St. Becan

St. Becan was an early Irish monk and abbot who lived during the sixth century. According to Irish tradition, he was a kinsman of St. Columba (Colum Cille) and devoted his life to preaching the Gospel and establishing the Church in Ireland during its great age of monastic expansion.

St. Becan is best known as the founder of the monastery at Kilbeggan in present-day County Westmeath. His monastery became an important center of Christian worship and learning, and centuries later the site was chosen for the establishment of a Cistercian abbey. He is also associated with Imleach Becain (Imlech Becain) in County Meath, where the local church and parish preserve his name.

Although some later traditions include St. Becan among the Twelve Apostles of Ireland, the earliest and most widely accepted medieval lists do not. For this reason, the title is not universally attributed to him.

St. Becan is remembered for his dedication to prayer, monastic life, and the evangelization of Ireland during the formative years of the Irish Church. His feast day is celebrated on April 5.