St. Ethbin of Kildare, Abbot
19 October
Born in Great Britain; died c. 600. Saint Ethbin's noble father died when he
was only about 15 years old. His widowed mother then entrusted
his education to his countryman, the great
Saint Samson
(f.d. July 28),
at
Dol Abbey in Brittany. At Mass one day, he really heard the words:
"Every one of you that cannot renounce all that he possesses, cannot be my
disciple." He immediately resolved to renounce the world. Because he was a
deacon, Ethbin sought the permission of his bishop to withdraw from the
world. Upon receiving it, Ethbin retired to the abbey of Taurac in 554. For
his spiritual director, the saint chose another:
Saint Winwaloee
(f.d. March 3).
The community was dispersed by a
Frankish raid in 556 and Winwaloee died soon thereafter. Ethbin then
crossed over to Ireland, where he led the life of a hermit in a forest
near Kildare called Nectensis (unidentified) for 20 years.
His relics are claimed by Montreuil and Pont-Mort (Eure), France. It has
been suggested by P. Grosjean that the "silva" called "Necensis"
could be a corruption of Silvanectensis (i.e., Senlis, France), rather than
Ireland
(Benedictines,
Benedictines,
Benedictines).
Troparion of St Ethbin
Tone 8
As a disciple of our Father Samson,
thou wast radiant in thy asceticism, O Father Ethbin,
and having been driven out of Tantac by the unruly Franks
thou didst seek refuge in the remoteness of Erin's green desert.
Wherefore, O Saint, pray for us that we may not be swayed from our course,
despite all difficulties, that our souls may be saved.
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content © 2008, Ambrose Mooney
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Page last updated: 22 October 2008
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