St. Dunstan's Day

St. Dunstan's Day

May 19St. Dunstan (c. 909-988) was the archbishop of Canterbury. According to legend, St. Dunstan was such a good man that Satan felt his activities had to be watched all the time. One day, when Dunstan was working at the monastery forge, he looked up and saw the devil peering at him through the window. He quickly pulled the red-hot tongs from the coals and grabbed the devil's nose with them, refusing to let go until he promised not to tempt him any more. Howling in pain, Satan ran and dipped his nose in nearby Tunbridge Wells to cool it off, which is why the water there is sulphurous. St. Dunstan is buried in Canterbury Cathedral. He is the patron saint of blacksmiths, jewelers, and locksmiths.
SOURCES:
AnnivHol-2000, p. 84
BkDays-1864, vol. I, p. 653
DaysCustFaith-1957, p. 126
OxYear-1999, pp. 210, 212