This bishop, the founder of Ferns diocese in County Wexford, is variously named Edan or Aedan, or M’Aed oc (Mogue). The diocese has, from early years, had a close link with the Church in Wales and there was a traditional, though not chronological, spiritual relationship between David of Wales and Mogue of Ferns. He died on this day in the year 632.
Collect
God,
in the persons of your bishops Edan and David
you linked the young churches of Wales and Ireland:
help us to rejoice in the spiritual relationships
we enjoy in the fellowship of your church;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
31 January
Charles Mackenzie of Central Africa
Bishop, Missionary
Scotland: Commemoration
If celebrated otherwise, Common of Missionaries
The Universities’ Mission to Central Africa was formed in response to an appeal by David Livingstone. Charles Mackenzie was consecrated bishop in Cape Town in 1861 to lead this mission from South Africa up the Zambesi towards Lake Nyasa. The missionaries’ preaching of the gospel and their efforts to secure the release of slaves provoked opposition from native leaders and Portuguese colonists. Charles succumbed to illness and died only a year after his consecration, a man of transparent and humble Christian devotion.
31 January
John Bosco
Priest, Founder of the Salesian Teaching Order
England: Commemoration
If celebrated otherwise, Common of Pastors
Born in 1815 to a peasant family, John Bosco spent most of his life in the area of Turin in Italy. He had a particular call to help young men and pioneered new educational methods, for example, in rejecting corporal punishment. His work with homeless youths received the admiration even of anticlerical politicians and his promotion of vocational training, including evening classes and industrial schools, became a pattern for others to follow. To extend the work, he founded in 1859 a religious community, the Pious Society of St Francis de Sales, usually known as the Salesians. It grew rapidly and was well-established in several countries by the time of his death on this day in 1888.
February
1 February
Brigid
White
Abbess of Kildare
England, Scotland: Commemoration – Ireland: Festival – Wales: V
Brigid (also known as Bride) was a contemporary of Patrick who founded a religious community at Kildare. Little else is known about her for sure. Her spirituality strongly influenced the formation of the Church throughout Ireland, immediately after Patrick’s time. The Church developed through communities of monks and nuns, and her pre-eminence led to her being regarded as a second patron saint. There are no contemporary writings about Brigid, and the stories about her include pagan elements, for there was a Celtic pagan mother-goddess who had a similar name. But we can be sure that Brigid was a remarkable person and through the grace of God gave unique leadership in her own troubled times. The list of the saints of the Celtic church in Ireland is so male-dominated that the revered place given to Brigid of Kildare is itself a testimony to her leadership and holiness.
Collect (Ireland)
Father,
by the leadership of your blessed servant Brigid
you strengthened the Church in Ireland:
as we give you thanks for her life of devoted service,
inspire us with new life and light,
and give us perseverance to serve you all our days;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Or (Wales)
Almighty God,
who enkindled in the heart of Bridget
the living flame of your love:
stir the cold embers of our hearts
and lead us to the well-springs of eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit
be all honour and glory
now and for ever.
A reading from the prophecy of Hosea.
‘Come, let us return to the Lord;
for it is he who has torn, and he will heal us;
he has struck down, and he will bind us up.
After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will raise us up,
that we may live before him.
Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord;
his appearing is as sure as the dawn;
he will come to us like the showers,
like the spring rains that water the earth.’
What shall I do with you, O Ephraim?
What shall I do with you, O Judah?
Your love is like a morning cloud,
like the dew that goes away early.
This is the word of the Lord.
Hosea 6.1–4
Responsorial Psalm
R: Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,
[you that by night stand in the house of the Lord].
Lift up your hands towards the sanctuary
and bless the Lord.
The Lord who made heaven and earth
give you blessing out of Zion.
