Saint Carthage; Mochuda
Abbot, born County Kerry, Ireland, 555; died Lismore, 637.
He spent his youth as a swineherd near Castlemaine, entered a neighboring monastery, studied under Saint Carthage the Elder, and was ordained.
In 580 he built a cell at Kiltallagh where he lived as a hermit.
He founded the monastery of Rahan in Offaly County, c.590, and was consecrated Abbot-Bishop of the Fercal district.
He composed a rule for his monks, a metrical poem of 580 lines, which is one of the most interesting literary treasures of the early Irish Church.
Expelled from Rahan, 635, with 800 of his community, he established a monastery which later became the famous school of Lismore.
Buried in his own church at Lismore.
Feast, 14 May.
New Catholic Dictionary
