Dear friends,
The Church calendar today recognizes our patron saint, Dunstan. I have to admit that when I applied here more than two decades ago I had no idea who Dunstan was. He was an Archbishop of Canterbury, who died in 988. He was a leader in the revival of monasticism, but was described as a “contemplative in action,” meaning that he put his prayers into action for both the Church and the world.
Dunstan was an expert craftsman. He is the patron saint of blacksmiths and bell casters. That is why we use wrought iron candlesticks instead of the usual brass or silver.
Dunstan is much better known in England than he is here. When I was in London last month I visited the ruins of St. Dunstan’s church there. The church by renowned architect Christopher Wren was largely destroyed during the Blitz. The ruins are now set aside as a beautiful garden.
And I couldn’t help but notice that the church is at the corner of St. Dunstan’s Hill and Idol Lane. There’s a sermon there somewhere!
With love,
Tricia
