April 24 - Saint Egbert - Monastic - 729 - Iona Scotiae
From the 1908 Roman Breviary.
Saint Egbert of Rathemigisi
Also known as
Egbert of Iona
Egbert of Lindisfarne
Egbert of Northumbria
Egbert of Ripon
Ecgberht of….
Memorial
24 April
Profile
Born to the Northumbrian nobility. Benedictine monk at the monastery of Lindisfarne, England. Unsuccessfully worked to stop King Egfrith from invading Ireland in 684. Studied at Rathmelsigi monastery, (modern Mellifont, County Louth) Ireland, and then served as a teacher to newer brothers. Once, near death from plague, he prayed for a longer life to have time to do penance; he vowed to live in exile, and never returned to England. Priest. Travelling bishop. Sent Saint Wigbert, Saint Willibrord of Echternach and other missionaries to evangelize the pagans of Friesland. He wanted to go to the foreign missions himself, but was instructed in 688 by a vision of Saint Boisil to work for reform of monastic life. In 716 he finally accepted the assignment, and travelled to Iona to the houses following the Rule of Saint Columba. There he spent 13 years gently, prayerfully convincing the monks to accept Roman ways, especially in the method of computing Easter. Died immediately following the celebration of Easter Mass.
Born
c.639 in Northumbria, England
Died
24 April 729 at the island of Iona, Scotland of natural causes
Canonized
Pre-Congregation
cybrotius