Saint Comgall

Saint Comgall
Saint Comgall and monks from Bangor Abbey, Bangor harbour mosaic
Born	c. 510–520 Dál nAraidi in Ulster, Magheramorne in County Antrim
Died	597 or 602
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Church Orthodox Church
Feast	10 May

Saint Comgall (c. 510–520 – 597/602), an early Irish saint, was the founder and abbot of the great Irish monastery at Bangor in present-day Northern Ireland.

Comgall was born sometime between 510 and 520 in Dál nAraidi, Ulster according to the Irish annals near the place now known as Magheramorne in present-day County Antrim. Comgall's father was Setna, a Pictish warrior; his mother's name was Briga. After serving as a soldier in his early life, he was educated under Fintan of Clonenagh and also studied under Finnian of Movilla, Mobhí Clárainech at Glasnevin, and Ciarán of Clonmacnoise. He was ordained deacon and priest by Bishop Lugidius, either at Clonmacnoise or Connor. He lived for a while in Ulster on an island on Lough Erne, accompanied by a few friends who followed a severe form of monastic life. The regime was so austere that seven companions died of cold and hunger.

Initially intending to go to Britain, Comgall was dissuaded by Lugidius, the bishop who ordained him, at whose advice he remained in Ireland to spread the monastic life throughout the country. He founded a monastery at Bangor, County Down on the southern shore of Belfast Lough, directly opposite Carrickfergus. According to the Irish annals, Bangor was founded no later than 552, though James Ussher and most of the later writers on the subject assign the foundation to the year 555. Webb places it at 559. He is said to have governed in Bangor and other houses over four thousand monks; all which religious men were employed in tillage or other manual labour. Life in the monasteries was very severe. Food was scant and plain. Herbs, water, and bread was customary. Even milk was considered an indulgence. At Bangor only one meal was allowed, and that not until evening. Confession was in public before the community. Severe acts of penance were frequent. Silence was observed at meals and at other times also, conversation being restricted to the minimum. Fasting was frequent and prolonged.