Saint Fursey
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Saint Fursey (also known as Fursa, Fursy, Forseus) (d. 650) was an Irish monk who did much to establish Christianity throughout the British Isles and particularly in East Anglia.
He was born around the area of modern day Munster, supposedly the grandson of Finlog, pagan king of the area. His mother was the Christian daughter of Aed-Finn, king of Connaught. At an early age he was inducted into the monastery at Inisquin (near Galway) where he devoted himself to religious life. He arrived in East Anglia, with his brothers Foillan and Ultan, around 633 and was welcomed by the Christian king Sigeberht of East Anglia who gave him lands on which to build an abbey at Burgh Castle. He was regarded as something of a mystic and ascetic, wearing thin clothing all year around have experiencing illness accompanied by visions of after death experiences. However, as great numbers continued to visit him, he left Foillan as abbot and sought refuge in France around 644. A patron gave him a hermitage at Lagny on the Maine. He died about 650 at Mézerolles while on a journey. His body was buried in Pronne, which became a great centre of devotion to him. His feast day is January 16.[1]
[edit] References
- Ann Williams, Alfred P Smyth and DP Kirkby (1991). A Biographical Dictionary of Dark Age Britain. Seaby. ISBN 1-85264-047-2
- Suffolk in Anglo Saxon Times (Steven Plunkett) Tempus Publishing 2005. ISBN 0-7524-3139-0
- ^ Daily Liturgical Calendar 2006. Retrieved on 2006-09-16.
- Fursey at the Catholic Encyclopedia
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