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Barbolenus June 26
+ c 677. A monk at Luxeuil and afterwards first Abbot of St Peter's, later St Maur-des-Fossés, in the north of France.

Barbolenus Aug 31
+ c 640 Fourth Abbot of Bobbio in Italy.

Badilo Oct 8
+ c 870. A monk at Vezelay in France, he became Abbot of Leuze in Hainault in Belgium.

Badulf (Badour, Badolf) Aug 19
+ c 850. A monk and Abbot of Ainay near Lyons in France.

Bain (Bainus, Bagnus) June 20
+ c 710. A monk at Fontenelle in France, he became Bishop of Thérouanne. After twelve years he returned to Fontenelle and later became abbot. He is the main patron-saint of Calais.

Baithin (Comin, Cominus) June 9
+ c 598 By tradition a cousin of St Columba, he succeeded him as Abbot of Iona in Scotland. He reposed on the anniversary of St Columba's repose.

Balbina March 31
+ c 130. By tradition the daughter of Quirinus the martyr, she was baptised by Pope Alexander and lived as a virgin in Rome. She was buried on the Appian Way near her father. Later her relics were enshrined in the church dedicated to her on the Aventine.

Balda Dec 9
+ late 7th cent. Third Abbess of Jouarre in France. Her relics were enshrined in the church of Nesle-la-Reposte.

Baldegundis Feb 10
+ c 580. Abbess of Saint-Croix in Poitiers in France.

Balderic (Baudry) Oct 16
7th cent. He and his sister, St Bova, were children of Sigebert I, King of Austrasia in the east of France. He founded the monastery of Montfaucon and a convent in Rheims where his sister became a nun.

Baldomerus (Galmier) Feb 27
+ c 650. By trade a locksmith in Lyons in France, he entered the monastery of St Justus.

Baldred (Balther) March 6
+ 756. A priest in Lindisfarne in England, he became a hermit at Tyningham on the Scottish border, where he lived on Bass Rock, near North Berwick, surrounded by the sea. His relics were enshrined in Durham, with those of St Bilfrid.

Baldwin (Baudoin) Oct 16
+ c 680. Son of St Salaberga and brother of St Anstrude, Abbess of Laon in France. He was murdered, which led to his veneration as a martyr.

Balin (Balanus, Balloin) Sept 7
7th cent. Brother of St Gerald and one of the four sons of a noble in England. After accompanying St Colman of Lindisfarne to Iona in Scotland, he and his brothers went to Connaught in Ireland and settled at Tecksaxon, 'The House of the Saxons', near Tuam.

Bandaridus (Banderik, Bandery) Aug 9
+ 566. Bishop of Soissons in France from 540 to 566 and founder of a monastery at Crépin. He was exiled and worked as a gardener for seven years, without making himself known. At length he was discovered and recalled.

Barbatian Dec 31
5th cent. A priest from Antioch who went to Rome and there attracted the attention of the Empress, Placidia Augusta. through his wise counsel. She encouraged him to live in Ravenna in Italy near the imperial court, where a monastery was built.

Barbatus (Barbas) Feb 19
c 612-682. Born in Benevento in Italy, he rendered great service to his native town as a priest and then as bishop, especially when it was under siege. He took part in the Sixth Oecumenical Council in Constantinople at which Monothelitism was condemned.

Bardo June 10
982-1053. Born in Oppershofen in Germany, he became a monk at Fulda. In 1029 he became Abbot of Werden on the Ruhr and in 1031 Abbot of Hersfeld and also Archbishop of Mainz. He was noted for his ascetic life, his love for the poor and for animals.

Barontius and Desiderius March 25
c 725. Barontius became a monk at Lonrey near Bourges in France. As a result of a vision he became a hermit, set out for Italy, and settled near Pistoia. There he lived very ascetically with another monk, called Desiderius, who is also honoured as a saint.

Barr (Finbar, Barrocus) Sept 25
6th cent. Born in Connaught in Ireland, he became the first Bishop of Cork.

Barrfoin (Bairrfhionn, Barrindus) May 21
6th cent. By tradition he was in charge of the church founded by St Columba in Drum Cullen in Offaly in Ireland and later he lived in Killbarron near Ballyshannon in Donegal. It is said that he reached America on one of his missions by sea and informed St Brendan the Navigator of his discovery. He is also said to have been a bishop.

