Reflection on St Bede's feast day

Bede writing, from a 12th-century copy of his Life of St Cuthbert (Yates Thompson MS 26, f. 2r)

Re: Saint Bede, 25 May 2026 - www.indcatholicnews.com/saint/155

I worked with young offenders. One lad had stolen a carer's car after being wrongly accused of something. 'It hurt' he said.

He had been volunteering. Some time later I said he had integrity. 'What's that?' he asked. I told him a story from Bede of a preacher who had gone to live with an ancient hill tribe. They were having a battle and expected him to come.

'No,' he said, 'I won't hurt another man.' After pressure he agreed to join the fight, but with no weapon other than his usual staff.

'Wow!!!' said my young man. Next day he went to the police and told them all he knew of the local drug gangs. Bede's work still pays dividends.

Lynne Pardoe