Cuthbert was thought by some to be Irish and by others, a Scot. The noted historian, says he was a Briton. Orphaned when a young child, he was a shepherd for a time, possibly fought against the Mercians, and became a monk at Melrose Abbey.

Cuthbert engaged in missionary work and when St. Colman refused to accept the decision of the Council of Whitby in favour of the Roman liturgical practices, immigrated with most of the monks of Lindisfarne to Ireland, St. Eata was appointed bishop in his place and named Cuthbert Prior of Lindisfarne.

He resumed his missionary activities. Against his will, he was elected bishop of Hexham in 685, and became bishop of Lindisfarne. He spent the last two years of his life caring for the sick of the plague that decimated his diocese, working numerous miracles of healing, and gifted with the ability to prophesy. He died at Lindisfarne.

His feast day is March 20.

In the true faith may we remain; in Jesus may we find hope; against exploitation of the poor may we help; against our faults may we fight, our bad habits abandon;

The name of our neighbour may we defend; in the work of mercy may we advance; those in misery may we help; every danger of sin may we avoid.

Amen