Barrog (Barrwg, Barnoch, Barry) Sept 27
7th cent. A disciple of St Cadoc of Wales, he left his name to Barry Island off the coast of Glamorgan, where he lived as a hermit.

Barsenorius Sept 13
7th cent. Successor of St Leutfrid (Leufroy) as Abbot of La-Croix-Saint-Leuffroi in France. His relics are in Fécamp.

Bartholomew of Rossano Nov 11
+ 1065. A Greek, he was born in Rossano in Calabria in Italy. He followed St Nilus to the foundation of Grottaferrata in Frascati near Rome and St Bartholomew is considered as its second founder. He persuaded Pope Benedict IX (+1055) to repent for his sins.

Barypsabas Sept 10
1st cent. A hermit from the East, he was martyred in Dalmatia. A tradition relates that Barypsabas took to Rome a vessel containing some of the precious blood which flowed from the side of our Lord when He was on the cross.

Basil Jan 1
c 475. A priest from Arles who became second Bishop of Aix en Provence in France.

Basil March 6
+ 335. Bishop of Bologna in Italy for twenty years, 315-335.
Basilides, Tripos, Mandal and Companions June 10
270-275. A group of twenty-three Orthodox martyred in Rome on the Aurelian Way under Aurelian.

Basilissa Dec 5
+ c 780. Abbess of Oehren near Trier in Germany.

Basilla May 20
+ 304. Having been baptised, she refused to marry a pagan patrician and so was martyred for Christ in Rome.

Basinus March 4
+ c 705. Monk and Abbot of St Maximin in Trier in Germany, he succeeded St Numerian as bishop of the city.

Basolus (Basle) Nov 26
c 555-620 Born in Limoges in France, he became a monk at Verzy near Rheims, and then a hermit, living for forty years on a hill near the city. He was celebrated as a wonderworker.

Bassa, Paula and Agathonica Aug 10
? Three holy virgins martyred in Carthage in North Africa.

Bassian Jan 19
+ 413. Born in Sicily, he became Bishop of Lodi in Lombardy in Italy. He was much esteemed by St Ambrose of Milan, with whom he attended the Council of Aquilia (381) and at whose repose he was present (390).

Bassus Dec 5
+ c 250. Bishop of Nice in France. He was martyred under Decius, his body transfixed with two huge nails.

Bathildis Jan 30
+ 680. Born in England, she was sold as a slave to the mayor of the palace of the Kingdom of Neustria. In 649 King Clovis II married her and she became the mother of three future kings. After her husband's death, she was regent of France (656-664). When Clotaire III came of age, she became a nun at the convent of Chelles which she had founded.

Baudacarius Dec 21
+ 650. A monk at Bobbio in the north of Italy.

Baudelius May 20
2nd (or 3rd) cent. Born in Orleans in France, he was married and worked zealously for Orthodoxy. He was martyred in Nîmes. Veneration for him spread throughout France and the north of Spain and some four hundred churches were dedicated to him.

Bavo Oct 1
c 589-654. Born in Brabant in Belgium, in his early years he lived badly. Left a widower, he was converted by St Amandus and founded the monastery of St Peter in Ghent (later called St Bavo's) and became a monk there. Finally he lived as a hermit.

Baya and Maura Nov 2
? 10th cent. Anchoresses in Scotland, St Bava guided St Maura and the latter became abbess of a convent.

Bean Oct 26
+ c 1012. Bishop of Mortlach in Banff in Scotland, he later preached in Aberdeen.

Beatus Feb 19
+ 789. Born in Asturias in Spain, he became a monk at Liebana and was famous for his firm stand against Adoptionism. When Adoptionism was condemned, the saint went to the monastery of Valcavado and wrote his famous Commentary on the Apocalypse.

Beatus May 9
? An early hermit, venerated as the Apostle of Switzerland. His hermitage was at the place now called Beatenberg above the Lake of Thun.

Becan (Began) Apr 5
6th cent. One of the 'Twelve Apostles of Ireland'. He was related to St Columba and founded a monastery in Kill-Beggan in Westmeath. He also gave his name to the church and parish of Imleach-Becain in Meath.

Becan May 26
6th cent. A hermit near Cork in Ireland in the time of St Columba.

Bede the Younger Apr 10
+ 883. A court official, he became a monk at the monastery of Gavello near Rovigo in the north of Italy. He refused to become a bishop.

