TODAY'S SAINT (Finian of Clonard)

FINIAN OF CLONARD

(ca. 470-549)

Founder and teaccher of "the Twelve Apostle of Ireland"

and other Irish saints

Finian of Clonard was born about 470 in Myshall, County Carlow, Ireland. He studied under SS. Cadoc and Gildas in Wales, then returned to Ireland where he founded schools, monasteries and churches. His school at Clonard was the most famous, and attracted some of the most famous saints of Ireland, including Columba and Brendan of Clonfort. Finian was abbot, or by some aaccounts, bishop, though he may never have been officially conscrated in that position. He died during a plague epidemic.

Feast: December 12