Bede entered the monastery at Jarrow for his educa-tion at the age of seven and stayed ther the remaining fifty-five years of his life. "It has ever been my delight to learn or teach or write," he said, but he was also a priest, known for his humility ("mar-velously learned and not at all proud," according to a contemporary).

    He was sensitive to the needs of the laity and thought some lived such holy lives that they should receive communion weekly, even daily-unheard of at the time.

    Bede is best known for his writings, particularly The Ecclesiastical History of the English People, considered one of the great historical works of all time and still widely read. He also translated Scripture and wrote commentaries, poetry, lives of the saints, and other works. Bede died after a brief illness while singing the doxology, sitting on the floor of his cell where he had asked his fellow monks to place him.

    St Boniface, hearing of his death, said : " The candle of the church, lit by the Holy Spirit, is extinguished. "

    Feast : 25 may.