Saint Finbarr

St. Finbarr was from Connaught, Ireland, and he received his education in Kilmacahil, Kilkenny. After completing his education, he returned to his homeland and decided to live as a hermit on an island within a small lake, originally known as Loch Irce and now called Gougane Barra. He dedicated his life to solitary communion with God, and his exceptional holiness was widely recognized. St. Finbarr dedicated himself to constructing small churches in various locations throughout his lifetime. Eventually, he settled in the city of Cork for the final seventeen years of his life. During this period, he gathered a community of monks and students around him. He established a monastery that later evolved into the modern city of Cork, a place that did not exist prior to his efforts. He was subsequently appointed as the first Bishop of Cork. His southern Irish Monastery gained such renown that it drew visitors from the surrounding regions. St. Finbarr embarked on a pilgrimage to Rome with some of his monks, and upon returning to Ireland, tradition has it that he also visited St. David in Wales. St. Finbarr's passing occurred at Cell na Cluaine while he was returning from a visit to Gougane Barra. His final resting place was the cemetery adjoining his Church in Cork. Numerous miracles have been attributed to him, with one particularly notable account mentioning that, following his demise, the sun did not set for two weeks in his town.

St. Finbarr, pray for us to depend on the heavenly wisdom that guides us to the eternal light of Christ.

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Most High Servant,

Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love 

(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)