ST ANDREW OF FIESOLE, DEACON AND CONFESSOR - 22 AUGUST

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN AUGUST

Saints celebrated on the 22nd of August

WELCOME!

SAINT ANDREW OF FIESOLE, DEACON AND CONFESSOR 

(Saint Andrew the Scot) was Archdeacon of Fiesole, born probably at the beginning of the ninth century; died about 877. 

St Andrew and his sister St Bridget the Younger were born in Ireland of noble parents. There they seem to have studied under St Donatus, an Irish scholar, and when the latter decided to make a long pilgrimage to the holy places of Italy, Andrew accompanied him. 

A PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY PLACES

Donatus and Andrew arrived at Fiesole when the people were assembled to elect a new bishop. A heavenly voice indicated Donatus as most worthy of the dignity, and being consecrated to that office, he made Andrew his archdeacon. 

ANDREW IS COMMENDED FOR HIS AUSTERITY AND CHARITY

During the forty-seven years of his episcopate Andrew served him faithfully, and he was apparently encouraged by Donatus to restore the church of St Martin a Mensola and to found a monastery there. 

Andrew is commended for his austerity of life and boundless charity to the poor. 

SISTER BRIDGET ASSISTED AT HIS DEATH BED

He died shortly after his master St Donatus; and his sister Saint Brigid [Bridget] is believed to have been miraculously conducted from Ireland by an angel to assist at his deathbed. 

After St Andrew’s holy death, Bridget led the life of a recluse for some years in a remote spot among the Apennines. St Andrew is commemorated on August 22. 

From Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913 

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Andrew may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.