One of our greatest saints, Wilfrid is venerated by the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Anglican Communion. During his many periods of exile, Wilfrid founded several monasteries over three English kingdoms. He built Churches, fraternized with the Pope, kings, queens, archbishops, introduced Christianity to Sussex (where during a period of drought and hunger he is said to have taught the local populace to fish) and inspired missionaries from Northumbria to travel the continent to convert pagans. Arguably, he was the greatest ecclesiastic of his day.

Flamboyant, determined and argumentative, Wilfrid lived a somewhat ostentatious life, but he changed the course of Christianity in England, striving to unify the English (Celtic) Christianity with the Roman Doctrine.

Born to a wealthy family in Northumbria, Wilfrid was a second generation Christian. After conflict with his stepmother he was educated at Lindisfarne, the monastery established by St. Aidan. St. Aidan himself had been instrumental in establishing Christianity in Northumbria. Later, Wilfrid was sent to the court of King Oswui in Canterbury, where he came under the patronage of Queen Eanflaed who “catches the eye of a dashing, handsome young son of a nobleman”. Wilfrid eventually set out on foot for Rome, but was beguiled by the luxurious lifestyle of the Archbishop of Lyon and stayed there for three years. Arriving in Rome, circa 654, he accomplished one of the first pilgrimages from England to Rome. However, his stay was short and he was soon setting up a magnificent Abbey at Ripon in Yorkshire, with skilled men brought from France. It was here that he introduced the Benedictine Rule and was ordained Priest

Problems between Celtic Christianity and the Roman Doctrine escalated at around this time and Wilfrid took his place as an “expert”, championing the cause of Rome. Rome was victorious. Thereafter the Pope appointed Wilfrid as Bishop of York. However, he wanted to be consecrated in “proper Episcopal style” so went to France, dallying so long that  St. Chad became Bishop in his absence. A fuming Wilfrid returned to Ripon Abbey. Turbulent arguments followed and eventually the Archbishop of Canterbury decreed that St. Chad had been irregularly consecrated. Wilfrid was restored!

Nine years of relative harmony followed, during which time Wilfrid built several churches, the monastery at Hexham, exercising control over both Ripon and Hexham, the while amassing a fortune for the Church.  Circa 678 Wilfrid quarrelled with the Northumbrian King and was expelled from his See. New Bishops were installed and Wilfrid once again travelled to Rome to appeal against his dethronement. The Pope insisted that he was restored, but the King would have none of it and briefly imprisoned Wilfrid at Bamburgh.

Wilfrid fled to Sussex and converted the inhabitants to Christianity, building Selsey Abbey and his Cathedral, believed to be on the site of today’s Church Norton at Pagham. Again he was recalled to Northumbria but not restored to his Bishopric of York. A third pilgrimage to Rome was called for!  After much wrangling, he was restored to Ripon and remained there until his death in circa 709.  He died on a visit to Oundle, is buried near the altar at his Church in Ripon. His feast day is October 12^th.  

 It has been said of St. Wilfrid “his character seemed to attract and infuriate in equal measure”. I think that sums him up in one short sentence.