Do you remember your first drink? Remember the slang that goes along with having one too many? Tonight, the conclusion to our six minute CBC mini series, "Famous Italians", we present...
Saint Hurley (Hurley of Putrious - the village drunk)
copyright 2004 - Murphy
It's time to expand your knowledge of the lesser known saints. Tonight, we will take a short look at the colourful life of one of the earlier saints of the Roman Catholic church - Saint Hurley of Putrious.
Born in 933AD, Saint Hurley was a quiet yet inquisitive child, known for his devotion to both family and friends. He was one of 18 children raised in poverty. But unlike others born into insufficiency, his destiny would be different. A local nobleman saw great potential in the youngster. He was sent to study with the monks when he turned eleven.
The monks saw to his educational needs, teaching Hurley how to read and write in five languages. They were impressed by his uncanny ability to logically and dispassionately assess the evils of the time. So great were his skills, that, by the age of 18, he had written two books - "Critical Thinking for Dummies" (Greek) and "The Affects of Alcoholic Cyanosis" (Italian).
When Hurley turned eighteen, the monks began his advanced training for monastic life. He was sent to work in the church winery, where he was to learn the lessons of hard work and humility. It was at this time when the future of the young epistolary would change dramatically.
Hurley spent many hours in the vineyards and wandering the grounds of the winery. After one year there, he completed writing his third book - Let the Spirits Move you! Although the title was odd, the monks did not read it and thought the title page was a misprint (in those days, all books were written in longhand - murphy.)
Hurley soon began to show up for vespers disheveled and reeking of wine. After a time, he rarely showed up at all, preferring to go to the village and visit with the locals. It was said that his work in the winery had transformed him from dutiful to a drunkard.
His antics were well known among the villagers in the nearby town of Putrious. Long bouts of drinking were usually followed by frequent trips outside of the village inn to vomit.
The monks knew nothing of this, and there is no doubt that if they had known, they would have come to his aid. Sadly however, in 956 AD, he was struck by a runaway ox cart and was killed.
Years later, his books were recognized by the church as direction for priests, seeking ways to combat ignorance and alcoholism among parishioners. He was recognized by the church in 1444 and elevated to sainthood in 1793.
Historians in the 1800s discovered documents in the village of Putrious describing young Hurley as "a foul smelling, pathetic sight" and "village drunk". A proclamation by the mayor declared, "Vomiting shall henceforth be known as 'hurling', in honour of our king of the grape, novitiate Hurley."
Church officials still support his continuance as a saint. Time has been kind to him. One of the world's lesser known saints, Hurley of Putrious.
Saint Hurley (Hurley of Putrious - the village drunk)
copyright 2004 - Murphy
It's time to expand your knowledge of the lesser known saints. Tonight, we will take a short look at the colourful life of one of the earlier saints of the Roman Catholic church - Saint Hurley of Putrious.
Born in 933AD, Saint Hurley was a quiet yet inquisitive child, known for his devotion to both family and friends. He was one of 18 children raised in poverty. But unlike others born into insufficiency, his destiny would be different. A local nobleman saw great potential in the youngster. He was sent to study with the monks when he turned eleven.
The monks saw to his educational needs, teaching Hurley how to read and write in five languages. They were impressed by his uncanny ability to logically and dispassionately assess the evils of the time. So great were his skills, that, by the age of 18, he had written two books - "Critical Thinking for Dummies" (Greek) and "The Affects of Alcoholic Cyanosis" (Italian).
When Hurley turned eighteen, the monks began his advanced training for monastic life. He was sent to work in the church winery, where he was to learn the lessons of hard work and humility. It was at this time when the future of the young epistolary would change dramatically.
Hurley spent many hours in the vineyards and wandering the grounds of the winery. After one year there, he completed writing his third book - Let the Spirits Move you! Although the title was odd, the monks did not read it and thought the title page was a misprint (in those days, all books were written in longhand - murphy.)
Hurley soon began to show up for vespers disheveled and reeking of wine. After a time, he rarely showed up at all, preferring to go to the village and visit with the locals. It was said that his work in the winery had transformed him from dutiful to a drunkard.
His antics were well known among the villagers in the nearby town of Putrious. Long bouts of drinking were usually followed by frequent trips outside of the village inn to vomit.
The monks knew nothing of this, and there is no doubt that if they had known, they would have come to his aid. Sadly however, in 956 AD, he was struck by a runaway ox cart and was killed.
Years later, his books were recognized by the church as direction for priests, seeking ways to combat ignorance and alcoholism among parishioners. He was recognized by the church in 1444 and elevated to sainthood in 1793.
Historians in the 1800s discovered documents in the village of Putrious describing young Hurley as "a foul smelling, pathetic sight" and "village drunk". A proclamation by the mayor declared, "Vomiting shall henceforth be known as 'hurling', in honour of our king of the grape, novitiate Hurley."
Church officials still support his continuance as a saint. Time has been kind to him. One of the world's lesser known saints, Hurley of Putrious.