Check out these where to meet women images:
How I Met Michael Jackson
Image by Shavar Ross
Written and uploaded: November 1, 2005
©by ShavarRoss.com
This is a true and accurate account from my experiences meeting Michael Jackson. It is not meant to degrade or character bash him in any way. To a certain extent, I am still very much a fan of Michael Jackson. You must draw your own conclusions as to the true purpose or nature of me revealing this story. Either way, it’s all therapeutic for me and I’ve always wanted to share this, one of many amazing stories from my life.
Now don’t you go run and tell everyone what I’m about to mention to you. Only kidding…um, I think. Anyway, in the short 34 years of my amazing life, I have experienced a heck of a lot. So far my life has been one of fame, fortune and fun. I have also experienced many dangerous and perilous times in my life….the near death experiences, the confusion and the lack of peace. Ah, those were the days. I’ve come to learn that life is like a movie…you’re its star, there’s always someone watching and if you’re a "good guy," you always win.
I”ve also had the opportunity to meet and actually spend some valuable time with a lot of famous people. I’ve prepared for a scene with Oprah Winfrey, "read lines" with First Lady Nancy Reagan, performed on stage with "Mr. Television" himself, Milton Berle, played pick-up ball with Denzel Washington, slept over Nina Simone’s house, compared hand sizes with Mike Tyson, walked the halls of Muhammad Ali’s mansion, took a picture with Sidney Poitier, and even jammed on drums as Clarence Clemens from Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band blew away on his saxophone. I have been around, lol!
Now the ONE person I really got nervous about meeting was Michael Jackson. So here goes this story. I’ll try not to be too long so hold on to your coffee!
Alright, the photo above is a photo of when my father used to work for Joe Jackson’s (Michael Jackson’s father) music company (in the old Motown Building on Sunset Blvd.) back in the mid 1980′s. My dad was always trying to manage my career, his career, and just about anyone who would give him a chance to prove himself a true hustler—from The Bronx. He was a "mover and a shaker" as they say, and it always seemed like everyone knew my father. Somehow, someway, he ended up workin’ for the "King of Pop’s" pop.
I actually met Michael Jackson twice. The first time was at his home in Encino, California when I was about 11. My dad was good friends with singer Betty Wright at the time. Anyway, she ‘s the "Clean-Up Woman." She also had a short comeback in the late 80′s with a song called "No Pain, No Gain."
Betty wanted to drop a music demo tape off to Michael so I went along for the ride. I remember us waiting at the front entrance of his home (in Encino, California) and he actually came out to the running car to pick up the tape, lol. All I remember was that thick, big, red robe he wore and that high-pitched voice. Man, he and Diana Ross sure did sound alike! End of episode 1.
Gosh this is long already, I must write a book…I will right a book!
Episode 2. Jump cut to: I was 14, so 1985-ish. The Roxy on The Sunset Strip in Hollywood, California. The whole Jackson siblings are seated in the balcony to preview Joe Jackson’s hottest new kid group— an almost complete replicated version of The Jackson 5. The place is jumpin’ and I’m there, in the middle of it all.
Look, over there, oh snap! There’s my friend Alfonso Ribeiro, The Tap Dance Kid and hot off the Pepsi commercial he did with Michael. Boy, can he dance. He’ll always be Carlton from "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" to some though.
Back to past tense.
Anyway, I had heard that Janet Jackson was there (in the balcony) and since we were friends from the show "Diff’rent Strokes," I asked Alfonso if he could take me up there to her and also introduce me to Michael…again! Like it wasn’t nothin’, and after getting through some heavy security, I arrived with Alfonso to that balcony…oh that balcony, I’ll never forget it! They were all there. Rebi, Latoya, Janet and the King of Pop himself–and all strangely giggling amongst themselves. Must’ve been "inside" jokes. They were like kids. I couldn’t believe my eyes, that I was in Michael’s presence, so I froze. Alfonso grabbed me and pushed me towards Janet as if he were forcing his best friend to go to the high school prom with his dateless sister. She didn’t notice me right away but guess who did? Michael screeched in a high pitched voice, "Oh I remember you, you’re on the show with Janet, right?" He called out to his sister, "Janet guess who’s here? it’s your little friend Dudley…" After Janet and I had a nice reunion, I got to meet Latoya and their other sister Rebi. Then, uh oh…the show is starting! (present tense) "What should I do?" I thought.
Lights out. Then, like a movie playing itself out:
Michael:
(to Shavar)
Come sit down, sit down, watch the show with us.
Chairs pull up. Hmmmm…how did Alfonso find his seat so quickly. "He’s been up here before" I thought. Michael surprisingly pulls up a chair for me! Wow, I’m stunned! Lights even darker now. Intro. Applause. Music. The show starts. Why it’s The Jackson 5 all over again. No where near as good though.
My only goal: To get one good look at Michael Jackson before the night is over! I am literally sitting RIGHT next to him and mind you, this was the mid 1980′s. Michael was HOT at the time. In between the strobe and spot lights, I glance at him. It’s unreal! I mean, HE’S unreal…literally. He had what looked to be the perfect face, yet so porcelain, so surreal. I got a bit scared and nervous.
For the whole set I just stared at him, in such awe of this man so famous to the world. I tried to figure out how his powerful influence could have so many people ridiculously in tears, sobbing and crying hysterically in his concerts.
