Wulfstan, bishop
I led Morning Prayer today (being the only day this week that I've arrived at church before it started -oops!). I was pleasantly surprised on picking up my copy of CCP and the Ordo to discover that today is the commemoration of Wulfstan, bishop of Worcester.
Wulfstan was born in about 1009 and was a monk in the priory of Worcester Cathedral. He was elected to the episcopacy against his own wishes but proved a good and caring bishop. He was one of the few (the only?) saxon bishops to maintain his see after the Norman Conquest when Wiliam of Normandy began to fill episcopal thrones with his own courtiers. This was the more remarkable given that he had been confessor to Harold, the last Saxon king. He guided his diocese and, in his role as a trusted official, the country through a time of major political and social upheaval as William stamped his mark on England.
He was responsible for the rebuilding of Worcester Cathedral in 1084, and the two western most bays of the Nave, and the crypt survive from this time.
However, more than this, he was both humble and holy. Even after his elevation to the episcopacy he followed the Rule of St Benedict and was well known throughout his diocese as a caring pastor, a fair judge and an inspiring preacher. There are several accounts of him having healed those who were sick and offered refuge to those persecuted as English-Saxon officials were displaced by Norman successors.
Wulfstan died on this day in 1095, aged 86 (a remarkable age for his time) and was canonised on 21 April 1203.
My home diocese is Worcester and I have visited and worshipped in the Cathedral many times, where Wulfstan was monk, priest and bishop. And where, later, he was buried. Sadly, his shrine was despoiled by the reformers.
Saint Wulfstan,
pray for us.
All you holy bishops and confessors,
pray for us.
Wulfstan was born in about 1009 and was a monk in the priory of Worcester Cathedral. He was elected to the episcopacy against his own wishes but proved a good and caring bishop. He was one of the few (the only?) saxon bishops to maintain his see after the Norman Conquest when Wiliam of Normandy began to fill episcopal thrones with his own courtiers. This was the more remarkable given that he had been confessor to Harold, the last Saxon king. He guided his diocese and, in his role as a trusted official, the country through a time of major political and social upheaval as William stamped his mark on England.
He was responsible for the rebuilding of Worcester Cathedral in 1084, and the two western most bays of the Nave, and the crypt survive from this time.
However, more than this, he was both humble and holy. Even after his elevation to the episcopacy he followed the Rule of St Benedict and was well known throughout his diocese as a caring pastor, a fair judge and an inspiring preacher. There are several accounts of him having healed those who were sick and offered refuge to those persecuted as English-Saxon officials were displaced by Norman successors.
Wulfstan died on this day in 1095, aged 86 (a remarkable age for his time) and was canonised on 21 April 1203.
My home diocese is Worcester and I have visited and worshipped in the Cathedral many times, where Wulfstan was monk, priest and bishop. And where, later, he was buried. Sadly, his shrine was despoiled by the reformers.
Saint Wulfstan,
pray for us.
All you holy bishops and confessors,
pray for us.
posted by Credo at 1/19/2006 01:48:00 pm
2 Comments:
Thank you for this, Credo.
I love to learn about the pre-schism Saints of the British Isles. All Christians can affirm them and seek their fellowship without feeling as thought they are compromising their own traditions.
Fr Andrew Phillips has written The Hallowing of England, which is a guide to British Saints and places of pilgrimage associated with them.
I think I'll order a copy.
You're very welcome. :-)
Post a Comment
<< Home