St. Malachy O'more

Malachy born in 1094 in Armagh, Ireland. St. Bernard, who knew him, writes that he came from a noble family. Malachy’s family name was O’Morgair (O’more) and his baptismal name was Maelmahaedhoc which has been Latinized as Malachy. After years of studies he was ordained by St. Cellach (Celsus) in 1119. He then studied theology and sacred liturgy under St. Malchus in Lismore. Malachy become abbot of Bangor four years after he was ordained. In 1224, he became Bishop of Connor; he later became Archbishop of Armagh, but he had difficulty taking possession of this see which was held by the usurping lay-primate Niall. He finally had to offer Niall money in order for the difficulty to be settled. Once settled at Armagh, Malachy vigorously worked to restore Church discipline and adopted the Roman Liturgy. In 1138, after setting the see of Armagh on the right path, Malachy resigned as archbishop; he remained bishop, but divided the see of Connor into Connor and Down, and kept only Down to govern. He founded a priory at Downpatrick and in 1139, traveled to Rome. On the way to Rome he visited St. Bernard in Clairvaux, France; on his way back to Ireland, he visited St. Bernard again. Five of Bernard’s monks accompanied Malachy to Ireland to found the Abbey of Mellifont, under an Irish abbot. In 1148, Malachy once more set forth for Rome, but when he reached Clairvaux he became ill. He died comforted by St. Bernard on November 2, 1148. Malachy performed many miracles during his life and he had the gift of prophecy. He was canonized in 1199 and his feast is November 3.