For a brief moment, Michael must have felt me hawking my eyes at him. I just couldn’t help it.
Michael:
(to Shavar again)
Could you move to the left just a little bit. I can’t see.
He DID seem to really be enjoying the show….and that imitation Jackson 5 performing? I could care less! I was sitting next to Michael Jackson!
And lastly, to make a long story even longer, the boring show finally came to an end but surprisingly to an almost standing ovation! Standing ovation? What? Was Michael standing too? More giggles.
Smash cut to: Kid imitation Jackson 5 group coming up to the balcony to meet Michael! Michael inviting them to his home AND to Disneyland. Close up: Me hearing it all.
Silence. Waiting for my invite. Silence again. Nothing. No nice meeting you, no nothing. I turned my head for a quick second to look for Alfonso and the Jackson Clan had disappeared! Poof! Like right out of thin air! That’s when I realized that celebrities have an art to their grand exits. It’s all very stealth. Then the announcer said something to the effect that Michael, Janet, Latoya and Rebbie had "left the building." Depression, dejection, rejection and everything else you can fill in seem to settle into my 14 year old heart. I was devastated. Michael didn’t invite me to his DisneyWorld.
I finally found Alfonso. "You didn’t go?", I asked intently. "Why didn’t he invite us?" I hammered Alfonso again. "Oh ’cause we too old man…we teenagers now and if you over 12, he don’t like you no more," replied Alfonso. Alfonso laughed it off but I still didn’t understand him. It would take me nearly 20 years to understand what he meant and even now I am still not sure what he meant by that statement.
That night, and all throughout the entire night, I found myself sobbing hysterically to the point where I made myself literally sick to my stomach. I threw up several times and thought I was gonna die because I got to sit next to Michael Jackson.
In hindsight, maybe it was all for the best that I never got invited, who knows…(June 25, 2009, but may he now rest in peace).
June 26, 2009: Note: Just know that Michael Jackson inviting me to sit next to him beats Disneyland with a bunch of kids any day.
©November 1, 2005
ShavarRoss.com
(subject to future edits, corrections, etc.)
–Photo not mine–
CLONMACNOISE – Fergal O’Rourke’s Tower
Image by Fergal of Claddagh
THE LIFE OF SAINT CIARAN
The holy abbot Ciarán was born of the people of the Leinster, which are in the region of Meath, that is, in the middle of Ireland. His father, who was a cartwright, was called Beonnadus; now the same was a rich man; and he took him a wife by name Derercha, of whom he begat five sons and three daughters. Of these there were four priests and one deacon, who were born in this order, with these names—the first Lucennus, the second Domhnall, the third that holy abbot Ciarán, the fourth Ódhrán, the fifth Crónán, who was the deacon. Also the three daughters were named Lugbeg, and Raichbe, and Pata. Lugbeg and Raichbe were two holy virgins; Pata, however, was at first married, but afterwards she was a holy widow. Now inasmuch as the wright Beonedus himself was grievously burdened by the imposts of Ainmireach King of Tara, he, eluding the pressure of the impost, departed from his own region, that is from the coasts of Meath, into the territories of the Conactha. There he dwelt in the plain of Aei, with the king Crimthanus; and there he begat Saint Ciarán, whose Life this is.
Now his birth was prophesied by a wizard of the aforesaid king, who said, before all the folk, "The son who is in the womb of the wife of Beoedus the wright shall be had in honour before God and before men; as the sun shines in heaven so shall he himself by his holiness shine in Ireland." Afterwards Saint Ciarán was born in the province of the Connacht, namely in the plain of Aei, in the stronghold called Raith Crimthain; and he was baptized by a certain holy deacon who was called Diarmaid in the Irish tongue; but afterwards he was named Iustus, for it was fitting that a "just one" should be baptized by a "Iustus." And Saint Ciarán was reared with his parents in the aforesaid place, and by all things the grace of God was manifested within him.
One day the best horse of Aengussius, son of the aforesaid King Crimhthanus, died suddenly, and he was greatly distressed at the death of his best horse. Now when in sorrow he had fallen asleep, in his dreams a shining man appeared to him, saying to him, "Sorrow not concerning thy horse, for among you there is a little boy, Saint Ciarán son of Beoedus the wright, who by God’s grace can quicken thy horse. Let him pour water into the mouth of the horse, with prayer, and upon its face, and forthwith it shall arise sound. And do thou bestow a gift on the boy for the quickening of thy horse." Now when Aengus son of the king was awakened out of sleep, he told these words to his friends; and he himself came to Saint Ciarán and led him up to the place where the horse was lying dead. When the dutiful boy Ciarán poured water into the mouth and on the face of the horse, it forthwith rose from death and stood whole before them all. The son of the king bestowed that field, which was great and the best, upon Saint Ciarán in perpetuity.
On another day the mother of Saint Ciarán upbraided him, saying, "The sensible other boys bring honey to their parents every day, from the fields and the places where honey is found. But this our son, weak and soft as he is, brings us no honey." The holy boy Ciarán, hearing this saying of his mother chiding him, made his way to a spring hard by, and thence filled a vessel with water. When he blessed it, honey of the best was made from the water, and he gave it to his mother. But his parents, astonished at the miracle, sent that honey to the deacon Iustus, who had baptized him that he might himself see the miracle wrought by God through the boy whom he baptized. When he had heard and seen it, he gave thanks to Christ, and prayed for the boy.