Bede the Venerable May 25
673-735. Born in Wearmouth in the north of England, as a child he entered the monastery of Sts Peter and Paul at Wearmouth-Jarrow, and spent his whole life there, 'always praying, always writing, always reading, always teaching'. He wrote many commentaries on the Scriptures. His work The History of the English Church and People earned him the title of the Father of English History. He reposed on Ascension Eve and his dying words were Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Bega (Begh, Bee) Sept 6
7th cent. A holy virgin from Ireland who founded a convent at what is now St Bee's Head in Cumberland. The village of Kilbees in Scotland was also named after her.

Begga Dec 17
+ 698. Daughter of St Pepin of Landen and St Ida and sister of two other saints. She married Angisilus (Ansegis), son of St Arnulf of Metz. After her husband's death St Begga founded a convent in Andenne on the Meuse in Belgium where she was abbess.

Begu Oct 31
+ 660. A nun at Hackness in Yorkshire in England.

Benedict Biscop Jan 12
c 628-c 690 Born in Northumbria, Biscop Baducing made two pilgrimages to Rome early in life and after the second became a monk at Lérins. After a third journey to Rome, bringing back books and icons, he returned to England and founded the monastery of Wearmouth and Jarrow (674-682). He visited Rome twice more after that.

Benedict of Aniane Feb 11
c 750-821. A Visigoth, by name Witiza, he was born in Languedoc in France. In 773 he became a monk at Saint-Seine near Dijon and in 779 founded a monastery in Languedoc by a stream called Aniane. The Emperor asked him to oversee monasteries in Languedoc, Provence and Gascony and eventually all those in French and Germany.

Benedict Revelli Feb 12
c 900. A monk at Santa Maria dei Fonti in Italy and then a hermit on the island of Gallinaria in the Gulf of Genoa. In 870 he became Bishop of Albenga.

Benedict Crispus of Milan March 11
+ 725. Archbishop of Milan in Italy for forty-five years.

Benedict of Campania March 23
+ c 550. A hermit in the Campagna in Italy who was miraculously delivered from death by burning at the hands of Totila the Goth.

Benedict of Szkalka May 1
+ 1012. A hermit on Mount Zobor in Hungary. He was a disciple of St Andrew Zorard. Renowned for his asceticism, he was murdered by robbers in 1012.

Benedict II May 8
+ 685. Born in Rome, he became Pope of Rome in 683.

Benedict July 11 (In the East March 14)
c 480-550. Born near Nursia in Umbria in central Italy, at the age of twenty he went to live as a hermit in a cave near Subiaco. Many disciples flocked to him and he built a laura, composed of twelve small monasteries for them. About the year 530 he left Subiaco for Montecassino, where he founded a monastery and where he lived the rest of his life as a deacon and famed as a wonderworker. He reposed while standing in prayer before the altar. Some relics of St Benedict were later translated to France but others remained at Montecassino.

Benedict July 15
+ c 820. Bishop of Angers in the west of France.

Benedict of Macerae Oct 22
+ 845. A Greek abbot who fled from Petras and settled in Macerac near Nantes in France.

Benedict of Sebaste Oct 23
+ c 654. Bishop of Sebaste in Samaria, he escaped to Gaul during the persecution of Julian the Apostate. He built a hermitage near Poitiers in France which later became the monastery of St Benedict of Quincay.

Benedict, John, Matthew, Isaac and Christinus (Christian) Nov 12
+ 1005. Monks from Italy who followed St Adalbert of Prague and were murdered by thieves at their monastery near Gnesen in Poland.

Benedicta May 6
6th cent. A nun of the convent founded in Rome by St Galla, whose repose was foretold to her by the Apostle Peter in a vision.

Benedicta June 29
? Sister of Sts Augustine and Sanctian, all three were born in Spain but went to France and were martyred in Sens under Aurelian.

Benedicta and Cecilia Aug 17
10th cent. These two daughters of the King of Lorraine became nuns and successively Abbesses of Susteren in the Rhineland in Germany.

Benedicta Oct 8
? A virgin-martyr in Laon in France.

Benignus Feb 13
+ c 303. A priest in Todi in Umbria in Italy martyred under Diocletian.

Benignus March 20
+ 725. A monk and Abbot of Fontenelle in France, he was exiled and went to Flay where the monks asked him to be their abbot. He later returned to Fontenelle.

Benignus June 28
6th cent. Bishop of Utrecht in Holland. His relics were uncovered there in 996.

