Saint of the Day – 12 April – Saint Ailell of Cologne (Died 1040) Priest, Abbot

Saint of the Day – 12 April – Saint Ailell of Cologne (Died 1040) Priest, Abbot of Great Saint Martin’s Monastery and of St Pantaleon’s in Cologne, Missionary, a strict disciplinarian and a talented and skilled leader, running two separate Monasteries for years. He was also a skilled Musician and is held to be the first to introduce Roman chant to Cologne. Born in Monaghan, Ireland and died in Cologne in 1040 of natural causes. Also known as – Helias.

Ailell was a native of what is now County Monaghan, Ireland. He became a Monk at the Monastery of Muckno which is now the Parish of the Town of Castleblayney. Johannes Trithemius, a German Monk Historian, states that he led “a most austere life, and was on that account an object of hatred to wicked men, who feared his reproof.

Ailell went to Cologne in Germany as a Missionary and in 1015, was elected as the Abbot of Great St Martin Monastery, Cologne. In the same year, he became the Abbot of St Pantaleon’s – both Monasteries would remain under his rule until his death in 1040.

Amazingly, Ailell ran both St Martin’s and St Pantaleon’s, with the greatest success. He was remarkable, however, for uncommon strictness in the enforcement of discipline. A French Monk of St Pantaleon, having transcribed, a neat copy of the Missal for the use of the community, without having first obtained permission to do so,Ailell burned it, lest others should presume to act without previous licence.

Our Saint was a “bosom friend and counsellor” of St Heribert, Archbishop of Cologne. Heribert died in 1021. Heribert’s biographer, Landberth wrote about his death: “when this illustrious prelate felt his end approach, he sent for his beloved Ailell, who prepared him for death and administered to him the Sacrament of Extreme Unction and all the final consolations of the Church.” St Heribert’s life: https://anastpaul.com/2019/03/16/saint-of-the-day-16-march-st-heribert-c-970-1021/

Unfortunately, St Heribert’s Successor named Pilgrim, possessed an inveterate dislike for the Irish Monks and for Ailell, in particular. Departing on a pastoral visit, he vowed to expel them all upon his return. Ailell is said to have prayed to God that if it was the Lord’s Will, the Monks would depart but if not, Archbishop Pilgrim would never return to Cologne. Pilgrim died at Neomagnus in 1036 and it seems thus God willed him not to return to Cologne, leaving the Irish Monks in peace. Ailell is said to have established a good relationship with Pilgrim’s Successor, Archbishop Herman.

Ailell died in the odour of sanctity and was buried in the Chapel of St Benedict, with the Epitaph: “Haec tumuli fossa conduntur Praesulis ossa/Heliae miri mirificique viri.” (More or less – In these mounds are buried the bones of Praesulis/Helia’s wonderful men.)