English Monk and Bishop (d. 664)
His life
+ Cedd, the brother of Saints Chad and Cynibild, was born in Northumbria.
+ A monk in the Benedictine abbey of Lindisfarne, he was also a spiritual student of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne.
+ Following his ordination to the priesthood, Cedd served as a missionary in the English Midlands. He later helped bring about the conversions of the Mercians and East Saxons, helping to secure the future of Christianity in England.
+ Cedd was consecrated as bishop of the East Saxons and established numerous churches and monasteries. He is sometimes listed among the bishops of London.
+ In 664, he took part in the historic Synod of Whitby, where he acted as an interpreter and supported the adoption of the Roman date of observing Easter.
+ In his final years, Cedd returned to his monastic roots and retired to a monastery in Lastingham.
+ Saint Cedd died on October 26, 664. His memory is celebrated by Catholics, the Orthodox, and in the Anglican Communion. Because of his skills with languages, he has come to be honored as a patron saint of interpreters.
For prayer and reflection
“Tell his glory among the nations; / among all peoples, his marvelous deeds.
For great is the Lord and highly to be praised, / to be feared above all gods.”—Psalm 96:3-4
Prayer
O God, by whose untold mercy blessed Cedd preached the good news of the unfathomable riches of Christ, grant that through his intercession we may grow in knowledge of you and, bearing fruit in every good work, faithfully walk in your presence, in accord with the truth of the Gospel. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(from The Roman Missal: Common of Pastors—For a Missionary)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
And today we celebrate...