Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Bede the Venerable, The Patron Saint of Scholars.

Bede received care from the abbot of the Monastery of St. Paul, Jarrow, at a young age. The fortunate union of brilliance and the academic, holy monks’ instruction resulted in the creation of a saint and an incredible scholar, maybe the most remarkable of his day. He was well-versed in all the disciplines of the day, including natural philosophy, Aristotelian philosophy, astronomy, mathematics, grammar, ecclesiastical history, saints’ biographies, and especially, the holy Scripture.

Bede was constantly engaged in reading, writing, and teaching from his 30th-year ordination to the priesthood (he had already been consecrated a deacon at 19) until his death. He wrote 45 of his works, including 30 commentaries on Bible texts, alongside the other volumes he copied.

His work entitled The Ecclesiastical History of the English People has fundamental significance for the art and science of history writing. At the time of Bede’s passing, a unique age was about to end: It had accomplished its goal of enabling Western Christianity to absorb the non-Roman barbarian North. Bede saw that a new day was dawning for the Church while it was taking place.

Bede was greatly sought after by kings and other prominent people, including Pope Sergius, yet he stayed in his monastery until he passed away. Only once did he take a short break to work as a teacher in the York archbishop’s school. Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit was Bede’s favorite prayer before he passed away in 735. It is always the same as it was in the beginning.

Source: franciscanmedia.org