(ABOUT 500.)
[According to Wytford, S. Olcan or Bolcan is on this day
commemorated in Ireland. In the Tamlacht Martyrology he is called
Olcan; in the Donegal Martyrology he is Bolcan. Authorities:--The
Tripartite Life of S. Patrick, and that by Jocelin.]
A wild legend is connected with this saint. His mother is said to have
been an Englishwoman, married in Ireland, whose husband died, leaving
her pregnant. She fell into a fit, and was buried, as dead. But a
certain nobleman, passing near her tomb, heard, from within, the
wailing of a child, and, opening it, found that a new-born babe lay by
the dead mother. It is probable that this is an exaggeration of the
simple fact that Olcan's mother died in childbirth, and that he was
taken up by a noble. He grew up to be admitted to holy orders, and to
receive episcopal consecration. A certain chief, named Saran, had
incurred the malediction of S. Patrick, for having driven him from his
territories and overthrown the churches he had erected. Saran, having
made many captives in war, would have massacred or sold them, had not
Olcan hastened to him to implore him to show pity upon them. Saran
answered that he would spare the captives, if Olcan would promise him
eternal life. Olcan hesitated. Then Saran gave orders for a general
butchery. The bishop, rather than see so much innocent blood flow,
consented to baptize Saran on the spot. When S. Patrick heard of this
he was very angry that the holy Sacrament of Regeneration should be
administered thus to an unrepentant and uninstructed tyrant. Olcan,
hearing of S. Patrick's anger, ran to seek him, and, seeing him in his
chariot, he fell on his knees and implored pardon. Patrick sternly
averted his head. Then Olcan flung himself prostrate in the road
before the horses. The driver stopped. Patrick ordered him to whip the
horses on. The charioteer replied that he dare not drive over a
bishop. Then Patrick, after having reproached Olcan, forgave him.
He is said to have studied in Gaul.