The holy boy Ciarán, as he kept the flocks of his parents, was wont to read the Psalms with Saint Diarmaid. But that teaching was imparted in a manner to us most wondrous. For Saint Ciarán was keeping the flocks in the southern part of the plain of Aei, and Saint Diarmaid was dwelling in the northern part of the same plain, and the plain was of great extent between them. And thus, from afar off, they would salute each the other at ease, with words, across the spaces of the plain; and the elder would teach the boy from his cell across the plain, and the boy would read, sitting upon a rock in the field. The which rock is reverenced unto this day, as the Cross of Christ, called by the name of Ciarán, is placed upon it. Now thus by divine favour were the holy ones wont to hear each the other, while others heard them not.
On a day when Saint Ciarán was keeping the herds, a cow gave birth to a calf in his presence. Now in that hour the dutiful boy saw a wretched wasted hungry wolf a-coming towards him, and God’s servant said to him, "Go, poor wretch, and devour that calf." Forthwith the famished hound fell upon the calf and devoured it. But when the holy herd-boy had come home with his herds, the cow, seeking her calf, was making a loud outcry; and when Derercha, mother of Saint Ciarán, saw it, she said unto him, "Ciarán, where is the calf of yonder cow? Restore it, although it be from sea or from land. For thou has lost it, and its mother’s heart is sore vexed." When Saint Ciarán heard these words, he returned to the place where the calf was devoured, and collected its bones into his breast; then returning, he laid them before the cow as she lamented. Straightway, by divine mercy, by reason of the holiness of the boy, the calf arose before them all, and stood whole upon its feet, sporting with its mother. Then those who stood by lifted up their voices in praise to God, blessing the boy.
As the dutiful boy Ciarán was going out to a homestead hard by, certain worldly men, cruel and malignant, let loose a most savage hound at him, so that it should devour him. When Saint Ciarán saw the fierce hound coming towards him, he appropriated a verse of the Psalmist, saying, "Lord, deliver not the soul that trusted in you unto beasts." Now as the hound was rushing vehemently, by divine favour it thrust its head into the ring-fastening of a calf; and tied by the ring-fastening, it struck its head against the timber to which the fastening was hanging, and thus it broke its head. Its head being broken and the brains scattered, the dog expired. When they saw this they feared greatly.
On another day certain robbers, coming from a foreign region, found Saint Ciarán alone, reading beside his herds; and they thought to slay him and to steal his herds. But as they came toward him with that intent, they were smitten with blindness, and could move neither hand nor foot till they had wrought repentance, praying him for their sight. Then the dutiful shepherd, seeing them turned from their wickedness, prayed for them, and forthwith they were loosed and their sight restored (soluti sunt in lumine suo). And they returned and offered thanks, and told this to many.
One day a certain poor man came to Saint Ciarán, and begged of him a cow. Then Saint Ciarán asked of his mother that a cow should be given to the poor man; but his mother would not hearken unto him. When Saint Ciarán saw this, he made the poor man accompany him out of doors with the herds, and there he gave unto him a good cow with her calf. Now the calf itself was between two kine, and both of them had a care for it; and as the dutiful boy knew that the second cow would be of no service without the calf, he gave them both, with their calf, to the poor man. For these, on the following day, four kine were gifted to Saint Ciarán by other folk as alms, and these he gave to his mother as she was chiding him. Then he exhorted his mother in reasonable manner, and she was thereafter in awe of him.
Saint Ciarán on another day gave the coulter of his uncle Beoanus to a certain poor man, for which likewise on another day he received four coulters. For four smiths came from the steading called Clonmacnoise Cruim, with four coulters, which they delivered for an alms to Saint Ciarán; and these the holy boy restored to him for his coulter.
On another day Saint Ciarán gave the ox of the same uncle to a man who begged for it. And he said unto him, "Son, how shall I be able to plough to-day, seeing that thou hast given mine ox to another?" To him responded the holy boy, "Set thou to-day thy horse with the oxen in the plough, and to-morrow you shall have oxen enough." Forthwith the horse, set under the yoke with the oxen, in place of the ox that had been given, became tame; and the whole day it ploughed properly under the yoke, like an ox. On the following day four oxen were gifted for alms to Saint Ciarán, and these he delivered to his uncle instead of his ox. For men who heard and saw the great signs wrought by Saint Ciarán were wont to beg for his prayers, and to offer oblations unto him.
One day the father of Saint Ciarán bore a royal vessel from the house of King Furbithus, to keep it for some days. Now the king treasured that vessel. But Saint Ciarán delivered that vessel of the king to certain poor men who asked alms in Christ’s name, as he had nothing else. When the king heard this, his anger was kindled mightily, and he commanded that Saint Ciarán should be enslaved to his service. And so for this cause was blessed Ciarán led into captivity, and was a slave in the house of King Furbithus. A task chosen for its severity was laid upon him, namely, to turn the quern-stone daily for making flour. But in wondrous wise Saint Ciarán used to sit and read beside the quern-stone, and the quern-stone used to turn swiftly of itself, without the hand of man, and to grind corn before all the folk. For the angels of God were grinding for Saint Ciarán, unseen of men.
