Saints and Holy People

Find out about their lives and how they changed the world

Saint Benen (d. 467)

Saint Benen (d. 467)

Feast day: November 9




Saint Benen was the son of an Irish chieftain. He was baptized by Saint Patrick, and was so enraptured by him and his work that he asked the saint if he could accompany him on his travels as a missionary. Benen was celebrated for his singing voice. With his gift, he sang in the church choir and arranged liturgical music. He was called “Patrick’s psalm-singer.”

Benen spread the Good News by evangelizing in Clare, Kerry, and Connaught. He also took on the responsibility of being the abbot of the abbey in Drumlease for 20 years. Saint Benen followed in Saint Patrick’s footsteps as bishop of Ireland. 

(Image by Andreas F. Borchert, Wikimedia Commons)