Benignus Nov 1
2nd cent. A martyr venerated in Dijon in France from early times, over whose tomb the Cathedral of St Benignus was built.

Benignus (Benen) Nov 9
+ c 466. 'Benen, son of Sessenen, St Patrick's Psalmsinger'. A favourite disciple of St Patrick, whom he succeeded as the main bishop in Ireland. He preached mainly in Clare and Kerry and founded a monastery in Drumlease.

Benignus Nov 20
+ c 477. Archbishop of Milan in Italy.

Benildis June 15
+ 853. A woman of Cordoba in Spain who was so moved by the courage of the priest Athanasius during his martyrdom at the hands of the Moors, that she braved death at the stake on the following day. Her ashes were thrown into the Guadalquivir.

Benno Aug 3
+ 940. Born in Swabia in Germany, he became a hermit on Mt Etzel in Switzerland, St Meinrad's former hermitage. He lived there with a few disciples, so founding the monastery of Einsiedeln. In 927 he became Bishop of Metz in France. Striving to overcome abuses, he was attacked and blinded by enemies of Christ. He resigned and returned to Einsiedeln.

Beoadh (Beatus) March 8
+ c 518. Bishop of Ardcarne in Roscommon in Ireland.

Beoc (Beanus, Dabeoc, Mobeoc) Dec 16
5th (or 6th) cent. Founder of a monastery on an island in Lough Derg in Donegal in Ireland.

Beocca, Ethor and Companions Apr 10
+ 869. In their onslaught on England, the Danes attacked monasteries in particular. They martyred Sts Beocca, Abbot, Ethor, monk-priest and some ninety monks at Chertsey in Surrey; at Peterborough they martyred St Hedda, Abbot, and others at his monastery; at Thorney, St Torthred and others.

Berach (Barachias, Berachius) Feb 15
6th cent. From his birth he was cared for by his uncle St Freoch. Afterwards he became a disciple of St Kevin and founded a monastery at Clusin-Coirpte in Connaught. He is the patron-saint of Kilbarry near Dublin in Ireland.

Berarius Oct 17
+ c 680. Bishop of Le Mans in France.

Bercharius Oct 16
+ 696. A monk at Luxeuil and first Abbot of Hautvilliers. St Bercharius founded two monasteries, Moutier-en-Der for monks, and Puellemoutier for nuns. He was fatally stabbed by an evildoer and died forgiving his murderer. He was venerated as a martyr.

Bercthun (Bertin) May 15
+ 733. A disciple of St John of Beverley and first Abbot of Beverley in England.

Beregisus Oct 2
+ c 725. A priest who founded the monastery of Saint Hubert in the Ardennes in France.

Berlinda (Berlindis, Bellaude) Feb 3
+ 702. A niece of St Amandus, she became a nun at Moorsel near Alost in Belgium and later an anchoress in Meerbeke.

Bernard of Arce Oct 14
9th cent. Perhaps born in England, he went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Rome but stayed there to live as a hermit in Arpino in Italy. His relics are enshrined in Rocca d'Arce.

Bernard of Bagnorea (of Castro) Oct 20
+ c 800. Born in Bagnorea, he became Bishop of Vulcia in Tuscany in Italy.

Berno Jan 13
+ 927. Born in Burgundy in France, he became a monk at St Martin in Autun. He restored Baume-les-Messieurs and founded monasteries at Gigny, Bourg-Dieu, Massay and Cluny (910), where he was abbot until 926.

Bernold Nov 25
+ c 1050. A monk-priest of Ottobeuren in Bavaria in Germany, renowned as a wonderworker.

Bernwald (Beornwald) Dec 21
8c? A righteous priest in Bampton in Oxfordshire in England.

Bernward (Berward) Nov 20
+ 1022. Bishop of Hildesheim in Germany from 993, he excelled as an architect, painter, sculptor, decorator and metalsmith. He was also a tutor of the half-Greek Emperor Otto III.

Bertha May 1
+ c 680. Foundress of Avenay in France, she is honoured as a martyr.

Bertha July 4
+ c 725. A lady of high station, after her husband's death she became a nun at the convent of Blangy in Artois in France, which she had founded and where she became abbess.

Berthaldus (Bertaud) June 16
+ c 540. A hermit in the Ardennes in France, he was ordained priest by St Remigius.

Berthanc (Berchan) Apr 6
+ c 840. A monk at Iona in Scotland and later Bishop of Kirkwall in the Orkneys. He seems to have died in Ireland and been buried at Inishmore in Galway Bay.

