Saint of the Season
St. Adrian – March 4
Some say that Adrian came from a royal family in Hungary, and others believe that he was born in Ireland. What is certain is that he lived during the ninth century and that he traveled to Scotland to spread God's Word. Adrian and some companions settled in Fifeshire, and soon after, he was named Bishop of St. Andres, the leading religious center of Scotland.
After serving years as bishop, Adrian finally retired to a monastery on the nearby isle of May in the Firth of Forth. Around this time, countless Vikings and Danes descended on the coast of Scotland. Some of the Vikings and Danes settled there peacefully, but others ruthlessly plundered the coastline. Monasteries were especially targeted as sites for their devastating massacres.
In 874, a horde of barbarian Danes invaded the isle of May. When they discovered Adrian at a monastery with his followers and another bishop named Stalbrand, the barbarians cruelly slaughtered them all. It is believed that perhaps as many as 6,600 people were killed that day.
In later years, a magnificent stone monastery was built on the isle of May in honor of Adrian. It became a popular place for the people to make pilgrimages, including the Scottish King James IV.
Today, the ruins of the Chapel of St. Adrian are all that remain. However, the 4th of March continues to be celebrated in St. Adrian's honor and in memory of his dedicated companions, who gave their lives to bring Christianity to Scotland.
O God,
source of all holy desires,
right counsels and just works,
grant us that peace
which the world cannot give,
so that we may be obedient to your commands
and under your protection enjoy peace in our days
and freedom from fear of our enemies.
We ask this through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
For Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary People.