St. Dunstan

Dunstan the son of Heorstan, a West Saxon noble, and his saintly wife Cynethryth, was born in the tenth century. He was educated by Irish teachers at the ruined Abbey of Glastonbury, excelling in both academics and artistic crafts. After a period at the royal court, Dunstan became a hermit. He was recalled to the court by a different king, who later made him abbot of Glastonbury; Dunstan immediately began rebuilding the Abbey and restoring the Benedictine rule for the monks living there. In 957, Dunstan was made bishop of Worchester and then bishop of London; he governed both sees at once. He reformed both dioceses, making sure that the priests lived chaste lives and taught the people academic and practical skills along with the Faith. Throughout most of his life Dunstan was involved in advising the Anglo Saxon kings and at times, his rebuke of their immoral actions put him in danger. He influenced King Eadgar to establish stable government throughout the land, bringing a period of peace. Dunstan retired from public life in 978, returning to his monastery. He died in 988, after predicting his death. His feast is May 19.