Bertharius Oct 22
+ c 884. Of the royal house of France, he became a monk at Montecassino in Italy and became abbot in 856. While kneeling in prayer he was martyred together with several of his monks by invading Saracens.

Berthoald Oct 13
7th cent. Fifth bishop of Cambrai Arras in France.

Bertilia Jan 3
+ c 687. A noble virgin who took a vow of continence with her husband. On his death she lived as an anchoress near a church she had founded at Maroeuil (Marolles) in Flanders in Belgium.

Bertilla Nov 5
+ c 705. A nun at Jouarre near Meaux in France, she became Abbess of Chelles and the convent flourished under her for fifty years.

Bertilo March 26
+ c 878- 888. Abbot of St Benignus in Dijon in France. The Vikings sacked the monastery and martyred him and several of his monks at the altar.

Bertin the Younger May 2
+ c 699. A monk at Sithin in France.

Bertin Sept 5
+ c 709. Born near Constance, he became a monk at Luxeuil in France. He helped St Omer, Bishop of Thérouanne and became Abbot of Sithin (afterwards called St Bertin). The monastery prospered under him and he founded many new monasteries.

Bertoara Dec 4
+ 614. Abbess of Notre-Dame-de-Sales in Bourges in France.

Bertrand (Bertram, Bertran, Ebertram) Jan 24
7th cent. A disciple of St Bertinus, he also helped St Omer enlighten the north of France and Flanders. He later became Abbot of Saint-Quentin.

Bertrand June 30
+ 623. Born in Autun in France, he met St Germanus in Paris and later became Bishop of Le Mans. He took a great interest in agriculture and wine-growing and loved the poor.

Bertuin Nov 11
+ c 698. Born in England, he became a monk at Othelle. He became a bishop and founded the monastery of Malonne near Namur in Belgium.

Bertulf Feb 5
+ 705. Born in Pannonia, he moved to Flanders in Belgium where he became Orthodox and a priest and founded a monastery.

Bertulf Aug 19
+ 640. He became a monk at Luxeuil in France, then went to Bobbio in Italy where he became abbot on the repose of St Attalas.

Betharius Aug 2
+ c 623. Bishop of Chartres in France from 595. He was present at the Council of Sens.

Bettelin (Bertram) Aug 10
8th cent.? Patron of Stafford in England, the base of his shrine still exists at Ilam.

Bettelin (Bertram) Sept 9
8th cent. Disciple of St Guthlac of Crowland in England. He lived there with companions under the first abbot, Kenulf.

Betto Feb 24
+ 918. A monk at Sainte Colombe in Sens in France. He became Bishop of Auxerre in 889.

Beuno Apr 21
+ c 640. Born in Wales, he founded monasteries at Llanfeuno in Herefordshire and Llanymynech. His name is chiefly connected with Clynnog Fawr in Gwynedd.

Bibiana (Vibiana, Vivian) Dec 2
? A holy virgin martyred in Rome.

Bieuzy Nov 24
7th cent. Born in Britain, he followed St Gildas to Brittany and was martyred there.

Bilfrid (Billfrith) March 6
8th cent. A hermit at Lindisfarne and an expert goldsmith, who bound in gold the Lindisfarne Gospels, written and illuminated by Bishop Edfrith.

Bilhild Nov 27
c 630-c 710. Born near Würzburg in Germany, she married the Duke of Thuringia. After her husband's death she founded the convent of Altenmünster in Mainz.

Birillus March 21
+ c 90. By tradition he was consecrated first Bishop of Catania in Sicily by the Apostle Peter, with whom he had travelled from Antioch. He reposed in extreme old age.

Birinus Dec 3
+ c 650. Born in Lombardy in Italy, he was consecrated Bishop in Genoa and sent to England. Here he converted Cynegils, King of Wessex, and was given Dorchester in Oxfordshire as his see. He is known as the 'Apostle of Wessex'.

Birnstan (Beornstan) Nov 4
+ c 934. Successor of St Frithestan as Bishop of Winchester in England. He loved to pray for the departed.

Bitheus and Genocus Apr 18
6th cent. Two monks from Britain who accompanied St Finian of Clonard to Ireland and gained a reputation for holiness.

Bladus July 3
? By tradition, he was one of the early bishops of the Isle of Man.