And after no long time a certain man of the province of Munster, that is, of the people of the Desi, who was called Hiernanus, stirred up by divine favour, came with two most excellent vessels, like unto the vessel of that king, of the same sort and the same use, and gifted them in alms to Saint Ciarán. When the king heard the miracle of the quern-stone, he accepted those two vessels, and gave his liberty to Saint Ciarán; for beforetime he would not for anger accept a ransom for him. Thus was Saint Ciarán freed from the servitude of the king; and Saint Ciarán blessed that man with his tribe, by whom he himself obtained his liberty.
On a certain day when Saint Ciarán was in the place called Clonmacnoise Innsythe, he saw a ship floating on the river, and he saw a hut on the bank of the river. Now there was a platter woven of twigs within it, full of ears of corn, with fire underneath so that they should be dried for grinding, as was the custom of the western people, that is, of Britain and of Ireland. Saint Ciarán said in prophecy, secretly, to his companions, "Yonder ship which is on the waters shall be burned to-day, and the hut which is on land shall be submerged." As they disputed and wondered, he said, "Wait a little space, and ye shall see it with your eyes." Forthwith that little boat was raised from the water on to the land, and placed in a shed that its leaks and cracks might there be caulked. But a bonfire having been lit, the shed was consumed, and the ship in its midst was likewise consumed. But strong men, wrenching the hut out of the ground, cast it from the bank into the river, and there it was submerged, as the servant of the Lord prophesied. When they heard and saw such a prophecy of things contrary, they gave glory to Christ who gives such a gift unto his servants.
On another day when Saint Ciarán had come from the fields to his home, men came meeting him. To them he said, "Whence have ye now come?" They said, "We come now from the house of Beoedus the wright." Said he to them, "Have ye gotten there fitting refreshment for Christ’s sake?" They said, "Nay; but we found there a hard woman who would not for hospitality give us so much as a drink." When Saint Ciarán heard this, he blessed them, and came swiftly to his house, and entering the house he found no one therein, for its inmates were busied with their work out of doors. Then blessed Ciarán, moved with zeal for God, scattered all the food which he found in the house of his parents; for2 the milk he poured on the ground, the butter he mixed with the sheep’s dung, the bread he cast to the dogs, so that it should be of service to no man. For he was showing that whatsoever was not given to guests for Christ’s name should rightly be devoted by men to loss, lest such food should be eaten. After a little space his mother came, and seeing her house thus turned upside-down, she felt moved to raise an outcry; for she marvelled greatly at what had befallen her house. When Saint Ciarán had set forth the reason, she became calm, and promised amendment; and many of those who heard were rendered charitable.
On another day when Saint Ciarán was sitting in a carriage with his father, the axle of the carriage broke in two in the middle of the plain; and the father of the saint, with his attendants, was distressed. Then Saint Ciarán blessed the axle, and it was forthwith made whole again as it had been before; and afterwards for the entire day they travelled in the carriage safely.
After this Saint Ciarán wished to leave his parents and to go forth to the school of Saint Finian, who was a wise man abounding in all holiness; so that he might there read the Scriptures, with the other saints of Ireland who were there. He asked of his parents that a cow might be led with him to the school, for the sake of her milk to sustain him; but his mother denied it, saying, "Others who are in that school have no kine." Then having received the licence and blessing of his parents—though his mother was grieved, for she wished to have him always with herself—Saint Ciarán went on his way.
Coming to the cattle of his parents, he blessed a cow, and commanded her in the name of the Lord to follow him. Forthwith that cow followed him with her new-born calf; and wheresoever he would go the cow walked after him, to the city of Clonmacnoise Irayrd, which is in the boundary of the Leinster and Tyrone. But the city itself lies in the territory of Tyrone.
When Saint Ciarán had come thither, he used to make a barrier in the pastures between the cow and her calf with his rod; and by no means did they ever dare to cross the tracks of the holy rod, nor used they cross it; but the cow would lick her calf across the track of the rod, and at the proper time they would come to their stall, with full store of milk.
That cow was of a dun colour, and was called "Ciaran’s Dun." Her fame endures forever in Ireland, for she used to have the greatest store of milk, such as at this time could not be believed. Her milk was daily divided among the school, and sufficed for many. Her hide in like manner remains to this day honourably in the city of Saint Ciarán; for through it, by the grace of God, miracles are wrought. This grace greater than all it has, as the holy ancients, the disciples of Saint Ciarán, have delivered unto us; that it is revealed by divine inspiration that every man who shall have died upon it shall possess eternal life with Christ.
Now in the school of the most holy master Finian there were many saints of Ireland; to wit, two Saints Ciarán, and two Saints Brendan, Columba, and many others; and each of them on his day would grind with his own hands on the quern. But the angels of God used to grind for Saint Ciarán, as they did for him in his captivity.
The daughter of the King of Tara was conducted to Saint Finian that she might read the Psalms and the other Scriptures with the saint of God, and should dedicate her virginity. And when she promised of her own free will to preserve her virginity for Christ, Father Finian said to Saint Ciarán, "Son, let this virgin, Christ’s handmaid, daughter of an earthly king, read with thee in the meanwhile, till such time as a cell of virgins shall be built for her." Which duty Saint Ciarán obediently accepted, and the virgin read with him the Psalms and other lections. Now when holy Father Finian was establishing that virgin and other holy virgins in a cell, the blessed fathers questioned Saint Ciarán as to her manners and her virtue. To them Ciarán said; "Verily, I know naught of her virtues, of manners or of body; for God hath known that never have I seen her face, nor aught of her save the lower part of her vesture, when she was coming from her parents; nor have I held any converse with her save only her reading." For she was wont to take her refection, and to sleep, with a certain holy widow. And the virgin spake the like testimony of Saint Ciarán, and many were confirmed in the true faith by other testimonies of them.
