Saint Fechin
Saint Fechin of Fore (also: Vigean; born c. 577 AD in County Sligo, Connacht, Ireland; died January 20, 665 AD at Fore, County Westmeath, Ireland) was an Irish abbot who founded the monastery of Fore in County Westmeath and several other monasteries in Ireland and Scotland. He is one of the most venerated saints of Connacht and his cult extended to Scotland, where he is venerated as Saint Vigean in Angus. He died in the great Yellow Plague of 664–665 AD. His feast day is January 20.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Fechin
| Saint Fechin | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | January 20 |
| Profession | Monk; abbot; monastic founder |
| Rel. Affiliation | Irish monastic church |
| Patronage | Fore; County Westmeath; County Sligo; Connacht; St Vigeans (Scotland) |
| Attributes | Abbot's staff; Irish cross; mill; wonders of Fore |
| Birthplace | Bile Fechin (Ballysadare area), County Sligo, Connacht, Ireland |
| Death Place | Fore, County Westmeath, Ireland |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes (Yellow Plague/Buidhe Conaill epidemic of 664–665 AD) |
| Primary Shrine | Fore Abbey (ruins), Fore, County Westmeath — the site of his monastery; medieval Benedictine priory ruins; Seven Wonders pilgrimage site; holy well |
| Liturgical Class | Not in universal Roman Calendar; feast January 20; observed in Diocese of Meath |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Biography
Fechin was born around 577 AD in Connacht (County Sligo). He founded several monasteries, the most important of which was Fore (Fobhar) in County Westmeath. Fore became a major monastic center, and Fechin governed it as abbot for many years.
He also established monasteries at Ballysadare (County Sligo), Omey Island (County Galway), Cong (County Mayo), and possibly others. His cult traveled to Scotland, where he is venerated as Saint Vigean at St Vigeans near Arbroath in Angus — a church containing one of the finest collections of Pictish carved stones in Scotland.
He died on January 20, 665, in the great plague epidemic known as the Buidhe Conaill (Yellow Plague) that devastated Ireland and Britain in 664–665. The Irish Annals record that Fechin died in the plague alongside many other saints. A tradition holds that he voluntarily offered his life and those willing to die with him so that the plague would not kill the ordinary people of Ireland.
The Seven Wonders of Fore — a cluster of traditional miracles associated with the site of his monastery — remain one of the more distinctive Irish pilgrimage traditions: the wonders are centered on a mill, a holy well, a great stone lintel, and other features of the Fore valley. Fore is a well-preserved medieval village with Benedictine priory ruins (much later than Fechin's era) and a continuing pilgrimage tradition.
His feast is January 20.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Bile Fechin (Ballysadare area), County Sligo, Connacht, Ireland
Death location: Fore, County Westmeath, Ireland
Notable location:
Notable location: He founded a monastery near here, close to his birthplace in Connacht; the area is associated with his early life (Ballysadare, County Sligo, Ireland)
Notable location: His cult extended to Scotland, where he is venerated as Saint Vigean; the village of St Vigeans near Arbroath preserves a remarkable collection of Pictish carved stones in a church dedicated to him (Arbroath / St Vigeans, Angus, Scotland)
Notable location:
Notable location:
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Fore Abbey, Fore, County Westmeath — site of his monastery; Seven Wonders pilgrimage; holy well.
- St Vigeans Church, near Arbroath, Angus, Scotland — Pictish carved stones; dedicated to him as Saint Vigean.
Feast day
January 20
Veneration
Saint Fechin is venerated in the Diocese of Meath with a feast day on January 20.
Prayers
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