Blaesilla Jan 22
+ 383. A daughter of St Paula, married and widowed very young she consecrated herself to God, but died in Rome aged twenty.

Blaise and Demetrius Nov 29
? Martyrs in Veroli in central Italy.

Blaithmaic (Blathmac, Blaithmale) Jan 15
+ c 823. An abbot from Ireland who went to Scotland and was martyred by the Danes on the altar steps of the church of Iona.

Blane (Blaan, Blain) Aug 10
6th cent. A disciple of Sts Comgall and Canice in Ireland, he was a bishop in Scotland and was buried at Dunblane which was named after him.

Blath (Flora) Jan 29
+ 523. A cook at St Brigid's convent in Kildare where she was honoured as a holy woman.

Blidulf (Bladulf) Jan 2
+ c 630. A monk at Bobbio in Italy who bravely denounced the heresy of the Lombard King Ariovald.

Blinlivet (Blevileguetus) Nov 7
9th cent. The twenty-fifth Bishop of Vannes in Brittany.

Blitharius (Blier) June 11
7th cent. Born in Scotland, he went to France and settled in Seganne in Champagne.

Blitmund Jan 3
+ 660 ? A monk at Bobbio in Italy. He followed St Walaricus (St Valéry) to France, where they founded the monastery of Leucone, later called Saint-Valéry. St Blitmund was the second abbot.

Boadin Jan 11
? Born in Ireland, he lived as a monk in France.

Bobinus Jan 31
+ c 766. Born in Aquitaine in France, he was a monk at Moutier-la-Celle. Later he became Bishop of Troyes (760).

Bobo (Beuvon) May 22
+ c 985. A warrior who fought bravely against invading Saracens and then lived as a hermit in repentance. He reposed at Pavia in Italy while on pilgrimage to Rome.

Bodagisil Dec 18
+ 588. He founded and was the first abbot of a monastery on the Meuse in Belgium

Bodfan (Bobouan) June 2
7th cent. The patron saint of Abern in Gwynedd in Wales. He became a monk together with his father and other relations.

Bodo Sept 11
+ c 670. Born in Toul in France, he was the brother of St Salaberga. He married but, by mutual consent, he and his wife entered monasteries. He became a monk in Laon but was forced to leave to become Bishop of Toul. He founded monasteries at Etival, Bon-Moutier and Affonville.

Boetharius Aug 2
7th cent. Bishop of Chartres in France (c 595).

Boethian May 22
7th cent. Born in Ireland and a disciple of St Fursey, he built the monastery of Pierrepont near Laon in France and was eventually murdered by evildoers.

Bolcan (Olcan) Feb 20
+ c 480. Baptised by St Patrick, Bolcan later became Bishop of Derkan in Ireland.

Bolonia Oct 16
+ 362. A holy virgin aged fifteen and martyred under Julian the Apostate. She left her name to the village of Saint Boulogne in Maine in France.

Bond (Baldus) Oct 29
7th cent. Born in Spain, he became a hermit in Sens in France.

Boniface Curitan March 14
+ c 660. Bishop of Ross, very likely a Roman by birth, he enlightened the Picts and Scots. He is said to have founded a great many churches.

Boniface IV May 8
+ 615. Born in Valeria in the Abruzzi in Italy, he became a monk at St Sebastian in Rome. He became Pope of Rome from 608 to 615.

Boniface of Tarsus May 14
+ c 307. A martyr beheaded in Tarsus in Cilicia, where he had gone from Rome to recover the bodies of certain martyrs. His own relics are enshrined in the church of Sts Alexis and Boniface on the Aventine.

Boniface May 14
6th cent. Bishop of Ferentino in Tuscany at the time of the Emperor Justin. He is called on by those who are troubled by alcoholism.

Boniface June 5
c 675-754. Born in Crediton in Devon in England, his baptismal name was Winfrid. At the age of five he entered the monastery in Exeter. In 718 he left England for Germany as a missionary and enlightened Bavaria, Hesse, Friesland, Thuringia and Franconia. In 723 Pope Gregory II consecrated him bishop with full jurisdiction over the Germanies. In 731 he became Metropolitan beyond the Rhine and in 747 Archbishop of Mainz. He established many monasteries and convents, including Fulda, where his relics are still venerated. He put these monasteries under the charge of English monks and nuns. He was also responsible for reorganising the corrupt Frankish Church. He was martyred in his old age, with fifty-two companions, ain Dokkum in Holland. He is known as the Apostle of Germany.

