ST FINIAN, BISHOP - 12 DECEMBER

SAINT FINIAN, BISHOP OF CLONARD, CONFESSOR

Among the early teachers of the Irish church the name of Saint Finian (St Finan) is one of the most famous next to that of St Patrick.

St Finian was a native of Leinster, was instructed in the elements of Christian virtue by the disciples of St Patrick, and out of an ardent desire of making greater progress passed over into Wales, where he conversed with St David, St Gildas, and St Cathmael, three eminent British saints.

HE RETURNED TO IRELAND

After having remained thirty years in Britain, about the year 520 he returned into Ireland, excellently qualified by sanctity and sacred learning to restore the spirit of religion among his countrymen, which had begun to decay.

Like a loud trumpet sounding from heaven, he roused the sloth and insensibility of the lukewarm and softened the hearts that were most hardened, and had been long immersed in worldly business and pleasure.

HE ESTABLISHED SEVERAL MONASTERIES

To propagate the work of God, St Finian established several monasteries and schools; the chief of which was Clonard, in Meath, which was the saint’s principal residence.

Out of his school came several of the principal saints and doctors of Ireland, as Kiaran the Younger, Columkille, Columba, the son of Crimthain, the two Brendans, Laserian, Canicus or Kenny, Ruadan, and others. [The Twelve Apostles of Ireland]

HE WEPT WITH THOSE WHO WEPT

St Finian was chosen and consecrated bishop of Clonard. The great monastery which he erected at Clonard was a famous seminary of sacred learning.

St Finian, in the love of his flock, and his zeal for their salvation, equalled the Basils and the Chrysostoms, was infirm with the infirm, and wept with those who wept. He healed the souls, and often also the bodies of those who applied to him.

HIS FOOD WAS BREAD AND HERBS

His food was bread and herbs, his drink water, and his bed the ground, with a stone for his pillow.

He departed to our Lord on December 12, 552, according to the Inisfallen Annals, quoted by Usher, but according to others in 564.

From Fr Butler's Lives of the Saints

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