SAINTS COMMEMORATED IN OCTOBER
4 October Saint Francis of Assisi (1181-1226)
Perhaps the most loved catholic
saint, he was an Italian friar and
preacher and founded the
men’s Franciscan Order and for
women the Order of St Clare.
He was the son of a wealthy
cloth merchant and led an
adventurous life, including
going to war. In 1204, he had a
vision which directed him to a
spiritual life.
On pilgrimage to Rome he
begged with the beggars, which
moved him to live in poverty.
Back home he preached to the
streets and assembled
followers. In 1210 his order was endorsed by the Pope.
He travelled to Egypt to join crusaders, wishing for martyrdom by Muslims,
but returned unharmed to organise his order. In 1223, he arranged the first
Christmas manger scene. He received the stigmata in 1224, the first person
to bear the wounds of Christ, He died in 1226, was sainted in 1228.
He is known as the patron saint of animals and one of the 2 patrons of Italy.
13 October St Edward the Confessor (1005-1066)
He was King of England from 1042, his life was written by Osbert of Clare
(1130), prior of St Peter’s Abbey of Westminster, which Edward founded and
where he was buried. He was said to be a miracle worker, generous and
kind, the Normans promoted his sainthood since he (maybe) named the
Conqueror as successor. He was born in England, educated in Ely and
Normandy, did not return from there until he was named the successor of
Harold ‘Harefoot’. He built up a strong army and defended royal authority,
especially against Earl Godwin of Wessex, whose daughter he married. After
his death on 5 January 1066, his body was moved twice, in 1269, when a
shrine was build, and first on 13 October 1130 (in the presence of Thomas
Beckett) Then the body was said to be ‘intact’, a sign of sainthood. That
date became his saint’s day, rather the actual day of death. He became a
patron saint of England, was depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry and on the
Wilton Diptych (1390). A popular legend was, he gave a beggar a ring, which
later turned up in the Holy Land –together with a warning of the King’s death.
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