Portal:Catholicism/Patron Archive/May 19

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dunstan (c.909–19 May 988) was an abbot of Glastonbury, a bishop of Worcester, a bishop of London, and an archbishop of Canterbury who was later canonized as a saint.His work restored monastic life in England and reformed the English Church. His 11th century biographer, Osbern, himself an artist and scribe, states that Dunstan was skilled in "making a picture and forming letters", as were other clergy of his age who reached senior rank.Dunstan served as an important minister of state to several English kings. He was the most popular saint in England for nearly two centuries, having gained fame for the many stories of his greatness.Adding to Dunstan's myth was his legendary cunning in dealing with the Devil.Dunstan was born in Baltonsborough.He was the son of Heorstan, a noble of Wessex. Heorstan was the brother of the bishops of Wells and of Winchester.The anonymous author of the earliest Life places Dunstan's birth during the reign of Athelstan, while Osbern fixed it at "the first year of the reign of King Æthelstan", 924 or 925. This date, however, cannot be reconciled with other known dates of Dunstan's life and creates many obvious anachronisms. Historians therefore assume that Dunstan was born circa 910 or earlier.
Attributes:man holding a pair of smith's tongs; with a dove hovering near him; with a troop of angels before him
Patronage:blacksmiths; Charlottetown, Canada; goldsmiths; locksmiths; musicians; silversmiths
Prayer: