Feb 22 John the Saxon d. 895

John and Thommy

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February 22 Bl. John the Saxon d. 895

Ninth century England and France…. And the invasion of England [and Ireland] by the Danes – our Catholic resistance to and recovering from the devastation of church, faith, and patriotic living brought to England [and Ireland[ by the Danes – know the zeitgeist to help understand the happenings in a place, at a time [it’s as true for the individual; but I digress….]

Take a side trip to the bio of King Alfred the Great (849- ruled 871- 899). He defended England from the Danes’ aka Vikings’ raids and expunged them from his island kingdom. “The Great” makes obvious how high the English built his historical pedestal. Alfred not only defended and freed the English, he formulated a code of laws, fostered a rebirth of religion, and re-established the universities. The Great recreated the infrastructure of a mighty kingdom. In a nutshell, he said he needed three kinds of men to accomplish his goals: “praying men, fighting men, working men”. [or as Sidhartha said, ‘I can think, I can fast, I can write.’]

King Alfred the Great went to [Catholic] France to enlist priests of every ilk to go to England to help restore the Catholic faith. The Danes had suppressed anything that would be contentious against their invading marauders.

John the Saxon was found by Alfred in a monastery in France and invited to help rebuild Catholicism in England. [“the Saxon” suggests an interesting story. A Saxon in a French monastery? Maybe a forbearer of the English martyrs a thousand years later? An Englishman who escaped the Danes to practice his faith and pursue his vocation?]

John the Saxon was appointed abbot of Athelingay by Alfred. [another story about the ‘separation’ of church and state. But, hey, the king figured, if he were going to foot the bill and, in this case against the Danes, take the risks, he got to put his man on the scene. I wonder if there are any such consultations, direct or indirect, for the appointments made today? Could be for some of the Cardinals or in places where a monastery is a formidable presence in the community.?]

Of course John the Saxon served with vigor and distinction – he’d need that much to get to American Catholic on Line or Butlers. And, in our tradition since the very inception of Christianity, we hold that martyrs are fersure allowed directly through the pearly gates. All I have from my on line searching is that John the Saxon was murdered [martyred] by two French monks who had accompanied him…. Watch your back… ?

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