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"This saint was particularly devoted from his childhood to the love and service of God. While keeping sheep on the mountains of Northumberland, he saw one night a multitude of angels carrying up to heaven the soul of St. Aidan, bishop of Lindisfarne, which had just departed. This vision moved him to great compunction, and a strong desire of quitting the world. He soon after took the monastic habit in the monastery of Mailros. Here he applied himself continually to reading, working, watching, and praying; wholly abstaining from wine and all strong drink. After some time he was chosen prior; and afterwards prior of a larger monastery at Lindisfarne. He was a man of extraordinary patience, preserving a cheerful countenance under all adversities. He was a great lover of watching and praying, often passing nights together without sleep, employed in praying, singing psalms, and working.

Aspiring to a closer union with God, St. Cuthbert built himself a cell in the uninhabited island of Farne, intending to dedicate the remainder of his days to divine contemplation. But he was called from his solitude, and consecrated bishop of Lindisfarne. He adorned this dignity by every episcopal virtue, without changing his former method of life, being as sparing to himself as ever, whilst he was liberal to others, in feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and exercising all other duties of his station. After governing the church of Lindisfarne for two years in a most saintly manner, he resigned his bishopric, and returned to his beloved cell in the island of Farne; and after two months he was seized with his last illness, and gave up his soul, intent on the divine praises, to take her flight to heavenly joys, on the 20th of March, 687.

Pray for your country, and all the pastors of it; that being watchful in the concerns of their flocks, and their own souls, they may live to edification, and do good to all. Imitate the spirit of prayer of St. Cuthbert, whose life was a continual prayer. Whatever he saw seemed to speak to him of God, and invite him to his holy love." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother

• "So devout and zealous was he in his desire after heavenly things, that when saying Mass, he could never come to the conclusion thereof without a plentiful shedding of tears. When celebrating the mysteries of our Lord's Passion, he would, very appropriately, imitate the action that he was performing, ie. in contrition of heart he would sacrifice himself to the Lord; and he exhorted those present to "lift up their hears," and " to give thanks to the Lord," more by raising up his heart than his voice, and more by his groans then his singing."

A Prayer to Saint Cuthbert

Hail, father of thy country! Hail, man of renown! Hail, thou who often bestowest upon the miserable the comforts of health! Hail, lovely glory! Hail, great hope of thy servants! Farewell merit of our own! Do thou act, thou man of piety! To thee be praise! To thee let worthy honour, to thee let thanks be given, who frequently bestowest blessings upon me, undeserving though I be. Thou art my mighty help; often hast thou been my glory. Always dost thou cherish me with thy sweetly-flowing love. Oh from how many evils, from what enemies and dangers, my father, hast thou rescued me, and still nourishest thou me in prosperity! What worthy return can I make to thee, my father? Oh thou pious Bishop! Oh Father! Oh merciful Pastor! give me thy aid. As it pleases thee, O Father, and as thou knowest my wants, give help to thy petitioner. I pray thee to remember me, thou sweet friend of God.