March 5

Irish.
Died: 530.

When St Kieran was 30 he went to Rome to learn about the new religion, Christianity. He became a bishop there. Upon his return to Ireland 20 years later, Kieran met St. Patrick. Saint Kieran became one of the first twelve Bishops of Ireland consecrated by St. Patrick, and is honored as the first Irish-born saint. He was held in high esteem by his peers, one of which said of Kieran: "He was a lamp, blazing with the light of wisdom." Apart from his studies, Kieran also had a great capacity for friendship with other leaders of the early Irish church. He would later mentor, befriend, and tutor many of the founders of the great Catholic Church in Ireland.

St. Kieran, pray for us!