St. Dunstan of Canterbury

Dunstan was educated at Glastonbury, where prayer and learning became lasting parts of his life. He spent time at the royal court before embracing monastic life. In his retreat he divided his day between worship and work, copying books and making objects for the service of the church.

As abbot of Glastonbury he helped restore religious life after a period of disorder. His dealings with kings brought both influence and exile. After time in Flanders he returned to England, served as a bishop, and eventually became archbishop of Canterbury. Together with St. Ethelwold and St. Oswald, he worked for renewed discipline in monasteries and among the clergy.

Public responsibilities did not remove his concern for personal prayer. Butler describes his visits to churches, preaching, relief of the poor and efforts to reconcile differences. Glastonbury remained a place of retirement to which he returned when he could. His final illness came at Canterbury, where he prepared for death through prayer and the sacraments. He died on May 19, 988.