Happy St. Kevin’s Day
ST. KEVIN OF GLENDALOUGH
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St. Kevin of Glendalough (498-618) lived in Ireland during
the age of the great early Irish saints, many of whom were his contemporaries.
He was baptized by St. Cronan, and from age 7 was taught by
St. Petroc. From age 12 he studied under the Irish monks as a student of St.
Eonagh, and he eventually became a monk himself. Among his friends were St.
Comgall, St. Columba, St. Cannich, and St. Kieran.
After his ordination he lived a penitential life as a
cave-dwelling hermit for seven years. Word of his holiness spread, and he
attracted a group of followers which led him to found the famous monastery at
Glendalough. Because of his fame this remote spot soon became a town and then a
city, with offshoots of several other monastic foundations rising up around it.
He served as abbot at Glendalough, and once the monastery was well-established
he withdrew to live as a hermit again for four years.
He was then called back to Glendalough, and continued to
serve as abbot there until his death at age 120.
St. Kevin has many legends surrounding him involving wild
animals obeying his commands, seeking him for refuge, and helping him feed
others. St. Kevin is the patron of blackbirds, Glendalough, the Archdiocese of
Dublin, and he is one of the patron saints of Ireland. His feast day is June
3rd.
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