DECEMBER
2—St. Ethernan, Bishop.
This saint belonged to a noble Scottish family and was sent to Ireland for his education. On returning to his native land, he devoted himself to the work of preaching the Faith among his countrymen in the province of Buchan, Aberdeenshire. He eventually became a bishop. {175}
On the east side of the hill of Mormond near Rathen, in Aberdeenshire, is a place called "St. Ethernan's Den"; it is believed to have been the spot chosen by the saint as his hermitage. The neighbouring church of Rathen is dedicated to him. The church of Kilrenny in Fifeshire, popularly known as "St. Irnie's," is probably one of his dedications; it is a favourite landmark for mariners. St. Ethernan's well is there. At Forfar a fair was annually held on this day under the name of "Tuetheren's Fair." He was also honoured at Madderty in Perthshire.
There seems to have been a chapel of this saint in the old monastic church on the Isle of May; as, by an ancient charter, Alexander Cumyn, Earl of Buchan, grants a stone of wax or forty shillings yearly to "St. Ethernan of the Isle of May, and the monks serving God and St. Ethernan in that place."
6—St. Constantine III., King, A.D. (about) 945.
The life of this saint is involved in obscurity. According to the most probable account he was a Scottish King, who resigned his crown after a {176} reign of more than forty years, and retired, as the Chronicle of the Picts and Scots relates, "to the monastery on the brink of the waves and died in the house of the Apostle." This monastery was probably the Culdee establishment at St. Andrews. A cave near Fife Ness called after the saint, and marked by many pilgrims crosses, is supposed to have been his place of retirement for prayer.
7—St. Buite, Monk, A.D. 521.
He was born in Ireland, and from his infancy was believed to possess miraculous powers. Early writers compare him with Venerable Bede for his virtues and mode of life. He is said to have lived many years in a monastery in Italy, and to have returned, by Divine admonition, to his native land, taking with him many copies of the Holy Scriptures together with sacred vestments and numerous holy relics. On his journey he was joined by a number of pilgrims who desired to live under his rule; accordingly he sailed with his company for North Britain, and landed in Pictish territory, where he is said to have restored the king of the country to life {177} by his prayers. Receiving as a reward the royal fort in which the miracle had taken place, St. Buite founded a monastery there, and remained for some time instructing the people of the country in the Faith. Eventually he returned to Ireland.
Dunnichen, in Angus, is thought to be the site of St. Buite's foundation. Near it are still to be seen the remains of an ancient fortress known as Carbuddo or Caer Buido (Buite's Fort). The saint is said to have foretold the birth of St. Columba, which occurred on the very day upon which St. Buite himself died.