Did you know? One of the oldest cities in the United States, Boston has a Catholic secret, owing its namesake to a saint.

Saint Botolph of Thorney was born sometime in the 7th century and died the year 680 A.D. Little is known about his life other than he was an abbot, founding a monastery in Suffolk at a place called Icanho.

Saint Botolph is the patron saint of travelers and all aspects of farming, for his role in overseeing the draining of Suffolk marshlands. He was most likely canonized by Pope Zachary, known as a man of epic religiosity and grace.

After his death, one of the largest parish churches in England was built at the site of Botolph’s monastery. The city was then called Saint Botolph’s Town. Over time the name was contracted to Boston, today a city in Lincolnshire.

When settlers first came to Massachusetts from England in 1630, they named their newly founded town after Botolph, the reason why Boston is secretly named after a Catholic saint.

Photo credit: Dmitrijs Kaminskis / Shutterstock.com
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