Boniface and Thecla Aug 30
+ c 250. Parents of the Twelve Brothers commemorated on Sept 1. They were martyred under Maximian in Hadrumetum, now Soussa in Tunisia in North Africa.

Boniface I Sept 4
+ 422. A priest who was elected Pope of Rome in 418.

Boniface Oct 5
c 287 One of the martyrs with St Palmatius and Companions in Trier in Germany.

Bonitus (Bont) Jan 15
623-c 710. Born in Auvergne in France, he became Bishop of Clermont. After ten years as bishop he resigned and lived as a monk, reposing in extreme old age.

Bonitus July 7
+ c 582. Fourth Abbot of Montecassino. At this time the Lombards plundered and destroyed the monastery.

Bononius Aug 30
+ 1026. Born in Bologna in Italy, he became a monk at St Stephen's. Later he became Abbot of Lucedio in Piedmont.
Bonus, Faustus, Maurus and Companions Aug 1
+ ? Bonus, a priest, with Faustus, Maurus and nine companions, was martyred in Rome under Valerian.

Bosa March 9
+ 705. A monk at Whitby in England, he was consecrated Bishop of York by St Theodore. St Bede praises St Bosa in the following words: 'A man beloved of God...of most unusual merit and holiness'.

Boswell (Boisil) Feb 23
+ c 661. Abbot of Melrose in Scotland. Sts Cuthbert and Egbert were among his monks. Both admired him greatly, as did St Bede. His favourite reading was the Gospel of St John.

Botulf and Adulf (Botolph and Adolph) June 17
7th cent. Brothers and monks in England. Though little is known of Adulf, Botulf founded a monastery at Iken in Suffolk and was famed for his piety. Over seventy churches were dedicated to St Botulf, including four at the gates of the City of London.

Bova and Doda Apr 24
7th cent. St Bova was a sister and St Doda a niece of St Balderic (Baudry), who founded Montfaucon and the convent of St Peter in Rheims in France. Bova was the first abbess and was succeeded by Doda.

Bradan and Orora (Crora) Oct 20
? Two saints venerated in the Isle of Man.

Brandan Jan 11
5th cent. Born in Ireland, he took refuge from Pelagianism in Britain and then in France, at a monastery where he became abbot.

Brannoc Jan 7
? Born in Wales, he crossed to Devon in England and founded a monastery in Braunton.

Branwallader Jan 19
? 6th cent. A bishop in Jersey in the Channel Islands. King Athelstan, who founded the monastery of Milton in Dorset in England translated relics of the saint there in 935.

Braulio March 26
+ 646. A monk at the monastery of St Engratia in Saragossa in Spain, he was ordained priest by his own brother, John, whom he succeeded as Archbishop of Saragossa.

Breaca June 4
5th-6th cent. A disciple of St Brigid who crossed from Ireland to Cornwall (c 460) with several companions.

Bregwin Aug 24
+ 764. Twelfth Archbishop of Canterbury. His letters to St Lull of Mainz still exist.

Brendan the Voyager May 16
c 486-c 575 or c 583. One of the three most famous ascetics of Ireland. He was born in Kerry, becoming a disciple of St Finian at Clonard and of St Gildas at Llancarfan in Wales. He was a great founder of monasteries, especially of Clonfert. He is best known in history for his voyages and may have reached North America. St Brendan is venerated as the patron- saint of sailors.

Brendan of Birr Nov 29
+ c 573. A contemporary of St Brendan the Voyager and a disciple of St Finian at Clonard. His monastery of Birr was in Offaly in Ireland. He was a friend and advisor of St Columba, who saw the soul of St Brendan carried by angels to heaven at the moment of his repose.

Briarch Dec 17
+ c 627. Born in Ireland, he became a monk in Wales with St Tudwal, whom he accompanied to Brittany. He built a monastery in Guingamp and reposed in Bourbiac.

Briavel June 17
6th cent. A hermit at St Briavels, now in Gloucestershire in England.

Brice (Britius, Brixius) Nov 13
+ 444. A disciple of St Martin of Tours in France, in fact he was proud and ambitious. Chosen to be St Martin's successor at Tours, he was eventually driven out. He repented and was reinstated. Such was the change in him that his flock proclaimed him a saint immediately after his death.

