Born in
Wexford; died 697. Saint Moling is said to have been a monk at
Glendalough. Later he was founder and abbot of Aghacainid (Teghmolin,
Saint Mullins) in County Carlow beside the Barrow River on which he is
reputed to have established the ferry service which continues to today.
For a time he lived in a nearby hermitage. Afterwards he succeeded Saint
Aidan as bishop of Ferns, which included the entirety of Leinster.
Moling was a singular benefactor to his country. In 693, he persuaded
King Finacta to release the people of Leinster from the heavy tribute of
oxen which had been imposed by king Tuathal Techmar. He resigned his see
some years before his death. In addition to his eminent sanctity,
manifested by the gifts of prophecy and miracles, this saint is
celebrated in Ireland for the abundant Gaelic poetry he wrote--more than
any other saint except Columba. At his death Moling was interred in his
own monastery of Teghmoling.
The Book of Mulling is a 9th-century Book of the Gospels, which was
probably copied from Moling's autograph as its colophon suggests. It was
described by Gerald of Wales (c. 1200) and survives in a splendid
jewelled shrine in Trinity College library in Dublin. It is especially
noted because of its plan for Moling's monastery; some crosses on the
plan probably indicate places of sanctuary. The cultus of Moling was
early and widespread
(
Benedictines,
Farmer,
Husenbeth,
Montague).
Below is a sample from the many stories that arose around Moling's pet
fox.
"The blessed bishop Moling used to keep animals both wild and tame about
him, in honour of their Maker, and they would eat out of his hand. And
among these was a fox. Now one day the fox stole a hen that belonged to
the brethren and ate it. The brethren brought their complaint, and the
man of God scolded the fox and accused him of being perfidious above
other animals.
"The fox, however, seeing his master wroth with him, gazed upon him with
solicitude, and made off to a convent of nuns that were under Saint
Moling's care, captured a hen by guile, and bringing her to his lord,
presented her safe and sound. And the Saint, smiling, said to him: 'Thou
hast offered rapine to atone for theft. Take back this hen to her
ladies, and deliver her to them unharmed; and hereafter do thou live
without stealing, like the rest of the animals.' Hearing this, the fox
took the hen between his teeth and deposited her unharmed in her ladies'
cloister. And those who saw so great a marvel wrought in either place,
made merry over it and blessed God.
"Another time another fox stole a book from the brethren, and carried it
off to hide it in one of his earths, intending to come back shortly and
gnaw it there. But on his return to the monastery, he was found stealing
and eating a honeycomb. Whereupon the brethren laid hold on him and
brought him to Saint Moling, and accused him of stealing the book.
"And the holy man bade the brethren to let him go free. And when he was
released, the Saint said to him, 'O wise and crafty one, be off, and
bring me back that book unharmed, and quickly.' At that, off went the
fox, and hastened to bring the book from his cave, and set it down dry
and unharmed before the holy bishop.
"And then he lay upon the ground before the man of God, as if seeking
forgiveness. And the Saint said, 'Get up, you wretch, and fear naught;
but never touch a book again.' And the fox got up rejoicing, and
fulfilled in marvellous wise the Saint's behest; for not only did he
never touch books again, but if any one would show him a book in jest,
he took to flight"
(
Plummer).