Saint Malachy
Archbishop of Armagh, reformer of the Irish Church and friend of St Bernard
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Bishop
- Life
- 1094 – 1148
- Era
- 12th century
- Feast
- 3 November
- Countries
- Ireland, France
Life story
Malachy was born in 1094 at Armagh, Ireland. He was influenced by Archbishop Cellach, who ordained him a priest. He studied at Lismore and afterwards devoted himself to reforming Church life, which was still affected by local family dynasties. In 1124 he became abbot of Bangor and was chosen bishop of Down and Connor, where he restored discipline and brought the celebration of the liturgy into line with Roman practice.
In 1132 he succeeded as archbishop of Armagh, despite opposition from those who held the office by family custom. A few years later he resigned and returned to his former diocese. He travelled to Rome in 1139, where Pope Innocent II made him papal legate for Ireland, and on the way he met Bernard at Clairvaux, beginning a lasting friendship. He brought Cistercian monks to Ireland, and the abbey of Mellifont was founded in 1142.
Malachy returned to Clairvaux in 1148 on a journey toward Rome and died there on 2 November, in Bernard's arms. Bernard wrote his biography and preached at his funeral. Pope Clement III canonised him in 1190, the first Irish-born saint formally canonised by Rome. A Prophecy of the Popes is attributed to him, but most scholars regard it as a sixteenth-century forgery. The Church keeps his feast on 3 November. His reforms included bringing Roman liturgical chant to his diocese and building a stone oratory at Bangor in the continental manner, according to Bernard's account of his life.
Works and witness
- Bishop of Down and Connor from 1124
- Archbishop of Armagh from 1132
- Went to Rome in 1139 and was made papal legate for Ireland
- Helped found Mellifont Abbey in 1142
- Died at Clairvaux in 1148; canonised in 1190
Saints from the same country
References
- Bernard of Clairvaux, Vita sancti Malachiae
- Martyrologium Romanum
- Dicastery for the Causes of Saints – biographical profile
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.