St Malachy Maol Mhaodhóig was a native of the northern part of Ireland at the end of the 11th century. After some years in a monastery, he was named as Bishop of Down and Connor. He was called to the primatial See of Armagh in 1134. The once vibrant missionary 'Celtic' church model had been very strong from the sixth to ninth centuries. But the structures had fallen into some disarray on the Island of Saints and Scholars, a trend accelerated by Viking invasions.

The new archbishop worked to reform that church, introducing a stronger emphasis on the diocese as a key structure, and seeking to refresh monastic life by the introduction of the Cistercians from France. He travelled extensively on the European mainland. His Gaelic name was unknown there and he was given the name of the old Testament prophet, Malachi. This means 'my messenger'.

Malachy died in Clairvaux, France just over 850 years ago on 21st November 1148. His final reported words were "I have believed in God, and all things are possible to the one who believes. I have loved God, I have loved you, and love will never fail." He was a man who worked hard to build on the best of the past, but who did not fear to introduce new ideas.

He was someone who had a European and international view of the world. In that sense, he remains a fine model for a school which aims to prepare young people for the dialogue with a changing world. His feast is celebrated each year on November 3rd, as Patron of the Diocese of Down and Connor.