St. Bede, Priest and Doctor of the Church: c. 673-735 A.D.
Feast day, May 25
Birth and life as a monk
St. Bede or Venerable Bede, was born in the lands near St. Peter and St. Paul monastery at Wearmouth-Jarrow, England, in 673 A.D. Almost all that is known of Bede's life comes from the last chapter of his greatest work, Historia Ecclesiastica, an ecclesiastical history of England. This work he completed in 729 A.D. In contrast to St. Athanasius, who lived the most tumultuous life among all the Doctors of the Church, St. Bede lived the most peaceful life of all. He spent almost his entire life, from the age of seven years, in a Benedictine monastery on the River Tyne in northeastern England. His parents gave him to Abbot Benedict Biscop and Ceolfrid from whom Bede received an excellent education.
Priest, monk and scholar
At nineteen years of age, Bede was ordained a deacon. When he reached thirty years old, he was ordained a priest. Except for a few brief visits elsewhere, Bede spent his life mostly in the monastery, devoting himself to the study of Scripture, and to teaching and writing. He became an extraordinary scholar, well-versed in all the sciences of his times: natural philosophy, astronomy, arithmetic, grammar, the philosophy of Aristotle, the lives of saints, and history. He is considered one of the most learned men of his time and a major influence to English literature.
The "Venerable" saint
Bede was honoured as a saint even in his lifetime. In recognition for his saintliness and scholarship, he was entitled "the Venerable". This title was formalized at the Council of Aix-la-Chapelle (or Aachen) in 853 A.D., eighteen years after his death. Because of his holiness, Bede's advice and counsel were sought after by noblemen and even the pope. Although Bede was canonized a saint, "Venerable Bede" seems to remain a special designation and name for this holy Benedictine monk.
His numerous scholarly writings
Although Historia Ecclesiastica was Bede's greatest work, it was only one among many writings. All in all, St. Bede wrote forty-five books: thirty of which were commentaries on the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, and sections of the Old and New Testaments. He also produced a scientific study based on the Roman writers Pliny the Younger and Suetonius, a biography of St. Cuthbert, and a history of the lives of the abbots of Wearmouth and Jarrow. In 1899 A.D., in recognition for his wisdom and learning, he was named a Doctor of the Church. He is the only English saint honored with this title.
Illness and death
St. Bede's last days began when he experienced an illness about ten days before Easter of 735 A.D. Though ill, he was still able to dictate two new books - one a translation of St. John's Gospel into Anglo-Saxon, and the other a collection of notes from St. Isidore of Seville. He died on Ascension Eve in 735 A.D. at the age of 62 years old. The Church celebrates his feast on May 25.
From a Letter on the Death of Bede, by Cuthbert:
When evening came, young Wilbert said to Bede, "Dear master, there is still one sentence that we have not written down."
Bede said: "Quick, write it down."
In a little while, Wilbert said: "There; now it is finished."
Bede said: "Good. You have spoken the truth; it is finished. Hold my head in your hands, for I really enjoy sitting opposite the holy place where I used to pray; I can call upon my Father as I sit there."
And so Bede, as he lay upon the floor of his cell, sang: "Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit." Then he breathed his last breath.
References of this article
- Dictionary of Saints, by John J. Delaney
- Saints for Our Time, by Ed Ransom
- The Doctors of the Church vol 1, by John F. Fink
- A Year With the Saints, by Don Bosco Press, Inc.
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