Weekly Round-up 10/10 - 16/10
No specific articles to share with you but I thought it might be good to just produce a list of some great online resources as well as Scottish retreat centres that can be of help in building your faith.
Retreats and Retreat Centres (Scotland)
https://www.kinnoullmonastery.co.uk/ (Perth)
https://www.schoenstatt.co.uk/ (North of Glasgow)
Magazines/Journals
Apps
Pray As You Go - An app from the British Jesuit Province filled with short readings with meditations and also many online retreats. It’s free, easy to use and one of my favourites.
Universalis - The app or site has the full liturgy of the hours, mass readings, spiritual writing, all the feasts day handily split into region as well as a plethora of other prayers. A mighty app for your spiritual armoury and growth!
Hallow - Popular app with a vast array of prayers and practices likely to suit many peoples needs. There is a free plan but you can upgrade to Hallow Plus for the rest of the features.
St Kenneth/Coinneach, A.D 599.
Feast Day 11th October
St Kenneth was Irish and was a very popular Saint in Scotland. A child of poor parents, he became a Monk under St Cadoc in Wales and was known for his perfect obedience to the Saint. He was ordained in Rome and after spending some time in Ireland with the likes of St Comgall and then left for Scotland where he was supposed to have started a monastery in St Andrews. He also spent time at Iona and went with St Columba to Inverness to speak with King Brude. It was said he did the Sign of the Cross that made King Brudes hand wither. The Saint has many dedications to himself up and down the country including one in Laggan near Inverness. St Kenneth returned to Ireland and began another Monastery at Aghaboe, remaining there to his death.
St Comgan or Congan, 8th Century
Feast Day 13th October
St Comgan was of noble Irish descent, Brother of St Kentigerna and Uncle to St Fillan. He was a Prince of Leinster and ruled the province for a time. He ruled Leinster as a Christian Prince should but the neighbouring Chiefs were not so Christian and in the face of bloody conflict had to flee Ireland, taking with him St Kentigerna and St Fillan. They initially settled in Lochalsh were he was able to speak with the locals and became a ‘douloi Christi’ - servant of Christ. This Royal Prince lived out his days in great austerity and when he died was taken to Iona by St Fillan. Many Churches bear his dedication including in Lochalsh itself which was built by St Fillan. There is also a story that St Comgan moved to Turrif and built a Church and missionary activity there. Other places of dedication include in Ross and Cromarty (kilchowan in Kiltearn), St Coan in Strath, Skye, and Kilchoan in Knoydart. In Turrif a fair was held in his name - Cowan Fair. A hospital, St Congan's, was founded in Turiff by the Earl of Buchan in 1272 and was further endowed by King Robert the Bruce.
Prayer from the Aberdeen Breviary
O God, who adorned the pious shepherd Saint Comgan, your confessor and abbot, with his shining miracles: grant, we pray, that supported by his merits and protection we may be worthy to reach eternal joys. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St Fyndoca (and St Fyncana)
13th October
The Island of Inishail on Loch Awe in Argyle
Nothing is known of her life other than she was a virgin and martyr associated with two areas in Scotland - the island of Inishail on Loch Awe, the ruined Chapel of Fyndoca and Perth-shire in Findocask with a following also in nearby Dunblane. In addition it is possible St Fink just North East of Blairgowrie has a dedication to her. She is often paired with St Fyncana, who like the latter we know almost nothing about.