O.S.B. Father Ignatius

“ A Bardsey man told me the other day when I was at Aberdaron, that he has seen perfect skeletons of tall fine men lying perfect, in five separate layers one above another, which were exposed near the shore of the Island, by the wind and waves. ”

“ Men tried their skill all vainly
To dissipate his fear;
But Rudolph only answered—
“Eternity is near!
They say this life is joyous,
’Tis all too short for me,
I must seek joys that fade not,
Throughout Eternity. ”

“ Upon the mound by Bardsey Sound,
His spirit passed away.
His work was done, his prize was won,
The holy Monk was gone,
To join the virgin song notes,
Before th’ Eternal Throne.
* * * * *
The boy, so beautiful and pure,
Grew up to manhood’s bloom,
And ofttimes visited for prayer
The Blessed Cadfan’s Tomb.
p. 15One night the sun was sinking
Behind the Western wave,
Dubritius was kneeling
Beside St. Cadfan’s grave.
The Compline chants were over,
The twilight almost gone,
The youth was startled by a voice
Which cried—“My son! my son!” ”

“ Ynys Enlli is the old British name for Bardsey, and means “The Island in the Flood.”
[48] See Collier’s Eccles. History, Vol. ii., where an exact parallel to this may be found.
[52] Lord Newborough is the present owner of the Holy Island. Its present inhabitants are without a Church or Clergyman. I have written to him to ask him to give us the Abbey Ruins, promising in return to try and build a little Church and School there, which we would take charge of free of expense to anyone. The good Priest of Aberdaron was much pleased with our proposed plan. ”

“ To cross the dangerous sound. [23b]
The Church at Aberdaron
Is wet with mourners’ tears;
p. 24Dubritius has entered
Upon the Eternal years.
His body rests so calmly
Before the Altar high,
The Priests are softly wailing
The mournful Requiem’s sigh.
Upon the Altar glisten
The waxen tapers tall,
And summer flowers are lying
Upon the snow-white pall.
Sweet Incense clouds are rising
Around the hallowed bier;
From many an eye is falling
The sad, the loving tear.
Dubritius left Bardsey,
His lov’d—his peaceful home,
For fifty years mid war-strife,
This valiant Saint did roam. ”

“ Aberdaron is situated on the mainland of Carnarvonshire, just five miles from Bardsey Island, in its own snug bay shore, just round the last point of the Promontory of Lleyn. It was the starting place of the pilgrims for the Holy Isle.
[11] Barmouth is nearly thirty miles due east of Bardsey, across Cardigan Bay, and quite visible on a clear day. It is a seaport of Merionethshire. ”

“ The parish and vicar are too poor to do any more. I had the privilege of preaching in this holy old temple to a large crowd of peasants last Quinquagesima Sunday.
[23b] I and a friend waited a whole week at Aberdaron this spring, but in vain, waiting for a quiet sea, in order to visit the Holy Isle; which is separated from the mainland by a most dangerous current.
[25] Aberdaron Church was Collegiate in after years, and served by secular Canons.
[27] St. Dubritius attended the Council at Verulam with St. Germanus, and is also said to have been present at the “Alleluiatic Battle.” ”

“ This may seem an anachronism, but it should be remembered that Druidism lingered a long time in Wales, after it was fairly driven from the rest of Britain.
[12b] The Church here is dedicated to St. Cadfan.
[14] St. Dubritius spent much of his early life in Bardsey, and was buried there.
[20] Psalm lxviii.
[23a] The Church of Aberdaron is still standing close to the sea shore, and was roofless and going to decay, until a few years ago the present good vicar re-roofed the holy place, which might easily be restored for worship were £500 collected for the purpose. ”

“ Regula, S. Benedicti, Cap. lvij.
THE HOLY ISLE;
A Legend of Bardsey Abbey. By IGNATIUS, O.S.B.
Dedicated, without permission, to Lord Newborough, and to the
Rev. Hugh Roberts, Vicar of Aberdaron, Carnarvonshire.
LONDON:
G. J. PALMER, 32, LITTLE QUEEN STREET,
LINCOLN’S INN FIELDS.
1870.
p. 1
THE HOLY ISLE.
A Legend of Bardsey Abbey. ”