FINNIANO di CLONARD (FINNIAN, FINLAN, FINDIAN), saint. — Irish monk, born at Myshall (County Carlow) around 470, and died at Clonard in 549 or 522 (not to be confused with the homonymous s. Finnian of Moville, Ulster).
Educated by Bishop S. Fortchern, on his advice he went to Wales, where for thirty years he devoted himself to the study of the sacred sciences and religious life, especially at the school of s. David, founder of Menevia. Returning to Ireland with some Breton disciples, he devoted himself to the apostolate, preaching, teaching, and founding churches, until, according to tradition, an angel led him to Cldain Erard (“Erard’s meadows”), where he erected the great monastery of Clonard, a famous school from which emerged so many men distinguished for learning and virtue that he merited the glorious title of “guide of the Saints of Ireland” (Tutor of the Saints of Erin); among them were s. Columba, founder of Jona, s. Clarán, founder of Clonmensa, and s. Comgall, founder of Bangor. Patron of the diocese of Meath, his feast is celebrated on 12 December.
F. gave impetus to classical culture; his teaching was distinguished by its exposition of Sacred Scripture. His writings have not come down to us.
He has been considered the author of the Poenientiale Vinniani (ed. F. Wasserschleben, Die Bussordnungen des abendland. Kirche, Halle 1851, p. 118 ff.); but this could also have been written by the homonymous s. Finnian of Moville.