The Memorial of Bl. Alcuin

May 19 is the memorial of the Blessed Alcuin, from 8th century York, who worked to rebuild western education under Charlemagne.  The Patron Saints Index has links to resources and a prayer to Bl. Alcuin.  There is more in the Catholic Encyclopedia. 

Bl. Alcuin is often remembered for promoting Saturday for devotion to the Blessed Virgin.  He wrote six formularies for Votive Masses for certain days of the week.  He assigned two Masses for Saturday in honor of the Blessed Virgin. (See here).

He is mentioned in this blog in a post on the "Dark Ages" for his contribution to bringing Western Europe out of its decline.  He wrote to Charlemagne about Charlemagne's wish to create an educational system for his empire:

“If most men were to embrace your outstanding intentions, perhaps a new Athens would be brought to perfection in Francia, indeed a far more excellent Athens.  For ennobled by teaching of Christ the Lord, our Athens would surpass the wisdom of the Academy.  Educated only in the disciplines of Plato, the old Athens glimmered thanks to the seven liberal arts.  But enriched by the sevenfold plenitude of the Holy Spirit, the new Athens would surpass every glory of worldly wisdom.”