Saint Ciarán was reading the gospel of Matthew with holy Father Finian, along with others. And when he had come to the place where, in the middle of the book, it is written "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, so do ye unto them," Saint Ciarán said to Saint Finian, "Father, enough for me is this half of this book which I have read, that I may fulfil it in deed; verily this one sentence is enough for me to learn." Then one of the school said to them all, "Henceforth a fitting name for Ciarán is ‘Leth-Matha’ (Half-Matthew)." To him the holy elder Finian said, "Nay; a fitting name for him is ‘Leth n-Eirenn’ (Half-Ireland); for his parish shall be extended through the middle of Ireland." This prophecy excited much envy against Saint Ciarán.
On another day, when Saint Ciarán was alone in his cell, he came to table to take food; and wishing to partake after a blessing, he said, "Benedicite." When he saw that no one answered "Dominus," he rose from the table, tasting nothing that day. He did the like on the following day, still rising from the table without food. On the third day, after having thus fasted for three days, he came to table and said, "Benedicite"; and lo, a voice from Heaven said unto him, "The Lord bless thee, weary Ciarán; now is thy prayer full-ripe. For it is enough for a man, whenever he is alone, to bless his food in the name of the Most High God, and then to partake." So Saint Ciarán, giving thanks, ate his bread on the third day.
One time he went to the King of Tara, who was called Tuathal Mael-gharbh, in that he was harsh, so that he should set free a woman unjustly held in servitude with that king. The king released not the woman to him. Then Saint Ciarán blessed her, and bade her go with him to her own people. So she forthwith rose out of the house of the king, and made her way between crowds of men, and none of them saw her till she came safe to her friends. Regarding this matter the king and the others marvelled greatly at the wondrous acts of God.
On another occasion Saint Ciarán entered the region of a certain lord of the Connacht, that in like manner he should demand from him a certain woman who was in unjust servitude to him. As holy Ciarán was sitting there, lo, three men came with three gifts as an alms to him; namely, one gifted to him a cow, another a robe, and a third a frying-pan; and these three gifts did Ciarán straightway give to the poor who were begging of him in the presence of the lord. Now in that hour in lieu of these gifts he received others yet greater in the presence of the lord; to wit, for the frying-pan a cooking-pot of three measures, and for the one robe twelve robes, and for the one cow twelve kine, were gifted to him by others. Which things Saint Ciarán sent to other holy men living hard by. Seeing all these things, that lord graciously gave the woman free to Saint Ciarán, and she went forth to her own people, rejoicing and giving thanks.
After these things Saint Ciarán made his way to an island by name Ara, which is in the ocean westward beyond Ireland a certain space. And that same island is ever peopled from Ireland, and in it dwell a multitude of holy men, and countless saints lie there unknown to all save only to God Omnipotent. Now for many days did Saint Ciarán dwell in hard service, under the most holy Abbot Henna, and great miracles were manifested by him, and works of holiness are still there related. Now when Saint Ciarán was there, he saw this marvellous vision—a like vision Saint Enda also saw—to wit, a great and fruitful tree on the bank of the river Shannon in the middle of Ireland, whose shadow was protecting Ireland on every side; and its branches were flowing beyond Ireland into the sea. On the following day Saint Ciarán related that vision to Saint Enda, which holy Father Enda forthwith interpreted, saying; "That fruitful tree which thou hast seen, and which I likewise have seen, thou art it, my son, who shall be great before God and man. Your honour shall fill Ireland, and the helpful shade4 of thy dutifulness and grace shall protect her from demons, plagues, and perils, and thy fruit shall be for a profit to many far and wide. Therefore at the decree of God go thou without delay to the place wherein thy resurrection shall be, which shall be shown thee of God, so that thou may be for a profit to many." And there Saint Ciarán was consecrated priest; and afterwards, at the command of holy Father Enda, and with the prayer and benediction of him and of all the saints that were in the island of Aran, Saint Ciarán came to Ireland.
One day when Saint Ciarán was making a journey, there met him a poor man in the way, who begged of him something in alms; and holy Ciarán gave him his cloak, and he himself went on afterwards in his under-garment only. His journey led him to the island of Scattery which is in the entrance of the ocean to the west, in the estuary of Limerick between the territories of Kerry and of Corco Baiscin: wherein was the most holy senior Senán, who first dwelt in that island. For a venomous and most hurtful monster had alone possessed that island from ancient times, which holy Senán, by the power of God, had driven far from thence unto a certain lake; and to-day there is a shining and holy settlement in that island, in honour of Saint Senán. Now when Saint Ciarán was approaching that island of Scattery, Saint Senán foresaw in the spirit his coming and his nakedness: and he sent a ship to bear him to the island, while he himself, taking a cloak secretly in his hands, went out to meet him at the island’s harbour. Now when most blessed Senán saw Saint Ciarán coming to him, in an under-garment, he chided him playfully, saying, "Is it not shame that a presbyter should walk in a sole under-garment, without a cowl?" To him, Saint Ciarán, smiling, said, "This my nakedness shall soon receive its alleviation, for there is a cloak for me under the vesture of mine elder Senán." And Saint Ciarán remained for some days with Saint Senán, they passing the time in the divine mysteries; and they made a pact and a brotherhood between them, and thereafter Saint Ciarán with the kiss of peace went his way.
