Saint Etchen Explained

St. Etchen (Etchenius, Ecian or Echen; 490 – 11 February 577) was an Irish Abbot who founded a monastery in Clonfad, County Westmeath.^{[1] [2]}

Traditional narrative

Legend states that Etchen ordained Columba into the priesthood, and that he had to stop in the middle of ploughing a field to perform the act.^{[3] [4] [5]}

Death

Etchen died on 11 February 577AD of natural causes. He was buried at his monastery in Clonfad.^[6] His date is celebrated as the Feast of Saint Etchen in Ireland.^[7]

Veneration

A number of local schools and churches are named after St. Etchen, including:

• Church of St. Etchen, Killucan
• St. Etchen National School, Kinnegad^[8]

See also

• Clonfad

Notes and References

1. Web site: Saint Etchen of Clonfad. 11 February 2015.
2. Web site: 2018-04-26. St.Etchen the Farmer Bishop Pray for us!. 2021-10-16. Church of the Assumption. en-US.
3. Web site: Clonfad - an industrious monastery (And selected chapters) 2012. Stevens. Paul.
4. For whom the bell tolls: The monastic site at Clonfad 3, Co. Westmeath. Creative Minds. January 2010. Stevens. Paul.
5. http://worldcat.org/oclc/59377673 Watkins, Basil. The Book of Saints
6. Web site: St. Patrick: Apostle of Ireland. Todd. James Henthorn. 1864.
7. Web site: St. Etchen of Clonfad Biography. Catholic Readings. 23 April 2019. 26 October 2021.
8. Web site: Scoil Etchen Naofa . scoiletchen.com.