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Saint Egbert of Rathemigisi

Also known as

Egbert of Iona
Egbert of Lindisfarne
Egbert of Northumbria
Egbert of Ripon
Ecgberht of….

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.