Now when blessed Ciarán came from Saint Senán, he went out to his brethren Luchennus and Ódhrán, who were living in a cell which is called Íseal, that is "the lowest place"; and he lived with them for a time. And his brethren made Saint Ciarán their almoner and guest-master: but Luchennus, who was the eldest, was the abbot of that place, and Ódhrán was the prior. Once, when Saint Ciarán was reading out of doors in a field facing the sun, he suddenly espied weary guests entering the guest-house; and rising quickly, he forgot his book, and left it out of doors open till the following day. As he himself was settling the guests in the house, washing their feet and diligently ministering to them, the night fell. In that very night there was a great rain, but by the favour of God the open book was found perfectly dry; for not a drop of rain had touched it, although the whole ground was wet around it. For this did Saint Ciarán with his brethren render praises to Christ.
Near that place of Saint Ciarán there was an island in a lake, on which a certain lord was dwelling in his fortress with his followers; and the noise of their uproar was hindering the prayers of the holy men in their cell. When Saint Ciarán saw this, he went out to the shore of the lake, and prayed there to the Lord, that He would give them somewhat of relief from that island. On the following night that island, with its lake, was removed by the divine power, far away to another place, where the noise of the mob of that island could not reach the saints of God. And unto this day there is to be seen the place of the lake, where it had been before, some of it sandy, some of it marshy, as a sign of the act of power.
On a certain day when Ciarán was busied out of doors in a field, a poor man came to him, asking that alms should be given him. In that hour a chariot with two horses was gifted to Saint Ciarán by a certain lord, namely the son of Crimthannus; which horses with the chariot Saint Ciarán gave to that poor man.
Then, since the brethren of Saint Ciarán could not endure the greatness of his charity, for every day he was dividing their substance among the poor, they said unto him, "Brother, depart from us; we cannot now be along with thee in one place, and preserve and nourish our brethren for God, for your excess of charity." To whom holy Ciarán answered: "If therefore I had remained in this place, it would not have been Íseal, that is, ‘lowest,’ that is, not small; but high, that is, great and honourable." With these words, holy Ciarán gave a blessing to his brethren, and taking his book-satchels with his books on his shoulders, he went thence on his way.
When he had gone some little distance from the place, there met him in the way a stag awaiting him with utmost gentleness. Saint Ciarán placed his book-satchels upon him, and wheresoever the stag would go, Saint Ciarán followed him. The stag came to Loch Ree which is in the east of Connacht; he stood over against Inis Angin, which is in that lake. Thereby Saint Ciarán understood that the Lord had called him to that island, and dismissing the stag with a blessing he entered that island and dwelt there.
Now when the fame of his holiness was noised abroad, from far and wide and from every quarter good men came together to him, and Saint Ciarán made them his monks. And many alms, in respect of various matters, would be given to Saint Ciarán and to his people by the Faithful. But a certain presbyter, by name Daniel, who owned Inis Angin, inspired by the devil’s envy, set about expelling Saint Ciarán with his followers by force from the island. But Saint Ciarán, wishing to benefit his persecutor, sent him by faithful messengers a royal gift which had been given him in alms, namely a golden antilum, well adorned. When the presbyter saw it, at first he refused to accept it; but afterwards, on the persuasion of trustworthy men, he received it gratefully. And Presbyter Daniel, filled with the grace of God, came and gifted Inis Angin which was in his possession, to God and to Saint Ciarán forever.
On another day when Saint Ciarán was in that island Angin, he heard the voice of a man in the port wishing to enter the island; and he said to his brethren, "Go ye, my brethren, and lead me hither him who is to be your abbot after me." So the brethren, voyaging quickly, found an un-consecrated youth in the port, whom despising they left there. Coming back, they said unto Saint Ciarán, "We found no man there save an un-consecrated youth, who wandered as a fugitive in the woods; he it is who called in the port. Far removed from abbotship is his rudeness!" To these Saint Ciarán said: "Voyage ye without delay and bring him with speed; for the Lord having revealed it to me, by his voice I have recognised that he shall be your abbot after me." When the brethren heard this, they forthwith led him in, and Saint Ciarán tonsured him, and he read diligently with him, and was filled from day to day with the grace of God; and after the most blessed Ciarán, he was the holy abbot. For he is the blessed Aengus, son of Luigse.
The gospel-book of Saint Ciarán fell into the lake from the hand of one of the brethren, who held it carelessly when voyaging. For a long time it was therein, under the water, and was not found. But on a certain day, in summer, the kine entered the lake to refresh themselves in the waters, for the greatness of the heat; and when the kine had returned from the lake, the binding of the leather satchel containing the gospel-book caught about the hoof of a cow, and so the cow dragged the book-satchel on her hoof as she came to land. And the gospel-book was found in the rotten leather satchel, perfectly dry and clean, without any moisture, as though it had been preserved in a book-case. Saint Ciarán with his followers were rejoiced thereat.
