Word in the Hand

Patrick - dear saint of our Isle Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." There's a fair amount of information on St Patrick   this  site is fairly open to both legend and fact - such as it is. Patrick's missionary work was nowhere near Lindisfarne and centuries earlier than the brothers and sisters we celebrate this week. Which, I suppose, is the point on several levels.  To be reminded that we are all 'dwarves standing on the shoulders of giants'. That we are all beholden in our belonging and our traditions to those who have gone before. We have all sat at the feet of someone who told us this story that we seek to be a part of.  Also, that Lindisfarne, and anywhere else that we regard as sacred, may be places for rest and renewal, but our ministry is mo...

Boisil - Healer and Teacher                                               Genesis 1:22 God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth. Saint Boisil, Confessor, was a Northumbrian trained  at Lindisfarne Priory by Saint Aidan.  He became a monk and quickly rose to be Prior of Melrose Abbey. Bede tells us that the saint was a man of  virtues as well as an eminent scholar.  He was widely known and sought after for his herbal remedies, and for his blessing of the healing properties of the two local springs containing iron salts. Interestingly, these wells are clearly marked on the OS maps of today - the Wellbury Well in the bank just below his chapel, and the Hare (corruption of ‘Heir’ meaning ‘Holy’)Well which lies near St Boswells...

Ebba -Warrior Princess Genesis 1:16,17    God also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, Moon through the Rainbow Arch, Lindisfarne Priory Having just celebrated Ebba's feast day my post on her is  here Another saint with a few legends and fewer facts considering her position as prioress of the double monastery at Coldingham.  The reports tell that she was a devout and holy woman so suggests that perhaps she wasn't particularly interested in promoting her own achievements to the world. Some people make better stars than suns and moons. As the sister of Oswald and Oswy she certainly had great value as a marriage partner. But although some tales tell that she entered religious life to escape the attentions of a prince; as a new found Christian this may not have been a decision forced upon her.  it may well have been that, like her brothers, Ebba saw herself as n...

Felgild - the Unknown  Genesis 1:11 Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed—bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." What information there is about Felgild is  here There is so little known about Felgild and I admit that I have ne ver been as far as the Farne Islands.  It may feel that this day is hardly worthwhile. But then I also agree with the sentiments of the Northumbria Community - the faith is made up mostly of the un-named and the unknown - with thanks to God for having us all written on his hand.  Like Peter's mother-in-law, Felgild is cured of his illness so that we may be certain that God knows each and every one of us and provides, in one way or another, the means for us to fulfill our particular and perculiar ministries and vocations.  The history of the Lindisfarne Monks suggests a gathering of at least twelve men with t...

Cuthbert - Anam Cara Genesis 1:6 And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters  to separate water from water." Information about the life of Cuthbert  here seal off Cuthbert's isle In my heart I feel a great similarity between Cuthbert and Francis of Assisi. Cuthbert doesn't seem to carry the angst that Francis suffers; perhaps because elder 'brother' Aidan had gone before him. He holds the same sense of mindfulness of the world around him; tales of praying otters and friendly 'Cuddy' (Eider) ducks add to the sense of a man at one with creation. Like Aidan he carries with him the sense of God's hospitality which results in a ministry of welcoming others with a kindness that is both physical and spiritual. The wildness of Lindisfarne is even now held in a breath of God's peace which captures the pilgrim with the first step onto the island and is in everything. Massie's Cafe...

Aidan - Flame of the North  Genesis 1:3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.  The end of this week sees the feast day of St Aidan and the Lindisfarne saints. On the island this is a week of thanksgiving.  For a wonderful account of the life of Aidan see Canon Kate Tristam's article  here .  St Aidan's Bamburgh from the Baptistry When I have the time, my visits to Lindisfarne include paying my respects to Wilfrid at Hexham and then Aidan at St Aidan's in Bamburgh. By tradition, Aidan died in an earlier wooden church on this site and the beam he was leaning against has survived two major fires. Benedictines rebuilt the church in the 12th Century, honouring the memory of the Celtic 'apostle'.  In a symbol of resurrection the beam is now part of the roof work over the baptistry.  There is a simple shrine over the ground where he lay and, touchingly, prayer tokens take the celtic shape of...