St. Ninian, Bishop (16 September): Butler's Lives of the Saints

About this sermon

Discover the life of Saint Ninian, Bishop and Apostle of the Southern Picts, whose feast is commemorated on September 16. Born a prince among the Cumbrian Britons of Cumberland and Galloway, Ninian displayed an extraordinary devotion to God from childhood. While others pursued worldly advancement, he renounced wealth, sensuality and ambition in order to obtain the far greater treasure of the Catholic Faith. Leaving his court, friends and native country behind, Ninian traveled to Rome. There he spent many years growing in Christian virtue and studying the sacred sciences. Inflamed with love for God and compassion for his homeland, he eventually returned to Britain to share the fullness of the Faith with his people. Saint Ninian strengthened those who had already received Christianity and brought idolaters into the path of eternal life. He softened the fierce heart of a Pictish king and converted the Cumbrians and Southern Picts as far as Mount Grampius. At Whithorn in Galloway, Ninian constructed a stone church dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours. Because the northern Britons had never seen such a building, it became known as *Candida Casa*—the “White House”—from which the name Whithorn developed. Ninian established his episcopal see there, and the church became a seminary that formed generations of missionaries and saints. Saint Ninian died on September 16, 432. Renowned for miracles, his relics were venerated at Whithorn for centuries. His life reminds us that the gift of Faith is an immeasurable treasure—and that those who possess it have a duty to help bring its saving light to others. Saint Ninian, Apostle of the Southern Picts, pray for us. Source: *The Lives of the Saints* by Father Alban Butler. 0:00 Saint Ninian, Bishop 0:17 Apostle of the Southern Picts 0:24 His Childhood Devotion and Piety 0:32 Choosing Faith Over Worldly Advancement 0:48 Renouncing Wealth, Pleasure and Ambition 1:05 Saint Ninian Studies in Rome 1:20 His Love and Zeal for God 1:27 Returning to Evangelize His Homeland 1:42 Strengthening the Existing Christians 1:51 Converting Idolaters and a Pictish King 2:06 Building the Stone Church at Whithorn 2:14 Candida Casa: The “White House” 2:21 A Church Dedicated to Saint Martin 2:29 Evangelizing the Cumbrians and Southern Picts 2:45 Saint Columba and Saint Palladius 3:03 Christianity in Ancient Caledonia 3:19 Whithorn Becomes a Missionary Seminary 3:26 Saint Ninian’s Death and Miracles https://sensusfidelium.com/the-lives-of-the-fathers-martyrs-and-other-principal-saints/september/st-ninian/ Get Butler's Lives of the Saints here: https://loretopublications.idevaffiliate.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=102&url=1 #SaintNinian #CatholicSaints #LivesOfTheSaints #CatholicFaith #ChristianHistory #ScottishSaints #ApostleOfThePicts #September16Saint 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