December 12, 2021

St. Finian of Clonard (d. 549) was the "Teacher of the Irish Saints." He was born in Myshall, in County Carlow, Ireland. Trained by Sts. Cadoc and Gildas in Wales, Finian returned to Ireland where he built schools, monasteries, and churches. Clonard at Meath was his most famous foundation, and under his direction it became a renowned scriptural school. He is listed as a bishop. St. Columba was one of his students, as he trained the "Twelve Apostles of Ireland" at Clonard. He died there during a plague.

St. Finian please pray for us to have more spiritual schools and students with great interest to learn about God.