Mo Chua of Balla

Saint Cronan Mochua
Born	6th century Ireland
Died	30 March 637(637-03-30) Ireland
Honored in	Roman Catholicism
Feast	30 March

Mo Chua or Crónán mac Bécáin (died 694) was the founder of Balla, whose diocese was subsequently merged into that of Tuam, Ireland. He is not to be confused (though he often is) with his contemporary Crónán of Roscrea (died 640).

Mo Chua flourished in the period 596-637, but his acts are more or less of a legendary character. However, it would appear that he was educated at Bangor, under St. Comgall, and founded a monastery at Gael, among the Feara De Rois of Louth and Monaghan, whence he migrated to Fore and Tehilly.

Passing through Hy Many, he journeyed to Connacht, in 616, and founded the church and Abbey of Balla, of which he was first abbot-bishop. Numerous miracles are recorded of St. Cronan Mochua, and are minutely described in his Irish biography. Teleportation of meat from one place to another is one of them.

His feast is celebrated on 30 March, though, through a misconception, his acts are given by the Bollandists under the date of 1 January.

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed (1913). Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company.