Machalus of the Isle of Man

April 27

Machalus was first the leader of a band of robbers, who then preyed on travelers.  When the bishop of St. Patrick was traveling, the group made a plan to trick him by putting one of their gang, named Garban, under a cloak by the side of the road, pretending that he was dead.  When Patrick came by, Machalus would beg him to pray over the corpse, and the whole gang would set upon him.  But when they raised the cloak on Garban, he was dead.  They fell before Patrick and confessed their guilt.  Patrick prayed and restored Garban to life, and he ordered that they return their booty, but Machalus asked for a more severe penance.  Patrick told him to chain himself to a boat, row out to sea, throw away the oars and the key to his chains, and float to wherever God chooses.  Machalus obeyed, and he was washed up on the Isle of Man, where two missionaries had settled.  That day they had caught a fish that swallowed the key, and they unlocked Machalus' chains.  He became their servant.  Later, he was ordained a priest, and then the third bishop of the Isle of Man.  He is known for the division of the island into seventeen parishes.  He is buried at the church that still bears his name.  At that site, there was for many years a stone coffin, which held crystal clear water prized for healing various diseases.  Some time later, a Viking planned to rob the church, but St. Machalus appeared and struck him three times in the chest with his staff.  The Viking died, and his companions fled.

SOURCE:

SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2017(with 2016's link here also and further: 2015,2014  2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and even 2008!):