Fillan of Munster was born in Ireland around the year 695 to noble parents. Not much is known about his early life, other than he took the habit of a monk and came to Scotland from Ireland in 717 with his widowed mother and his uncle. The three were hermits, but after a while, Fillan devoted himself to evangelization in the area of Perthshire. He was venerated by the townspeople, founded a monastic settlement where he served as abbot, and became the subject of many Scottish legends. He died in 777 of natural causes. One of his relics was carried into battle by Robert the Bruce, and after the victory, a priory was built and named in St. Fillan’s honor.
CHALLENGE
Near St. Fillan’s Priory is a stream with a pool that is said to have provided many people with miraculous cures for mental illness. Every diocese has a list of local and national resources for those in need of counseling or mental health care. Today, ask the Holy Spirit to direct you to where your personal gifts can do the most good for others, call your diocese or visit their website, and then act.
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