Oratio de Vita Mariae (hibernica)
Standard abbreviation: Hom. Life Mary
Other titles: none
Clavis numbers: ECCA 858
Category: Dormition Accounts
Related literature: Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew, Testament of Mary
Compiled by Tony Burke, York University
Citing this resource (using Chicago Manual of Style): Burke, Tony. “Homily on the Life of Mary (Irish).” e-Clavis: Christian Apocrypha. Accessed DAY MONTH YEAR. https://www.nasscal.com/e-clavis-christian-apocrypha/homily-on-the-life-of-mary-irish/.
Created September 2024.
1. SUMMARY
The homily is delivered on 15 August, the date of the feast of Mary’s departure. It begins, without attribution, with a discussion of Psalm 67:6 (“the earth shall bring forth its fruit”) as a reference to the womb of the Virgin Mary (as is shown by the words of Elizabeth in Luke 1:42). Mary was 12 when she conceived and 47 when she went to heaven. From here the author presents some of the events from Mary’s life as presented in the Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew, though with some interesting variations: it is stated that Joachim was 20 years old when he married Anna, who is said to be a daughter of Issachar, and they were together 30 years before they had Mary; the priest Biathar (Abiathar) offers treasures to the other priests to take has Mary as wife for his son but Mary refuses because she has devoted herself to a life of chastity based on the model of Elijah; and when Joseph is selected as Mary’s guardian, he also takes charge of her 50 attendant virgins (rather than five as in Ps.-Mt.).
The story of Mary’s early life concludes with brief mention of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. Then follows praises of Mary with connections made to Song of Solomon 2:10 (“come to me, my dove”) and 4:12 (“you are a sealed garden”), and discussion of her perpetual virginity.
Then the author turns to Mary’s final days, beginning with Jesus coming to Mary’s bedside and receiving her soul. This is followed by the apostles taking her body to the tomb, the attack on the bier, and Jesus returning with Michael to take Mary’s body to heaven. After that, the apostles are taken on a tour of hell, where they witness several scenes of punishment and because of the tears shed by the apostles and Mary, Jesus grants the sinners respite from punishment for three hours every Sunday. Finally, Mary is taken to the Tree of Life where she will reside until Judgment Day.
Named historical figures and characters: Abiathar (high priest), Adam (patriarch), Anna (mother of Mary), David (king), Elijah (prophet), Gabriel (angel), Issachar (father of Anna), Joachim (father of Mary), Joseph (of Nazareth), Luke (evangelist), Mary (Virgin), Michael (angel), Peter (apostle), Simeon, Solomon (king).
Geographical locations: Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Mount of Olives, paradise.
2. RESOURCES
3. BIBLIOGRAPHY
3.1 Manuscripts and Editions
3.1.1 Irish
3.1.1.1 Version A
K Dublin, King’s Inns, 10, fols. 51–54 (15th cent.) ~ IMAGES
YBL Dublin, Trinity College, 1318 (olim H.2.16) (Yellow Book of Lecan), cols. 839.19–843.52 (14th cent.) ~ 1–11 only; IMAGES
3.1.1.2 Version B (abridgement)
Eg. London, British Library, Egerton 136, fol. 73 (1630) ~ 18–20 only
R Maynooth, National University of Ireland, R 73 (b), 276–284, 258 (18th cent.)
Breatnach, Caoimhín. “An Irish Homily on the Life of the Virgin Mary.” Ériu 51 (2000): 23–58 (text and facing translation of K, pp. 28–49, text of version R, pp. 50–53; text of YBL, pp. 54–57; text of Eg., p. 58).
3.2 Modern Translations
3.2.1 English
Breatnach, Caoimhín. “An Irish Homily on the Life of the Virgin Mary.” Ériu 51 (2000): 23–58 (text and facing translation of K, pp. 28–49).
3.3 General Works
Breatnach, Caoimhín. “Udhacht Mhuire: Introduction, Edition, Translation, and Commentary.” Pages 247–53 in Apocrypha Hiberniae II. Apocalyptica 2. Edited by Martin McNamara et al. CCSA 21. Turnhout: Brepols, 2019 (pp. 252–62).