WHO WAS SAINT DUNSTAN?

The patron of this parish is Dunstan, 25th Archbishop of Canterbury

The custom of naming patrons of churches arose from the practice of building churches over the tombs of martyrs. Historically a patron is a saint who has been chosen as a special intercessor or advocate in heaven of a particular place, person, or organization.

Dunstan was bon in England sometime between 909 and 923 CE and was committed to the care of the Irish scholars (monks) as a youth for education. After being attached for a time to the court of King Athlelstan, he made his profession as a monk in the great abbey of Glastonbury. In about 940, he became abbot of Glastonbury, possibly as early as the age of 18. Glastonbury Abbey is one of the oldest Christian sites in England and is associated with King Arthur and his Court. In addition, the Holy Grail is said to be buried somewhere near this site.

Dunstan was a strict ascetic and completely reformed the monastery, insisting on the observance of the Benedictine Rule. Under him, the abbey became famous for its learning and became one of the chief religious centers in the country.

He became Bishop of Worcester and then Bishop of London. King Edgar made Dunstan the 25th Archbishop of Canterbury in 959. The restoration of monastic life, which had fallen into disarray in the previous century, was almost wholly Dunstan's work. He founded over forty new monasteries, including the great abbeys of Peterborough, Ely, and Thorney. The earliest complete coronation text for an English monarch was compiled by Dunstan for King Edgar and became the model for future coronations, putting emphasis on the bond between church and monarch thus making the coronation a sacred act. Dunstan's coronation ceremony still forms the basis of royal coronations today. It is said that he also designed the royal coronation crown.

He encouraged building, art, learning, and the written word, and achieved fame as a musician, illuminator, and metal worker-silversmith.

When he died in 988, Dunstan was buried at Canterbury Cathedral. Until Thomas a Becket later eclipsed Dunstan's fame, he was the most popular English saint.