SAINT ADAMNAN, ABBOT - 23 SEPTEMBER

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN SEPTEMBER

Saints celebrated on the 23rd of September

SAINT ADAMNAN, ABBOT

A page of one of Fortunatus Hueber's
Saints' books,
"Stammenbuch..." (1693)

Saint Adamnan (Adamnanus, Adomnanus) was abbot of the monastery of Hy on the island of Hy (Latin: Iona, one of the Hebrides, now Columbkill, i.e. cella Columbae). In A.D. 701, the Picts sent him as peacemaker to Northumberland to King Alcfrid (Alfred). 

On this occasion, in his dealings with the English clergy, Adamnan gained a better insight into the Easter dispute which prevailed in those regions between the Scots and the adherents of the practice now in existence. Fully informed by the English clergy about the new improved way of calculating Easter, Saint Adamnan realised the benefits of this method to such an extent that when he returned to his fatherland he did everything possible to get the Roman Easter celebration accepted. For this purpose he proceeded to travel up and down his country to instruct everyone in it.

To his delight, he was well received everywhere except by his subordinates, but this did not deter him from his zeal. However, one year after he had commenced his efforts, he died (around the year 704 or 705), leaving behind several works, of which that on the Easter celebrations, initially intended for his monks, deserves special mention. According to Bucelin*, his feast day is celebrated on April 8 in England and Scotland.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 1, Augsburg, 1858, pp. 27-28)

*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 Adamnan 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.

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