Saint Finian of Clonard
Saint Finian of Clonard (born c. 470 AD in Myshall, County Carlow, Ireland; died December 12, 549 AD at Clonard, County Meath, Ireland) was an Irish abbot who founded the great monastery of Clonard in County Meath, which became the most influential monastic school in early Irish Christianity. He is called the Teacher of the Irish Saints because the Twelve Apostles of Ireland — including Saint Ciaran of Clonmacnoise, Saint Brendan of Clonfert, Saint Columba, and Saint Columban — were all trained at Clonard. He died in the Yellow Plague. His feast day is December 12.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Finian of Clonard
| Saint Finian of Clonard | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | December 12 |
| Profession | Monk; abbot; ''Teacher of the Irish Saints'' |
| Rel. Affiliation | Irish monastic church |
| Patronage | Clonard; County Meath; Ireland; monastic teachers; the Twelve Apostles of Ireland |
| Attributes | Abbot's staff; twelve monks (the Twelve Apostles of Ireland); Irish cross; book |
| Birthplace | Myshall, County Carlow, Leinster, Ireland |
| Death Place | Clonard, County Meath, Ireland |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes (Yellow Plague) |
| Primary Shrine | Church of Saint Finian, Clonard, County Meath — on the site of his great monastery; his feast observed here; pilgrimage site |
| Liturgical Class | Not in universal Roman Calendar; feast December 12; observed in Diocese of Meath |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Biography
Finian was born around 470 AD in Myshall, County Carlow. He received his early formation in Ireland and then — unusually for an Irish saint of his era — traveled to Wales, where he studied under the great Welsh monastic founders including Saint David of Wales (Dewi Sant), Saint Cadoc, and Saint Gildas. He spent years in Wales absorbing the Welsh-Egyptian monastic tradition.
He returned to Ireland and founded several monasteries, but his greatest and most influential foundation was Clonard on the River Boyne in County Meath, established around 520 AD. Clonard grew rapidly. At its height, the monastic school is said to have had 3,000 monks — a figure indicating a large and influential community. More important than the numbers was the quality of his teaching.
The entire generation of saints known as the Twelve Apostles of Ireland (Na Naomh na hÉireann) are traditionally said to have studied at Clonard: Ciaran of Clonmacnoise, Brendan of Clonfert, Columba of Iona, Columban of Luxeuil, and eight others. Through these disciples, Finian's influence radiated to every corner of Ireland and beyond — to Scotland (through Columba), to Gaul (through Columban), and to England. He is thus the spiritual grandfather of most of Irish-Scottish Christianity.
Finian died on December 12, 549, in the Yellow Plague — an epidemic that struck Ireland and Britain in that year. He is buried at Clonard. His feast is December 12.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Myshall, County Carlow, Leinster, Ireland
Death location: Clonard, County Meath, Ireland
Notable location: The site of his great monastery; reputedly trained 3,000 monks; the birthplace of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland; the site is occupied by the village of Clonard today; a medieval Catholic church at Clonard preserves his memory (Clonard, County Meath, Ireland)
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Church of Saint Finian, Clonard, County Meath — on the site of the great monastery; pilgrimage destination; his feast celebrated here.
Feast day
December 12
Veneration
Saint Finian of Clonard is venerated in the Diocese of Meath with a feast day on December 12.
Prayers
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