Saint Who?
Saints Who Were Missionaries
Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne
Bishop († 651) Feast: August 31
In the year 634, Oswald became king of northern England. Oswald was a Christian (and is now honored as a saint), and he asked the monks of Iona Abbey in Scotland to send him a monk to evangelize his people. The first monk who was sent did not remain long. He returned to the abbey and claimed that the English people were too stubborn to be converted. But one of the monks, forty-five-year-old Aidan, argued that the first monk had simply been too harsh. Soon afterward, Aidan was sent to try again.
Aidan had many excellent qualities for a missionary. He had an outstanding knowledge of the Bible and was a gifted preacher who could pique people’s interest about the faith. He also lived a life of monastic simplicity and charity. He walked everywhere, gave away the expensive gifts he was given, and visited the sick and the poor.
Aidan’s intelligence, piety, and strong leadership certainly helped him establish monasteries in Northumbria and attract other men to monastic life. But it was his gentleness and moderation that were the keys to his success as a missionary. He recognized that the people of Northumbria needed to be led to Christ through “the milk of gentle doctrine” and friendliness. Through his example of patience and kindness, northern England became Catholic.
Lord Jesus, show us how to gently teach others
about your love.
