Saints

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

Visionary, and later nun. Born in 1844, Bernadette was the eldest of six children born to Francois Soubirous, a miller, and his wife Louise. The family lived in great poverty. When they couldn't afford to pay the rent, after 1857 the family were forced to live in one room of an old prison. Throughout her childhood Bernadette suffered many illnesses, including cholera. She had asthma all her life... Read More

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