Roman Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle

• Saints linked with our Diocese
• Cuthbert
• Aidan
• Oswald
• Bega
• Ninian
• Oswin
• Benet Biscop
• Bede of Jarrow
• Northern Martyrs
• John Talbot
• Thomas Percy
• John Ingram

 

St Cuthbert is the patron of our diocese. He was born about 634 and legend tells us that as a boy he used to tend sheep on the mountain-sides near the monastery of Melrose. In the year 651, while watching his sheep, he saw a vision of the soul of St. Aidan being carried to heaven by angels, and inspired by this he became a monk.

 

Eventually he became prior at Lindisfarne (Holy Island )where he spent much time in evangelizing the local people.

 

He wanted more solitude and time for contemplation so went for a short while first to either St Cuthbert's Isle (off Holy Island) or as some biographers suggest St Cuthbert's Cave in Northumberland. Eventually in 676 he moved to the Inner Farne, where he lived in solitude and peace for a while.

 

While St Cuthbert was on St Cuthbert's Isle he would pray for long times at night on the shores of the sea in all weathers and seasons. Legend has it that the sea otters would come and sit at his feet warming them in the freezing North Eastern weather. Legend also has it that he, like St Francis, conversed with the local ducks who would flock around him. He also made rosaries from the fossil crinoids washed up on the sea shore. To this day these crinoids (still washed up locally) are known as St Cuthbert's Beads.

 

He is recognised as one of the world's earliest wildlife conservationists and the Eider Duck is known locally as the Cuddy Duck or Cuthbert Duck in his memory.

 

Eventually he left Holy Island and the Inner Farne when he was called back to active service as Bishop of Hexham in 684.For two years he travelled the length and breadth of the North of England.
He had the reputation of being a saint and a worker of miracles even in his lifetime. He returned to Inner Farne and died there on 20 March, 687.

 

St. Cuthbert was buried in his monastery at Lindisfarne, and his tomb immediately became celebrated for remarkable miracles. After his death, the Lindisfarne Gospels were written in his honour.

 

Cuthbert had asked that if ever the day came when the monks were driven from the monastery, would they take his bones with them. Years later there was a threat of invasion by the Danes. The monks fled, taking their precious burden with them. For over two hundred years they wandered about the north of England. Finally they settled at Durham and began the building of the famous Durham Cathedral which was to house the Shrine of our Saint

 

 

St Cuthbert's feast is kept on the 20th of March.

 

 

Watch BBC Video of Saint Cuthbert's "Last Journey Home"; a tribute to Saint Cuthbert is unveiled.

 

 

 

 

Churches and schools in our Diocese dedicated to St Cuthbert

St Cuthbert's Church, Berwick-upon-Tweed

St Cuthbert's Church, Blyth

St Cuthbert's Church, Chester-le-Street

St Cuthbert's Church, Coxhoe

St Cuthbert's Church, Crook

St Cuthbert's Church, Durham

St Cuthbert's Church, Hartlepool

St Cuthbert's Church, New Seaham

St Cuthbert's Church,Throckley

St Cuthbert's Church, North Kenton

St Cuthbert's Church, North Shields

St Cuthbert's Church, Prudhoe

St Cuthbert's Church, Stockton-on-Tees

St Cuthbert’s Primary School, Walbottle

St Cuthbert’s Primary School, Kenton

St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School, Newcastle

St Cuthbert’s Primary School, North Shields

St Cuthbert’s Primary School, Grindon

St Cuthbert’s Primary School, Stockton

St Cuthbert’s Primary School, Hartlepool

St Cuthbert’s Primary School, New Seaham

St Cuthbert’s Primary School, Chester le Street

St Cuthbert’s Primary School, Crook

St Cuthbert’s First School, Amble

St Cuthbert’s First School, Berwick