ST. BECAN, ABBOT

SON of Murchade and Cula, of the regal family of Munster, contemporary with king Dermitius and St. Columb-Kille. In building his church, he worked frequently on his knees, and while his hands were employed at his work, he ceased not praying with his lips, his eyes at the same time streaming with tears of devotion. In the life of St. Molossus he is named among the twelve apostles of Ireland: and in the Festilogium of Ængus, on the 21st of March, he is said to be, with St. Endeus and St. Mochua, one of the three greatest champions of virtue, and leaders of saints in that fruitful age of holy men. See Colgan, MSS. ad 5 Apr.