Saints

Abbot. Gerald was an Englishman who became a monk at Lindisfarne in the 8th century. He then travelled to Inishbofin in Galway with St Colman of Lindisfarne and was later made abbot of the English part of the monastery, at Mayo. The community became known as the Mayo of the Saxons. It flourished and was known as a great centre of study. St Gerald also founded the abbeys of Tempul-Gerald in Conna... Read More

Bishop. Patron of Paul in Cornwall. He is also known as Saint Pol de Leon. According to his Life written by Wrmonoc, a 10th century monk from Landevennec, he was the son of a Welsh chieftain who was educated at the monastery of St Iltyd. He became a monk, and together with 12 companions migrated to Brittany where they built a number of churches and monasteries. He became bishop at Pol, which was... Read More

Wife, mother and queen. Matilda was born at Engern in Westphalia in 895. Married to the German King Henry I, the Fowler, she had five sons, including the Emperor Otto I and St Bruno, Archbishop of Cologne. Matilda was widowed at a young age and for 32 years suffered ill-treatment from Otto. Another son Henry, who was called The Quarrelsome, also gave her a difficult time. Otto and Henry both com... Read More