Saint Search
>
Saint Finbarr
Saint Finbarr

Saint Finbarr

Feast Day
Sep 25, 2013
Patronage
Diocese of Cork, City of Cork – Ireland
<p>St. Finbarr was born in Connaught, Ireland.&nbsp; We know that he studied and educated in Kilmacahil, Kilkenny.&nbsp; While there, the Monks named him Finbarr &ndash; meaning &ldquo;White Head&rdquo; because of his light hair.&nbsp; After he had completed his education he returned home and lived on an island in a small lake then called Loch Irce, now called Gougane Barra, as a Hermit.&nbsp; He spent his time as a hermit in communion with God, and his holiness was noted.&nbsp;</p> <p>He spent his life building small churches in various places, and he settled in the city of Cork for the last seventeen years of his life.&nbsp; He had quite a gathering of monks and students around him at this time.&nbsp; He built a monastery where it became a center of learning, and eventually grew into the modern day city of Cork, which didn&rsquo;t exist prior to his building his monastery.&nbsp; He was eventually appointed as the first Bishop of Cork.&nbsp; His Monastery in southern Ireland became so well known that it attracted many from around the area.&nbsp; He eventually went on a pilgrimage to Rome with some of his monks, and tradition states he visited St. David in Wales upon returning to Ireland. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>St. Finbarr died at Cell na Cluaine, while returning from a visit to Gougane Barra.&nbsp; He was buried in the cemetery attached to his Church in Cork.&nbsp; It is reported that many miracles are attributed to him; one most noted that the sun did not set for two weeks in his town, after his death.&nbsp;</p> <h1><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Practical Take Away</strong></span></h1> <p>St. Finbarr was noted for his holiness.&nbsp; He studied the faith and not only was ordained, but became the first Bishop of Cork, and an Abbot.&nbsp; In fact, he built a monastery that became so well known that the area grew into the city of Cork.&nbsp; Many miracles were attributed to him throughout his life, and one of the most noted was after his death.&nbsp; It is said that the sun did not set for two weeks after his death, in his town.&nbsp; He spent his life studying the faith and then sharing that knowledge with others.&nbsp; His monastery in southern Ireland became so well known, that they came from all directions to it, and the area eventual grew into a city.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>