30/08/2026
Today 31st August we celebrate the feast of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne.
Saint Aidan was of Irish lineage, he was a monk on the Island of Iona where Ireland’s first missionary St Columba had established his monastery about a century earlier.
The foundation had steadily grown in numbers and reputation to become a Centre of Celtic Christianity sending monks across Europe to bring learning to the people and spread the Word of God there.
During Aidan’s time on Iona King Oswald of Northumbria had been dethroned and sought refuge on the Island.
When he reclaimed his throne in 634 he invited Aidan to come and re-convert his people who had given up their faith. St. Aidan was not the first missionary to Northumbria, another monk had been sent previously but was unsuccessful and returned saying that the people were too stubborn and no matter what he did he could not persuade them to come back to Christ.
When Saint Aidan heard this report he stood up and challenged his brother monk for his bad attitude and he ended his remarks by saying,
“You should have followed the practice of the Apostles, and begun by giving them the milk of simpler teaching, gradually nourishing them with the Word of God until they were capable of greater perfection and able to follow the loftier precepts of Christ.”
On hearing this King Oswald and the Abbott of Iona knew that they had found in Aidan a person of discretion and patient perseverance and he was invited to go with the King to Northumbria.
Aidan set up his base on the remote and rocky Island of Lindisfarne, building his monastery there. With his gentle nature and simple life style he soon converted many people in the North of England and established a number of foundations there. He took an interest in people and their lives engaging equally with those he encountered in his missionary work no matter what their background or circumstances.
We pray for the gifts of quiet determination, patience and an understanding of people. May we meet people where they’re at and guide them to where God wants them to be. May our legacy be love and may what we do and say in the name of Christ bear fruit, fruit that will last. St Aidan pray for us.
Ann McCay
