St. Catherine's Well. Suppression of Holy Wells.

XIII. - St. Catherine’s Well. Suppression of Holy wells.

In 1707 the Union between England and Scotland was effected. The agitation which arose in consequence, and which was confined to the Presbyterians of Scotland, furnished to the British Parliament a pretext for outrage upon Roman Catholics. A plot existing through the south-western portion of Scotland was discovered. The Pretender, Anne’s brother, was to be invited - his dynasty was to be established and so the Union was to he abolished.

Suddenly in 1708 41 harmless country gentlemen, free of all complication in the plot, were arrested and imprisoned in Dublin Castle.

There was the famous St. John’s Well in the County Meath. Thither the blind and maimed from time immemorial repaired, and by the power of faith, and intercession of the saint with God, went away perfectly cured. Their friends naturally accompanied them, and held an annual festival called the “Patron.” The penitents and sick devoted themselves to penances and religious exercises. Their friends held the “fair,” which consisted at that time of innocent amusements and recreations. Such patron fairs were the origin of the celebrated fairs of Lyons, Frankfort, Leipzig, and many others of European fame. By the 2nd Anne, c. 6, the patron days of wells were suppressed. The statute imposed a fine of 10 shillings (and in default of payment whipping) on every one “who shall attend or be present at any pilgrimage or meeting held at any holy well, or imputed holy well,” and “requires all magistrates to demolish all crosses, pictures, and inscriptions that are anywhere publicly set up, and are the occasions of Popish superstitions.” But not all the statutes of the world can tear the Irish pilgrim from the holy well. The statute is made by man, but the limpid, clear, and hallowed waters of the holy well are made by the Hand of God, and their all-saving efficacy is created by the breath of His divine spirit of love.

For knowledge has abused its powers, an empire to erect

For tyrants, on the rights the poor had given them to protect;

Till now the simple elements of nature are their all,

That from the cabin is not filched, and lavished in the hall -

And while night, noon, or morning meal no other plenty brings,

No beverage than the water draught from old, spontaneous springs;

They, sure, may deem them holy wells, that yield from day to day,

One blessing that no tyrant hand can taint or take away.

• J. De Jean Fraser.

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