After this a certain man of Munster, to wit of the people of Corco Baiscin, by name Donnacha, came to Saint Ciarán as he sojourned in Inis Angin. To him one day Saint Ciarán said, "What seekest thou, father, in these coasts?" Saint Donnacha answered, "Lord, I seek a place wherein to sojourn, where I may serve Christ in pilgrimage." Saint Ciarán said to him, "Sojourn, father, in this place; for I shall go to some other place, for I know that here is not my resurrection."
Then Saint Ciarán granted Inis Angin with its furniture to Saint Donnacha, and came to a place which is called Ard Mantain, near the river Shannon; but being unwilling to remain in that place, he said: "I will not live in this place: for here shall be great abundance of the things of this life, and earthly joy; and hardly could the souls of my disciples attain to heaven, were I to have dwelt here, for this place belongs to the men of this world."
Thereafter Saint Ciarán left that place, and came to a place which once was called Tiobrad, but now is called Clonmacnoise. And coming to this place he said: "Here will I live: for many souls shall go forth in this place to the kingdom of God, and in this place shall be my resurrection."
Then most blessed Ciarán with his followers dwelt, and began to found a great monastery there. And many from all sides used to come to him, and his parish was extended over a great circuit; and the name of Saint Ciarán was much renowned over all Ireland. And a shining and holy settlement, the name of which is Clonmacnoise, grew up in that place in honour of Saint Ciarán; it is in the western border of the land of Tyrone, on the eastern bank of the river Shannon, over against the province of the Connacht. Therein are the kings or the lords of Tyrone and of the Connacht buried, along with Saint Ciarán. For the river Shannon, which is very rich in various fish, divides the regions of Niall, that is, of Meath, and the province of the Connacht.
And when Saint Ciarán would place with his own hands a corner-post in the first building of that settlement, a certain wizard said to him: "This hour is not good for beginning; for the sign of this hour is contrary to beginnings of building." Then Saint Ciarán himself set the post in the corner of the house, saying, "Thou wizard, against thy sign I fix this post in the ground; for I care naught for the art of wizards, but in the name of my Lord, Jesus Christ, do I all my works." For this the wizard and his followers uttered commendation, marvelling at the faith of Saint Ciarán in his God.
Now when Saint Ciarán had been in his settlement of Clonmacnoise, an excellent cloak was gifted to him in alms by a certain man. Saint Ciarán was minded to send it to the aforesaid holy elder Senán, who dwelt in the island of Scattery; but he was not able immediately to find a messenger, because the way from the settlement of Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise, which is in the middle of Ireland, to the island of Scattery, situate at the entrance of the ocean, was long and rough and difficult, and crossed borders of different kingdoms. Then at the command of Saint Ciarán, the cloak was placed on the river Shannon, and was sent alone with the river, and it came dry over the waters to the island of Scattery; and no one saw it while it travelled thither. The Shannon flows from the settlement of Clonmacnoise to the estuary of Limerick, in which the island of Scattery stands.
And Saint Senán, filled with the spirit of prophecy, said to his brethren, "Go ye to the shore of the sea, and bring to us with honour the guest there seated, the gift of a man of God." And the brethren, asking no questions, made their way to the sea, and found there the cloak, perfectly dry, for it was untouched by the waters. And the holy elder Senán accepting it, gave thanks to God; and the cloak was in honourable keeping with Saint Senán, as though it were a sacred diadem.
A certain boy of the company of holy Ciarán, called Crithir of Clonmacnoise, a boy of great wit, but hurtful and wanton, fled from Saint Ciarán to the settlement of Saigyr, in the northern border of Munster, that is, the land of Hele, to the other Ciarán, the most holy aged bishop. And that boy, sojourning for some days with the holy bishop, after his devilish manner took the drink of the brethren, and poured it over the fire; extinguishing thus the consecrated fire. Now Saint Ciarán the elder would have no other fire in his monastery save the consecrated fire, maintained without being extinguished from Easter to Easter. When Saint Ciarán the elder heard what the boy Crithir did, it greatly displeased him, and he said, "Let him be chastened for this of God in this life." When he heard that Saint Ciarán the elder was angry with him, he went out from the settlement of Saigyr, and when he was gone a short space from the settlement, wolves met him and killed him; yet they did not touch his body after he was dead, after the likeness of that prophet who was killed by the lion.
Now when Saint Ciarán the younger heard that his boy had been with Ciarán the elder, he went to him; and on the day when the aforesaid things took place, he came to the settlement of Saigyr and was received with fitting honour by the holy bishop Ciarán the elder. And the holy abbot Ciarán the younger said to the holy bishop Ciarán, "Restore to me, holy father, my disciple alive, who hath been slain while with thee." To him Saint Ciarán the elder said, "First needs must your feet be washed, but we have no fire in the monastery, to warm the water for you; and ye know that it is because your disciple quenched our sacred fire. Wherefore beseech for us consecrated fire from God." Then the holy abbot Ciarán the younger, son of the wright, stretched his hands in prayer to God, and straightway fire from heaven came into his breast, and thence was the hearth kindled in the monastery.
But the holy bishop Ciarán the elder prayed to God for that youth slain by wolves, and straightway he arose sound from a cruel death, with the scars of the wolf-bites visible upon him. And blessing them all, he took food and drink with the saints, and afterwards he lived many days.
Then the two Saints Ciarán made a compact and brotherhood in heaven and in earth between their successors; and they said that should any wish to name or to beg aught for one of them, he should name them both and ask, for they would hear him.
