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Icon of St.
Kieran, Abbot of Clonmacnois
Feast: Sept. 8
St.
Kieran attended the monastic school of St. Finian at Clonard, and is
accounted one of the 12 "Apostles of Erin." On Jan. 25, 545, he founded
the coenobium of Clonmacnois. He was a great miracle worker and
ascetic. There was a more beautiful spot for his monastery, but the
Saint refused it, on the grounds that the monks would enjoy too many of
the good things of this fleeting life, and neglect the heavenly things.
St. Seraphim is known for the bear that served him; St. Kieran for the
dun cow which accompanied and served him. On the verge of his repose,
he looked up and said, "Awful is this road upward!" The brethren said,
"It is not awful for you." He replied, "Indeed I do not know that I
have transgressed any of God's commandments, yet even David son of
Jesse, and Paul the Apostle, dreaded this journey." As he passed from
this world he said, "He that shall persevere to the end, he shall be
saved!" Holy Kieran, pray for us that we may persevere in the Faith
which bore thee aloft, and may not be overwhelmed by the world which
lies in evil!
Icon by
the hand of Aidan Hart, Oecumenical Patriarchate, UK.
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