St. Declan sailed back from Wales on his return from Rome where he had been ordained, consecrated bishop, and given the mission to preach in his Irish homeland. As he approached Ardmore, he prophesied, "In that place my Bishopric shall remain, and I shall depart hence for Christ when my resurrection from the grave shall be accomplished."
In other words, he was not only foreseeing that he would preach the Gospel in Ardmore, but that he would establish his see here, die here, be buried here, and be called from here when we all rise for the general judgment at the end of time. Once again, we see that chain of Time and Church History of which we are a part!
"He passed to his reward on the 24th of July.... The precious remains of this remarkable saint were laid to rest in the southeast of his own oratory [seen above], usually called the Daimh-liag. There, within sound of the sea... Declan awaits the final call.
"Historians of the Saint's life -- and they were many -- tell us that during the interval between his death and his interment many wonders and miracles occurred. A heavenly radiance was shed around his remains; delicious harmony filled the air; while the sick, the maimed, and the infirm were restored to health in presence of his bier. For ages afterwards the memories of these prodigies were preserved among the people, whose faith their sainted patron did not fail to reward." ~ Footprints of Ireland's Saints, no. 16. Imprimatur 1915.
St. Declan of Ardmore, pray for us!
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