March 20 | Saint Herbert

Welcome, young history buffs and curious minds, to My Daily Saint, the podcast that digs deep into the incredible lives of the saints, those remarkable people who shaped history and continue to inspire us today. Forget dusty old portraits and boring stories. Today, we are going to the wild, misty lakes of 7th century England. Today, we are looking at a man whose life is shrouded in mystery. A man who found holiness in the quiet, but whose heart was tied to another in a bond so strong, not even death could break it.

This is the story of St. Herbert. All that is known about the life of St. Herbert comes from St. Bede's ecclesiastical history of the English people and the life of St. Cuthbert. That's it. Two ancient texts are the only reason we know this man existed. So, who was he? We know that he was English, and he lived a very long time ago. He died around the year 687. But it is his vocation that really sets the scene for our story. Herbert wasn't a bishop in a busy city or a...

King leading an army. Herbert was a priest and a hermit. Picture a small, isolated island in the middle of a vast, gray body of water. This is the island of Lake Derwentwater. This was Herbert's home. He lived there alone, separated from the rest of the world by the deep waters of the lake. For most of us, being stuck on an island alone sounds like a punishment. But for a hermit like Herbert, it was a way to get closer to God. He removed all distractions so he could focus entirely on prayer.

But even though Herbert was physically isolated, his heart wasn't alone. He had a connection to the outside world that was incredibly powerful. Herbert was very close friends with St. Cuthbert. St. Cuthbert is a massive figure in English history, a famous bishop and miracle worker. And yet, this famous bishop and this lonely hermit on an island shared a deep spiritual friendship.

It's the kind of friendship where you don't need to see each other every day to know the other person is there for you. Imagine the anticipation Herbert must have felt whenever he knew he would get to see Cuthbert. Living in silence all year, And then having those moments of spiritual conversation with his best friend.

In the 7th century, life was often short, and Herbert, of course, knew that death was inevitable. So, Herbert did something extraordinary. He made a specific request to heaven. He prayed that God would give him the grace to die the same day as his friend.

It's a request that speaks to a bond that is almost impossible for us to understand in our modern, disconnected world. It shows us that even holy men, who love God above all else, deeply value human friendship. And here is the most dramatic part of the story. God granted him his desire.

On March 20, 687, St. Cuthbert passed away. And on that very same day, on his quiet island in the middle of Lake Donantwater, St. Herbert also took his last breath. They departed this life together, just as Herbert had asked. Herbert died on the island, which later became known as St. Herbert's Island. Even today, if you go to that lake in England, the island still bears his name. A permanent memorial to a hermit who found his way to heaven through the prayers of a friend.

So, what can you do today to live a little bit like St. Herbert? Think of one friend who really encourages you to be a better person. Not just the friend who is fond to play video games with, but the friend who is kind, honest, and good. Send them a message, or say a prayer for them today. Ask God to bless your friendship just like he blessed the friendship between Herbert and Cuthbert. Thank you for joining us on My Daily Saint. We look forward to sharing another incredible story of faith and courage with you tomorrow.