THE SHADOW THAT LEARNED TO PRAY
(From the Papers of Canon O’Shaughnessy, with Notes and an Appendix on “An Faire Dorcha”)
By Dr. H. C. Ellingham, F.S.I.A.
I. Introductory Remarks
In arranging the literary remains of the late Canon O’Shaughnessy of Carlow, I discovered a packet of letters, tied with twine and labelled in his hand “Ballyroguearty — Donnelly.” These were addressed to him from Father Donnelly, parish priest of Ballyroguearty, in the closing months of 1874.
The contents pertain to certain manifestations within the parish church of St. Brendan’s. I beg leave to lay the documents before the Society, together with marginalia of Canon O’Shaughnessy, and such commentary as I may append.
II. The Donnelly Letters
First Appearance
Letter, Oct. 18th, 1874:
“I perceived at the last pew, beneath the north wall, a figure robed in darkness, so dense the candles gave it no light. Its head was bowed, and it muttered in broken Latin.”
Transcription (as copied by Donnelly):
MIS-ER-E-RE NOBIS
DEVS TENEBRARVM
ORDO ÆTERNVM
EXTERMINARE PECCATVM
(Translation: “Have mercy upon us, God of Shadows, eternal order, destroy sin.”)
The Signs
Letter, Nov. 2nd, 1874:
“Wax poured like wounds from the candles; the bells swung without hand; the saints wept black tears. Through it all the shadow chanted…”
Transcription:
SANC-TV[S] SANC-TV[S] SANC-TV[S]
ORDO DOMINATORVM
PLENVM EST VNIVERSVM
GLORIA TENEBRARVM
(A parody of the Sanctus. Here the glory belongs to shadows, not the Lord of Hosts.)
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