St. Cuthbert

Saint Cuthbert

Burton, Edward. "Saint Cuthbert." The Catholic Encyclopedia.  ?: Robert Appleton Co. 1908.


St. Cuthbert, bishop of Lindisfarne (634/635 - 687), as a young man, entered the monastery of Melrose (Mailros) in Northumbria after having a divine vision while herding sheep. He was for a while a soldier for Northumbria during their four year war with Mercia. In 664, the Synod of Whitbychose the Roman form of Christianity over Celtic Christianity. Cuthbert was then sent by the Synod of Whitby to be the Prior at Lidesfarne to help introduce Roman customs to the Celts there. In 676, Cuthbert chose to leave his Priory and lead a more contemplative life. He would be one of the world's first conservationist. He was called from his retirement and elected Bishop of Lindisfarne.


Throughout his life, Cuthbert was said to perform miracles. Oddly enough, his body continued to perform miracles even after his death. When his relics were moved years after his death, his exhumed body was found to be incorrupt.