Today, May 23, we celebrate the feast day of Saint William
of Rochester (also known as Saint William of Perth, 12th century), patron
saint of adopted children, and martyr for the faith. Originally from Scotland, Saint William traveled to England,
where he was eventually martyred. His
life, acts, and selfless commitment to those in need serve as a model of
Christian love and service.
William was born in Perth in the twelfth centry, one of the
most important Scottish towns at the time. While little is known about his
life, what we do know is inspiring.
After a wayward youth, William found the Lord, and embraced the
Gospel. He worked tirelessly each day
in his trade, as a baker. Evenings were
spent in service to the Church, the poor, and in prayer. It is said that every tenth loaf of bread
that he baked was given to the needy.
Saint William attended daily Mass, oftentimes prior to sunrise so that he could begin his day at the bakery. One morning, he found an abandoned infant, left on the steps of the church. He immediately adopted the boy, raising him in the faith, and providing him training in trade. He named him David (and the Scots refer to this boy as “David the Foundling”).
Saint William attended daily Mass, oftentimes prior to sunrise so that he could begin his day at the bakery. One morning, he found an abandoned infant, left on the steps of the church. He immediately adopted the boy, raising him in the faith, and providing him training in trade. He named him David (and the Scots refer to this boy as “David the Foundling”).
As the boy grew, Saint William took him on a tour of the Holy
Land, visiting the holy places of Christ’s life. With him, Saint William brought a consecrated wallet and
staff. While in Rochester, England (on
their way to visit Canterbury, and then to Jerusalem), David led his father
into a dangerous area of town, slit his throat, stole his wallet, and
disappeared.
Cathedral of Rochester |
Saint William’s body was discovered by woman known to be
mentally ill. She dressed the saint’s
body with a garland of honeysuckle, treating him with reverence. It is said that the madness immediately left
her, and she brought the saint’s body to the cathedral. There, the monks of Rochester buried him,
enshrining his relics, and proclaiming him saintly due to his holy life, his love
for his son, and the miraculous cures he wrought in death (not only of the mad
woman, but also of many at his graveside).
Saint William was canonized by Pope Alexander IV in 1256. A shrine dedicated to Saint William still
stands at the Cathedral of Rochester. His
tomb and a chapel at his murder scene, called Palmersdene, soon
became sites of pilgrimage and donation, even by the crown. Remains of the chapel
can be seen near the present Saint William's Hospital.
The life of Saint William is inspirational in that he placed
service to the Lord, and love of his fellow man, above all else. He worked tirelessly to support the Church
and serve the needy, and raised an abandoned boy as his own son. Today, we pray for all those who are
abandoned and forgotten, in need to love and support, and for those who provide
service in the vineyard of the Lord.
God of the broken,
God of the wanderer,
Christ who is without shelter,
Surround those in deep need among us.
Surround them and help us hear their cries for help.
We are a people who long for the broken to be mended,
We long for justice in the face of much corruption,
We want to practice hospitality but have legitimate fears,
Surround us in our trying times and help us to reach beyond
ourselves.
We confess we are bogged down by so much need in the world,
May we have the courage to stand for what is right even when
it offends,
May we have the imaginations to help create a better world,
And the strength of your Spirit to carry on.
Let us be as you are in this world.
Amen.
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for leaving a comment. If you wish to submit a prayer request, however, please do so above, using the "Contact" tab.