To Lindisfarne, my friends, we go today, to see the Holy Bishop Aidan's hallowed isle; from here Northumberland received the Light, the Light of Christ which lightens every man alive. The sainted king, the royal Oswald, sent to fair Iona for a consecrated one; the fathers there responded with a saint, the blessed, gentle Aidan, friend of God and man. From Ireland came this blessed man of God, through Scotland's holiest of islands in the West, Iona here reborn he made this isle which twice each day is riding on the rolling sea. The monastery here, he laid its stones and blessed the altar daily with the holy song of life and liturgy, the hours and days, the interweaving worship of the Triune God. The rich foundation laid with prayer and fast, the holy Aidan shone the Light throughout the North and gathered to him such as would obey and gladly heed the call to live angelic life. From here came forth a stream of holy ones, the holy Cuthbert and the blessed abbess Hild both sprang from Aidan's prayers and faithfulness and brought the Light incarnate to Northumbria. So, pray for us, you holy ones of God; Lift up your hearts to intercede before the Lord! You priests who serve there in eternity now serve invisibly with us who dwell on Earth.