Daily Martyrology for October 12

In 709, in England, St. Wilfrid, bishop. When he was fourteen, he went to Lindisfarne for four years. He wasn’t satisfied with the Celtic customs there and went to France and Rome, where he developed a more politically involved model of the bishop’s role. Returning to England, he became abbot of Ripon, and introduced the continental ways there. After the Synod of Whitby, he was appointed bishop of Northumbria. He endowed a large monastery at Hexham. He ran afoul of both the king and Archbishop Theodore; on his way to Rome to plead his case he did missionary work in Friesland. Upon his return to England, he had further difficulties with kings, but ended his days as bishop of Hexham.

In 709, in England, St. Wilfrid, bishop. Wilfrid spent four years in the monastery of Lindisfarne, but was unsatisfied with their Celtic customs and moved on to France and Rome, developing a politically active model of the role of the bishop. Returning to England, he became abbot of Ripon, and introduced there the monastic and liturgical practices of Rome and Gaul. After the Synod of Whitby, he was appointed bishop of Northumbria. Because of conflicts with Archbishop Theodore (September 19) and several rulers, he spent a great deal of his life in exile. He ended his days as bishop at Hexham.

In 670, St. Ethelburga, abbess of Barking.

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Our daily martyrology was written by Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB. Copyright © 2008 by the Monastery of the Ascension, Jerome, ID 83338.