Saints

Abbot. Modomnoc was born in the 6th century, and, according to legend was a son of the royal O'Neill family of Ireland. He studied under St David at his Menevia monastery in Pembrokeshire. One of his duties as a monk was looking after the beehives. Stories tell that a swarm of his bees settled on his ship when it was time for him to return to Ireland - and so he was the person that introduced be... Read More

Martyrs. Born in 1540, James Fenn came from Montacute, near Yeovil in Somerset. His brothers John and Robert were both priests. He studied at Corpus Christi College in Oxford, where he was known as a fine singer - but he was expelled when he refused to take the oath of supremacy declaring Queen Elizabeth head of the Church. He became a schoolmaster and got married in the village where he was bor... Read More

St Valentine Two early Christian martyrs called Valentine are listed on this day in the Roman Martyrology. One was a Roman priest, who died for his faith on the Flaminian Way under Claudius II. The other was a bishop of Terni who was killed in Rome. Some historians believe they are the same person. There is no evidence to link the tradition of sending Valentine cards with the saint - but according... Read More