Cuthbert was born in Northumbria in northern England about 625. One
night, while tending a herd of sheep, he saw lights in the sky which he
interpreted as a soul being escorted heavenward by a band of angels.
Later, he learned that Aidan of Lindisfarne (31
August 651) had died that night, and he resolved to enter the monastic
life. He was a monk at Melrose Abbey from 651 to 664, and when the Abbot,
Eata, became abbot and bishop at Lindisfarne, Cuthbert accompanied him
and was Prior there until 676. Although he had been brought up in the
Celtic customs, he accepted the decrees of the Synod of Whitby in 663
which committed the English Church to following instead the Roman customs
that had been introduced into Cantrbury by Augustine, and so he helped to
minimize contention over the decision. Although his real preference was
for the solitary life of a hermit, he recognized a duty to minister to
the needs of the people about him. Year after year he made long journeys,
on horseback and on foot, to Durham and throughout Northumbria, and in
the regions of Berwick and Galloway, preaching to the scattered
population in remote and sparsely settled areas, instructing them in the
faith and encouraging them in the practice of it, urging them in times of
sickness not to rely on charms or amulets, but to pray to God and put
their trust in His mercy and love. Like Francis of
Assisi, he had a remarkable rapport with animals, both wild and
domestic.
Theodore, the Archbishop of Canterbury, made Cuthbert Bishop of Hexham, but he was a solitary by nature, and promptly exchanged bishoprics with Eata so as to remain at Lindisfarne. After two years, he retired to the neighboring island of Farne as a hermit, and died there the following year.
Almighty God, who didst call Cuthbert from following the flock To be a shepherd of thy people: Mercifully grant that, as he sought in dangerous and remote places those who had erred and strayed from thy ways, so we may seek the indifferent and the lost, and lead them back to thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Almighty God, who called Cuthbert from following the flock to Be a shepherd of your people: Mercifully grant that, as he sought in dangerous and remote places those who had erred and strayed from your ways, so we may seek the indifferent and the lost, and lead them back to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.