Brictius July 9
+ c 312. Bishop of Martola near Spoleto in Umbria in Italy, imprisoned for Orthodoxy under Diocletian. He escaped death and died a confessor under Constantine.

Brieuc (Briocus, Brioc) May 1
c 420-510. Born in Dyfed in Wales, he went to Brittany where he founded two monasteries, one near Tréguier and the other in what is now St Brieuc. He is also venerated in Cornwall.

Brigid (Briga) Jan 21
6th cent. Known as St Brigid of Kilbride, she is venerated around Lismore in Ireland.

Brigid and Maura Jan 28
? Born in Scotland, they were martyred in Picardy in France while on pilgrimage to Rome.

Brigid (Bridget, Bride) Feb 1
c 450-c 525. Born in Faughart near Dundalk, she became a nun when still young and founded a convent in Kildare, the first in Ireland. Her life is associated with mercy and pity for the poor. A greatly venerated saint, she is the second patron-saint of Ireland after St Patrick.

Brigid Feb 1
9th cent. Sister of St Andrew, Abbot of St Donatus in Fiesole in Tuscany in Italy. She was carried to her brother's deathbed by angels and reposed as an anchoress in the Apennines.

Brithwald (Brihtwald) Jan 9
+ 731. He became a monk and the Abbot of Reculver in Kent in England. In 693 he became the ninth Archbishop of Canterbury.

Brithwald Jan 22
+ 1045. A monk at Glastonbury, he became Bishop of Ramsbury in 1005. He was a great benefactor of Malmesbury and Glastonbury, where he was buried.

Brito (Britonius) May 5
+ 386. Bishop of Trier in Germany. A firm opponent of the Priscillianists, he also refused to hand them over for punishment by the State.

Bron June 8
+ c 511. A disciple of St Patrick and Bishop of Cassel-Irra near Sligo in Ireland.

Bronach (Bromana) Apr 2
? Called the Virgin of Glen-Seichis, now Kilbronach in Ireland.

Brothen and Gwendolen Oct 18
? 6th cent. St Brothen is the patron-saint of Llanbrothen in Wales. Dolwyddelen and Llanwyddelan are named after St Gwendolen.

Bruno May 27
+ 1045. Bishop of Würzburg in Germany, he encouraged church-building and spent his private fortune on this.

Bruno-Boniface June 19 and Oct 15
+ 1009. Born in Querfurt in Germany, he accompanied the half-Greek Emperor Otto III to Italy in 996 and became a monk there. He became Archbishop of Mersburg and was sent to enlighten the heathen Prussians. He was martyred with eighteen companions.

Bruno Oct 11
c 925-965. Sometimes called 'the Great', in 953 he became Bishop of Cologne in Germany.

Bruno Dec 24
+ c 1050. A holy man at the monastery of Ottobeuren in Bavaria in Germany.

Brychan Apr 6
? A King in Wales with twenty-four saintly children.

Brynach (Bemach, Bemacus) Apr 7
? 5th cent. He built a cell and church at a place called Carn-Englyi (Mountain of the Angels), overhanging Nefyn in Gwynedd in Wales.

Budoc (Budeaux) Dec 9
? 7th cent. Born in Brittany, he became Abbot of Youghal in Ireland. Returning to Brittany, he succeeded Sts Samson and Maglorius as Bishop of Dol. Several places in Devon and Cornwall in England are named after him.

Buithe (Buite, Boethius) Dec 7
+ 521. After some years in Italy and elsewhere, he returned to Scotland and helped enlighten the Picts. Carbuddo is named after him.

Burchard Aug 20
+ 1026. Born in Hesse in Germany, he became a monk at Lobbes in Belgium. In 1006 he was forced to become Bishop of Worms where he was a canonist.

Burchard Oct 14
+ c 754. Born in England, he went to Germany with St Boniface (c 732). He became Bishop of Würzburg and founded several monasteries, of which the most important was St Andrew's, later named after him.

Burgundofara (or Fara) Apr 3 and Dec 7
+ 657. Blessed by St Columbanus as a child, she became a nun despite her father's opposition, and so began the convent of Brige in France. This was later called Faremoutiers, i.e. Fara's Monastery, where she was abbess for thirty-seven years.

Buriana June 4
6th cent. Born in Ireland, she lived as an anchoress in Cornwall. St Buryan is named after her.

Byblig (Biblig, Peblig, Piblig, Publicius) July 3
? 5th cent. A holy man connected with Carnarvon and honoured in several parts of Wales.