Saint of the Day
Summary: St Dunstan: born at Baltonsborough and joined the household of his uncle Athelm, Archbishop of Canterbury(923-926 AD). Later he himself succeeded to the same Archdiocese. For twenty nine years he was known for his prayerful life, generosity and work for peace.
From Dunstan’s initial stay with his uncle, he was called to the court of King Athelstan from where, in 935 AD, he was expelled on the charge of studying pagan stories and of being a magician. He then went on to take his monastic vows privately and was ordained by Bishop Elphege of Winchester. Dunstan returned to Glastonbury, living as a hermit working on his painting and metalwork.
He soon became the abbot of his community but in 955 enemies conspired against him sending him into exile in Ghent, Belgium.
Later King Edgar asked him to return to England making him his chief minister and appointed him Bishop of Worcester and London, two years later, in 960, AD Dunstan became Archbishop of Canterbury. Over the next 29 years he spent a great deal of his energy restoring monastic life on the pattern of the Rule of St Benedict, he led a prayerful life working tirelessly for peace. He was very generous with his endowing of churches and was a tireless teacher. His influence was profound. He died in 988 and is now buried on the south side of the high altar in Canterbury Cathedral.