October 26

Saint Cedd

Roman Martyrology

Monk of Lindisfarne who brought the Gospel to the East Saxons of Essex

Cedd was an Anglo-Saxon from Northumbria in the seventh century, one of four brothers who became priests. He was trained at Lindisfarne, the island monastery founded by the Irish monk Aidan. Most of what we know comes from the historian Bede, writing in the next century.

In 653 Cedd was sent to preach among the Middle Angles, and soon afterwards to the East Saxons in Essex, whose king had just been baptised. Made their bishop, he built churches; his chapel at Bradwell-on-Sea, raised from the stones of a Roman fort, still stands. In the north he founded a monastery at Lastingham. To prepare the site he began a Lenten fast, eating only a little bread, an egg and some milk each evening; when the king called him away, his brother Cynibil finished it for him.

In 664 he acted as interpreter at the Synod of Whitby and accepted its decision to follow Roman customs. He died of plague at Lastingham that same year. Christians remember him as a patient missionary who helped root the faith in England.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Isaiah 52:7 · BSB

A prayer

Faithful God, you sent your servant Cedd to carry the good news to people who had not yet heard it, and to build places of prayer among them. Give us the same patience and courage, that through our words and our lives others may come to know your love in Jesus Christ. Amen.