The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

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The Highland Monthly.
'S iadsan a bha duilich deurach
'Nuair nach b' urrainn doibh ga sheanchas,
'S tuirseach a bha iad mu dheighinn
Na tri la bha iad ga 'shireadh ;
'Nam 'bhi dol seachad an Teampuill
Dh' aithnich iad a chainnt gu beothail,
Eadar na doctoirean teagaisg,
Bu deise 'thigeadh dha labhairt.
This subject, too, forms one of the Seven Dolours of
Mary recognised by the Catholic Church. During the
search the Virgin Mary, we are told, made a Frith which
enabled her to discover the Saviour among the doctors in
the Temple, and left it for the benefit of future generations.
The Frith is not yet an institution of the past in some
of the Outer Islands ; and when the fate of absent ones is
causing friends anxiety, or when it is uncertain whether
the illness of men or the lower animals may speedily pass
away or terminate fatally, a FritJi is made. A Frith may
be made at any time ; but the first Monday of the quarter
—a chiad Di-luan den Raidhe— is considered the most
auspicious.
The mode of making the FritJi is as follows :— In the
morning the Ave Maria, or BeaiinacJiadJi Moire, is said
thus :
—
Beannaichear dhut a Mhoire,^
Tha thu Ian dhe na grasan ;
Tha 'n Tighearna maille riut ;
—
'S beannuichte thu measg nam mna ;
'S beannaichte toradh do bhronn— lo^a.
A Naomh Mhoire—Mhathair Dhe
Guidh air ar sonainne, na peacaich,
Nis agus aig uair ar bais—Amen.
After repeating the Ave, the person proceeds with closed
eyes to the door. On reaching the maide^uinn, or door-
step, he opens his eyes, and if he sees the Cross ( Crois
Chriosda) although it were only made with two straws lying
^ This version of the Ave Maria I noted from an old Uist lady. Other
versions commenoe '" Faille dhut a Mhoire." In Domlevy's Irish Catechism,
previously referred to, it begins " Dia do bheatha a Mhuire."