SAINT MEDANUS, BISHOP - 14 NOVEMBER

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN NOVEMBER

Saints celebrated on the 14th of November

SAINT MEDANUS, BISHOP 

About Saint Medanus (Meldanus) little reliable is known apart from his name and his parentage. Irish by birth, he dwelt at Oirbsen (Erbsen) monastery at Connaught (Connacia, Connactia), County Galway (comitatus Galluicensis), and was counselor to St Furseus [St Fursey].  

Kelly* calls him Abbot-Bishop of Inisquin. His father (or his family) was called Hua-Coim - no further details are given.

After their deaths, St Furseus had St Medanus' and St Beona's [SS. Meldan and Beoan, see St Fursey, January 16] mortal remains translated to the town of Peronne (Perona), on the Somme (Somona), and buried them in the Apostles' Church there. St Furseus used to then watch and pray at their resting place for nights on end.

St Medanus once appeared with many other saints in heavenly splendour and gave Furseus instructions. Among other things he said: "Four things spoil the souls of believers: the enticing sins of the worldly children, the seductive voice of the evil enemy, the negligence of teachers, the evil examples of bad princes." 

(Other dates on which St Medanus is commemorated are: February 7, August 2, and October 26.)

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 4, Augsburg, 1875)

*A hagiography source used by the authors 

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Medanus 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.