After this the holy abbot Ciarán the younger said to the bishop, Ciarán the elder, "In thy place, father, shall remain honour and abundance of riches." To him said the holy bishop, Ciarán the elder, "Also in thy place, dearest son, shall last the strength of religion and of wisdom, unto the end of the world." When these things were said, having received the kiss of peace and blessing of the most holy bishop, Ciarán the elder, Saint Ciarán the younger with his own people and with the aforesaid youth Crithir returned to his settlement of Clonmacnoise.
On a certain day when the brethren of Saint Ciarán were at work in the harvest, enduring thirst from the heat of the sun, they sent word that cold water should be brought to them. Saint Ciarán answered them by a messenger, "Choose ye, my brethren, whether ye will drink to quench your thirst for necessity, or will endure in thirst till the evening, that through your labour to-day in thirst and in sweat there may be abundance for the brethren who are to be in this place hereafter; and you yourselves will not fail of reward from God in heaven." The brethren answered, "We choose that there be a sufficiency for our successors, and we to have the reward of our patience and of our thirst in heaven." So the brethren worked that day athirst, rejoicing, though the sun was hot.
But when evening was come, the brethren returned home, and Saint Ciarán wished to satisfy them, and to refresh them charitably. And trusting in the Lord, he blessed a great vessel full of water; and immediately under his hands wine of most excellent quality appeared in the vessel. And bringing drinking-cups, he commanded the brethren to refresh their bodies well, with sobriety, rendering thanks to Christ for his gifts.
This is the Last Supper of Saint Ciarán with his brethren in his life, he himself ministering unto them; for he lived thereafter but few days. And that supper was most generous, excelling all the suppers that were made in the monastery of Saint Ciarán, as is proved thus—
For after a long time, when Saint Columba with his followers had come to Ireland from the island of Hia, a great feast was prepared for them in the monastery of Saint Ciarán in his settlement of Clonmacnoise; and when they had come to the religious house of Saint Ciarán, they were received with great joy and love, and were refreshed most bounteously with that repast; and the fame of that supper went over the whole settlement and its suburbs, far and wide.
When, in the house of the holy elders, who had a little cell apart in the monastery of Saint Ciarán, certain persons said in ignorance that never in that place had such a feast been made, nor would be in the future, one, who had been a boy when Saint Ciarán lived there, answered: "Ye know not whereat ye wonder: for the feast which Saint Ciarán our patron made, of water turned to wine, for his brethren athirst after harvesting, was far better than this feast. And that ye may know this, and may believe that it is true, come and perceive the odour of my finger with which I drew of that wine for the brethren. For my thumb touched the liquor through the mouth of the cup in which the wine was drawn; and lo, even yet its odour remains thereupon." Then they all drew near, and being sated with the pleasant and sweet odour of that holy elder, they cried aloud saying, "Truly much better was that feast whose odour remains on a finger most sweet for so long a time." And they blessed Saint Ciarán, giving praises to God.
And in those days, in which the brethren of Saint Ciarán were sowing their crops, there came merchants with wine of the Gauls to Saint Ciarán, and they filled a huge vessel, the solitana of the brethren, from that wine, which Saint Ciarán gave to his brethren with his benediction.
Our most holy patron Ciarán lived but for one year in his settlement of Clonmacnoise. When he knew that the day of his death was approaching, he prophesied, deploring the subsequent evils that would come to pass in his place after him; and he said that their life would be short. Then the brethren said unto him, "What then shall we do in the time of those evils? Shall we abide here beside thy relics, or shall we go to other places?" To them Saint Ciarán said, "Haste ye to other quiet places, and leave my relics here like the dry bones of a stag on a mountain. For it is better for you to be with my spirit in heaven than beside my bones on earth, and stumbling withal."
Saint Ciarán used greatly to crucify his body, and we write here an example of this. He ever had a stone pillow beneath his head, which till to-day remains in the monastery of Saint Ciarán, and is reverenced by everyone. Moreover, when he was growing weak, he would not have the stone removed from him, but commanded it to be placed to his shoulders, that he should have affliction even to the end, for the sake of an everlasting reward in heaven.
Now when the hour of his departure was approaching, he commanded that he should be carried outside, out of the house; and looking up into heaven, he said, "Hard is that way, and this needs must be." To him the brethren said, "We know that nothing is difficult for thee, father; but we unhappy ones must greatly fear this hour."
And being carried back into the house, he raised his hand and blessed his people and clerks; and having received the Lord’s Sacrifice, on the fifth of the ides of September he gave up the ghost, in the thirty-third year of his age. And lo, angels filled the way between heaven and earth, rejoicing to meet Saint Ciarán.
Walking with balloons
Image by Ed Yourdon
After a meeting on Central Park West in early March, I walked through part of Central Park, starting at the park entrance at Tavern on the Green, and exiting the park at 90th Street.
About a week later, I walked south through the (west) side of Central Park, starting at 96th Street, and exiting the park at 72nd Street.
And toward the end of March and beginning of April, a few days after the official beginning of spring, I walked through Central Park once again…
This particular picture was taken at the western edge of the "boat pond," just north of the 72nd Street transverse. The couple was walking along a sidewalk at the edge of the water, and I was about 20 feet further west, on the north-south roadway. The woman was holding a camera, and had apparently been taking some pictures; I don’t know where the balloons came from, or why her companion was striding so energetically to catch up to her…
