St. Cedd

Today we commemorate St. Cedd, a missionary and bishop who spread the faith throughout England during the seventh century.

The eldest of four brothers, all of whom became priests, he was born in 620 AD into a noble Northumbrian family. At an early age, all four brothers began studies at the Lindisfarne Priory, where they became familiar with Irish monasticism. In 653, Cedd was sent by Bishop Finan of Lindisfarne to evangelize the people of Essex (St. Aidan had just died two years before, in 651). Cedd baptized many of the locals, built several churches, and founded monasteries in Bradwell-on-Sea and East Tilbury.

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