Saint Gobbán Beg

Biography

Saint Gobbán Beg, also known as Gobbán the Small, is a saint mentioned on old calendars in Ireland. While no specific details about his life have survived, his name suggests that he was a small man. He is known to have lived during a time when the Christian faith had not yet taken a strong foothold in Ireland. Saint Gobbán Beg's representation is not widely known, and there are no specific symbols or icons associated with him. His story and identity have been somewhat obscured by time, but his inclusion in ancient calendars indicates that he was venerated by the early Irish Christians. As a pre-congregation saint, Saint Gobbán Beg's feast day is celebrated on July 16th. This day is designated to honor and commemorate his life, although the specific reason or significance behind this date is unknown. Although Saint Gobbán Beg was not officially canonized in the modern sense, he holds the status of pre-congregation sainthood. This means that his recognition as a saint predates the establishment of the formal canonization process within the Catholic Church. It is unfortunate that very little information is available about Saint Gobbán Beg's life, including his patronage. The lack of surviving details hinders our ability to understand the specific aspects of his life or the people and causes he may have been associated with. Despite the limited information surrounding his life, Saint Gobbán Beg continues to be honored and remembered by those who value the early Christian heritage of Ireland. His inclusion in ancient calendars serves as a testament to his importance within the early Irish Christian community, and his feast day provides an opportunity for believers to express their devotion to the faith and the saints who came before them.