Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
Life of St. Declan of Ardmore (Author: Patrick Power)
chapter 28
At that time there broke out a dreadful plague
in Munster and it
was more deadly in Cashel than elsewhere. Thus it affected those
whom it attacked: it first changed their colour to yellow and then
killed them. Now Aongus had, in a stone fort called 'Rath na
nIrlann,' on the western side of Cashel, seven noble hostages. It
happened that in one and the same night they all died of the plague.
The king was much affected thereat and he gave orders to have the
fact concealed lest it should bring disgrace or even war upon him,
for the hostages were scions of the strongest and most powerful
families in Munster. On the morrow however Declan came to Cashel and
talked with Aonghus. The king welcomed him heartily and addressing
him said to him in presence of persons of his court, 'I pray you,
Declan, servant of God, that
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in the name of Christ you would raise to life for me the seven hostages whom I held in bondage from the
chieftains of Munster. They have died from the plague of which you
hear, and I fear their fathers will raise war and rebellion against
me, for they are men of strength and power, and indeed we are ashamed
of their death, for they will say that it is we ourselves who killed
them.' Declan answered the king, saying to him:Such a matter as
thisto raise one to life from deathbelongs to Omnipotence
alonebut I shall do whatever is in my power. I go where the bodies
lie and pray to God for them and let Him do in their regard what
seems best to Him. Next, Declan, with a multitude and his disciples
together with the king's councillors, went to the place where the
corpses of the young men lay. The king followed after them until he
came in sight of the bodies. Declan, full of divine faith, entered
the house wherein they lay and he sprinkled holy water over them and
prayed for them in the presence of all, saying:O Lord Jesus
Christ, only Son of the living God, for thine own name's sake wake
the dead that they may be strengthened in the Catholic faith through
our instrumentality. Thereupon, at Declan's prayer, the group (of
corpses) revived and they moved their eyelids and Declan said to them
In the name of Christ, our Saviour, stand up and bless and glorify
God. And at his words they rose up immediately and spoke to all.
Declan then announced to the king that they were alive and well.
When people saw this remarkable miracle they all gave glory and
praise to God. The fame of Declan thereupon spread throughout Erin
and the king rejoiced for restoration of his hostages.