“Prophecy of the Popes.” Pope Francis is the last one listed.

Mael Mhaedhoc Ua Morgair was born in Armagh of Northern Ireland in 1094. His name is rendered Malachus in Latin and Malachy in English, meaning “devotee or servant”. His father was a Chief Scholar and he had a brother known as Saint Christian O’Morgair of Clogher.

Both of his parents died when he was young and he then entered the religious life. He was ordained deacon at the age of 24 and the following year he was ordained to priesthood by Cellach (Celsus). Very soon Cellach made him his vicar over the Diocese of Armagh.

Malachy used his office to discontinue various traditional customs and introduced practices of the Roman Church, while also reviving the Sacraments of Penance, Confirmation, and Marriage.

He was directed by Cellach to study under Bishop Mael Isu Ua hAinmere (Malchus O’Hagan), who was in sympathy with those who sought to reform the Irish church.

He was described as meek, humbled, obedient, and modest. He tended to the needy, bringing the holy sacraments to all alike and renewing their fervour in the Lord.

Malachy’s uncle was an Abbot of Bangor Abbey, and expressed his willingness to surrender his office and Bangor monastery to Malachy.

At the age of 30, he was instilled as Abbot and Archbishop Cellach made him Bishop. He instituted strict celibacy regulations and other disciplines for the Irish clergy. He also reintroduced the use of canonical hour prayers.

Malachy continued to work zealously to restore discipline, marriage, renewed practices of confession and confirmation, as well as Roman chants in the liturgy. He was also known for his care to the needy as a miracle worker and healer. Throughout his life he planted apple trees in Ireland during times of famine.

At the age of 38 he was promoted to the primacy of Armagh and several years later as Archbishop upon Cellach’s death, which he accepted with great reluctance.

Having eliminated barbarism and re-establishing Christian morals, Malachy began to think of his own peace. He had brought uniformity and discipline to the clergy life. He resigned at the age of 43 but retained the position as Bishop of Down. He was still unceasing in his labors, duties, and miraculous healings.

He journeyed twice to Rome to visit the Pope for requests of Ireland. On his 2nd journey, he fell ill and died in the arms of his friend, Bernard on November 2, 1148.

One of his remarkable gifts was his prophetic abilities. While he was in Rome, he received a vision revealing the names and poetic descriptions of all the Popes from his time until the end of time. He documented these prophecies in a manuscript that he presented to Pope Innocent II. It was referred to as the “Prophecy of the Popes.”

He is the patron saint of the Archdiocese of Armagh, Down, and Connor.

His feast day is November 3 so as not to clash with All Souls Day.

For God’s Glory.