for pleasure? How much on the relief of human suffering? To invoke him as patron of what he renounced is one of the greatest con-tricks ever foisted on the gullible and uneducated.
Let us not be fooled.
Bríd ní Barói
5 Ascail Tireoghan
Portlairge
