Date unknown; another feast is shown on December 26 in Ireland. There is
a town in Cornwall named Mawnan. One source also identifies him with
Magnenn of Kilmainham, an Irish roving bishop who had a pet ram, was
given to cursing his enemies, and favoured unusual austerities. Mawnan
once asked counsel from
Saint Maelruain (f.d. July 7),
who roundly
refused to administer absolution to a man who did not work for his daily
bread, but instead lived on alms. A prophecy is attributed to Mawnan:
"A time shall come when girls shall be pert and tart of tongue; when
there will be grumbling and discontent among the lower classes and lack
of reverence to elders; when churches will be slackly attended and women
shall exercise wiles."
His life has similarities with the "fools for Christ" of Greece and
Russia. The exact identity of Mawnan is uncertain; he may be this saint
or simply a local founder of whom nothing is known
(
Farmer).