Cuthbert was born in AD 634 somewhere in the British Isles, probably in the neighbourhood of Melrose. As a boy he used to tend sheep on the mountain-sides near the monastery of Melrose. He was orphaned at an early age and while still a child living with his foster-mother, his future as bishop had been foretold by a little play-mate, whose prophecy had a lasting effect on his character. He was influenced by the holiness of the community of Melrose too, where St. Eata was abbot and St. Basil, the prior.

In the year 651, while watching his sheep, he saw in a vision the soul of Saint Aidan carried to heaven by angels. Inspired by this, at the age of 17, he joined the monastery of Melrose, which was founded by Saint Aidan, to become a Benedictine monk. 

It is believed that at one point of his life, he was a soldier and had even taken part in the great battle between the Northumbrians and the Mercians at Winwidfield. It was probably after this battle that Cuthbert found himself free, once more to return to the life he desired. He went back to Melrose and the early years of his monastic life was distinguished by supernatural occurrences and miracles. Legend says that once he entertained an angel disguised as a beggar.

In 664 when the Synod of Whitby decided in favour of the Roman Usage, St. Cuthbert, was sent by St. Eata to be prior at Lindisfarne, in order that he might introduce the Roman customs into that house. At Lindisfarne he spent much time in evangelizing the people. He was noted for his devotion to the Mass, which he could not celebrate without tears. With his zealous charity, he drew many sinners to God.

At length, in 676, moved by a desire to attain greater perfection by means of the contemplative life, he retired and moved to Farne Island, where he gave himself up to a life of great austerity. However, after some years he was called from this retirement by a synod of bishops held at Twyford in Northumberland, under St. Theodore, Archbishop of Canterbury. At this meeting he was elected as Bishop of Lindisfarne. He was consecrated at York by St. Theodore in the presence of six bishops, at Easter, 685.

At Christmas, 686, foreseeing the near approach of death, he resigned his see and returned to his cell on Farne Island, where two months later he was seized with a fatal illness. He died on March 20 shortly after midnight, and at exactly the same hour that night his friend St. Herbert, the hermit, also died, as St. Cuthbert had predicted.

St. Cuthbert was buried in his monastery at Lindisfarne, and his tomb immediately became celebrated for remarkable miracles. These were so numerous and extraordinary that he was called the "Wonder-worker of England". In 698 the first transfer of the relics took place, and the body was found incorrupt.

Saint Cuthbert is regarded as the patron Saint of England, against plague and epidemics, boatmen, mariners, sailors, watermen, shepherds.

Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Wulfram of Sens
2. Saint John Nepomucene
3. Saint Jósef Bilczewski
4. Saint Maria Josefa Sancho de Guerra
5. Saint Martin of Braga

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