St. Aidan of Lindisfarne Short Biography

Copyright (c) 2011 Beverly Johnson

St. Aidan, an Irishman, possibly born in Connact durring the seventh century. Aidan was a monk at the monastery on the Island of Iona in Scotland. St Aidan was devoted to Christianity, determined to bring Christianity to the mostly pagan people there, and was made a bishop as a young age.

Northumbria's King Oswald requested that St. Aidan spread the word of Christ to the people of Northumbria. St. Aidan welcomed the task of preaching the gospel to the Saxons. He humbly succeeded with his patience where other missionaries before him failed. St. Aidan Builds a Monastery in Lindisfarne

St. Aidan searched for a secluded spot where could pray and teach the faith, he settled on the island of Lindisfarne. Here, he founded the monastery of Lindisfarne in 625 which is still visited by Christians today. Lindisfarne became a center of learning and missionary activity and was known as the Holy Island after St. Aidan established his monastery.

St. Aidan Preaches in the Irish Language

Traveling on foot throughout Lindisfarne, St. Aidan preached in the Irish language, winning over the Northumbrians with his patience and faith. He preached to them about the Bible and the meaning of the Christian faith. Citizens and slaves loved St. Aidan as he bought freedom for many slaves with his own money and tended to the well-being of the children who lived on the island.

St. Aidan Shares Gifts with the Poor

St. Aidan of Lindisfarne shared all his alms and gifts with the poor. King Oswald presented St. Aidan with a fine horse with a royal saddle. When Saint Aidan passed a beggar on the road, St. Aidan gave the horse to him. When the king questioned him about giving away such a fine horse, St. Aidan said that if Jesus could give His life for His people, then a horse is nothing compared to the gift of life.

Many Christians today wear a St. Aidan of Lindisfarne medal as a reminder to share their time, talent, and treasures with others. Wearing a St. Aidan pendant is inspriational in encouraging Christians to follow the way of Jesus Christ.

St. Aidan of Lindisfarne Prayer

Prayer to St. Aidan, Our Patron Saint

O loving God, who called your servant Aidan from the peace of a cloister to re-establish the Christian mission in northern England, and gave him the gifts of gentleness, simplicity, and strength: Grant that we, following his example, may use whatever you have given us for service to God, and may be as determined to spread the Gospel of our Redeemer Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (St. Aidan Catholic Church)


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Beverly Roberts, a Jewelry Designer, specializes in Catholic Jewelry and Christian Jewelry and she has a full selction of Patron Saint Medals. See some pieces devoted to St. Aidan