A reader  – actually a priest from Ireland –  writes in with the reminder that on September 4, along with many others, we celebrate Saint Macnissi (there are many variants on the name) who was baptized by St. Patrick and probably founder of the Kells monastery. Father shares this wonderful observation:

September 4th is the feast day of St Macnissi (spelt sometimes MacNisi or Macnisius) the patron of the Irish diocese of Connor – now united with the diocese of Down – basically north east of Ireland including Belfast.

While in St Patrick’s Church in San Frrancisco over the summer, I noticed that the church had 32 stained glass windows down the side walls – one for each of the 32 counties of Ireland – each depicting the name of the county’s saint as well as the name of the county. It was delightful to see the images of these Irish saints looking down on a packed congregation mostly of Chinese and Filipinos – a wonderful symbol of the spread, continuity, resilience and Catholicity of the Church.

So true!

A bit more on the history of St. Macnissi’s era.