12 December – Feast of St Finian, Patron of Meath

Born in the sixth century, St Finian made his way to Clonard in County Meath were he established a school for Christian learning.  It is recorded that no fewer than 3,000 pupils were educated at one time in Clonard.  St Finian appears to have had a special gift for teaching, particularly in exposition of Sacred Scriptures.  Many of his pupils became great teachers and established monastic schools throughout Ireland and Europe.  The work of St Finian contributed in no small part to the reputation of Ireland as “the land of saints and scholars”.  Click here for further details on the life and mission of St Finian.

By the work of your bishop Saint Finian, Lord

you formed a multitude of Saints

in the knowledge of the Gospel

and in the monastic life;

in our own day raise up, we pray, at his intercession,

saints to edify your people

by the vitality of their Christian lives.

We make this prayer through Christ our Lord, Amen.