ENGLISH SPEAKING SAINTS AUGUST 5, St. Abel, St. Gormcal, St Oswald

ENGLISH SPEAKING SAINTS AUGUST 5 

St. Abel, 751 A.D.  Archbishop and Benedictine abbot. Abel was probably born in Ireland, and was a noted churchman, accompanying St. Boniface on his missions to the European Continent. He was chosen as archbishop of Reims by Pope St. Zachary, a nomination ratified by the Council of Soissons in 744. However, a usurper named Milo occupied the see and would not relinquish it. Abel retired to a monastery at Lobbes, and was installed as abbot. He died there in the "odor of sanctity."  

St. Gormcal, 1016 A.D. An Irish abbot of Ardoilen Abbey, in Galway, Ireland. He participated in the monastic renaissance of that era.

St Oswald was martyred in England, at Maserfield, later named Oswestry in his memory. He was king of Northumbria and famous as a skilled warrior – but even more as a lover of peace. He worked strenuously to spread the faith, and was killed out of hatred for Christ while fighting against the pagans.   Aug 5