Saints Feast Day Calendar Saints Feast Day Articles
Articles will be posted here with basic information about the saints on the day of their feast.
Coming soon, there will be a Roman Catholic liturgical calendar with information on the Irish saints highlighted. It will be an interactive calendar and map.
St. Brigid of Kildare February 1st
Brigid's parents were baptized by St. Patrick, with whom she was close. She has been called The Prophetess of Christ, The Queen of the South, The Mary of the Gael. She chose to live the religious life along with seven other virgins. Brigid is considered one of the pillars of the Irish church.
January 31st St Aedan of Ferns
Bishop and missionary, born in Inisbrefny, in County Cavan, around 550. Aedan studied in Wales, at a famed institute of Christian learning under St. David. In 580, he returned to Ireland, going to Ferns on the coast of Wexford.
St. Fursey January 16th
Saint Fursey, an Irish monk, born in the west of Ireland in 575. According to St. bede he was of noble Irish blood. Brendan the Navigator was his uncle and it was on Brendan's Island of Inchiquin that he trained for the religious life. He was important in the conversion of England. Baronius assigns merit for the conversion of East Anglia to Fursey.
St. Ita (Deirdre) January 15th
Ita was reputedly of royal lineage. She was born at Decies, Waterford, Ireland, refused to be married, and secured her father's permission to live a virginal life. She moved to Killeedy, Limerick, and founded a community of women dedicated to God. She also founded a school for boys, and one of her pupils was St. Brendan. She is widely venerated in Ireland and is also known as Deirdre and Mida.
January 3rd St. Munchin
Saint Munchin (Mainchin) is the patron saint of Limerick, Ireland, called “the Wise.” He is believed to have been a Bishop of Limerick, but he is commonly known as Maincin, or “little monk.” It is held that Munchin was born in County Clare.
January 1st Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Peace
The solemnity of the Mother of God. The part played by Mary in the mystery of salvation as Theotokos. The feast It is 'meant also to exalt the singular dignity which this mystery brings to the 'holy Mother . . . through whom we were found worthy . . . to receive the Author of life.'
St. Flannan Dec 18th
St. Flannan was a 7th. century bishop. Son of Turlough, the King of Thomond. Flannan was made Abbot of the Monastery at Killaloe. He made a pilgrimage to Rome where Pope John IV consecrated him. On his return he became first bishop of Killaloe and also preached in the Hebrides.
St. Finnian December 12th
St. Finian of Clonard is known as the “Teacher of the Irish Saints.” He was born in Myshall, in County Carlow, Ireland. Trained by Sts. Cadoc and Gildas in Wales, Finian returned to Ireland where he built schools, monasteries, and churches.
December 8th Feast of The Immaculate Conception
Today we celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception which refers to the Blessed Virgin Mary being conceived without the stain of original sin. The Blessed Mother is the Holy Trinity's masterpiece for she is the perfect creation.
Saint Fergal Nov. 27th
St. Fergal is also known as Virgil of Salzburg. He was born of a noble family and educated in the monastery at Iona. Fergal is listed as Abbot of Aghaboe in County Laois. In 745 he left Ireland on pilgrimage. He settled in France, as many Irish pilgrims seem to have done at that time, and was then invited to Bavaria by Duke Odilo. He founded the monastery of Chiemsee, and later became Abbot of St. Peter’s at Salzburg.