Saint Aldhelm

Also known as

Aldhelm of Sherborne
Adhelm
Aldelmus

Memorial

25 May

Profile

Son of Centa, he was a Saxon and related to the King of Wessex. Lived for a while as a hermit near Wiltshire. Monk at Malmesbury, Wiltshire, England. Spiritual student of Saint Maeldulph and Saint Adrian of Canterbury. Teacher and spiritual director.

Abbot at Malmesbury c.685. Instituted Benedictine reforms, and the house became a model for those around it. Founded monasteries at Frome and Brandford-on-Avon, and built three churches in Malmesbury, one of which survives today. During one of the church constructions, a roof beam was cut too short; Aldhelm prayed over it, and it lengthened. Around the year 700 he installed the first church organ in England.

A tireless preacher; legend says that one sermon lasted so long that his staff took root and became a tree again. Spiritual writer known internationally in his day. One of the founders of Anglo-Latin poetry. Musician skilled in the harp, fiddle and pipes, he was also known as a skilled and popular singer. Travelled to Rome to meet with Pope Saint Sergius I. Helped settle disputes on matters of theology and practice between the Celtic and Anglo-Saxon churches. Bishop of Sherborne from 705 until his death.

Born

640 in England

Died

25 May 709 at Doulting, Somerset, England of natural causes; buried at Saint Michael the Archangel church, Malmesbury, England; relics translated to a silver shrine in 857

Canonized

Pre-Congregation

Representation

bishop in a library

Additional Information

Ecole Glossary, by Karen Rae Keck
For All The Saints, by Katherine Rabenstein
Brittania Biographies
Kirken i Norge norwegian
Malmesbury Internet Ltd.
Catholic Encyclopedia, by Herbert Thurston

Print References

New Catholic Dictionary

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