Saints

Irish monk. This 7th century saint was born in Ireland and is venerated in Ireland and Scotland. He was abbot of Old Leighlan, Co Carlow, founder of Inishmurray, Co Sligo and supported the Roman calculation of Easter. Not much else is known about him. One story suggest that he travelled to Rome and was made a bishop there. According to legend he managed to contract 30 illnesses at once, as a pen... Read More

Abbot. Stephen was probably born in Dorset, during the last part of the 11th century. He studied at Sherbourne Abbey and then travelled abroad, becoming a monk at Molesme in Burgundy. In 1098 he went to Citeaux, with a group of other monks. In 1106 he became the third abbot there. St Stephen was an important reformer of the Cistercian order. His early years at Citeaux were difficult, but when St... Read More

Bishop and martyr. Alphege was born in 954. He became a monk first at Deerhurst and then Bath. In 984 he was made bishop of Winchester, where he served for more than 20 years. During this time, he was known for his great generosity to the poor and his personal austerity. In 994, King Ethelred the Unready sent him to negotiate with the Danes Anlaf and Swein, who had raided London and Wessex. Afte... Read More