St willebrord biography

In the pagan Radbod, king of the Frisiansretook possession of Frisia, burning churches and killing many missionaries. After the death of Radbod inWillibrord returned to resume his work, under the protection of Charles Martel. He repaired the damage done there, ably assisted by Boniface. He was quickly judged to be a saint. Willibrord wells, which skirted his missionary routes, were visited by the people, to solicit the healing of various nervous diseases, especially of children.

On one occasion, the transport of his relics was celebrated thus: "the five bishops in full pontificals assisted; engaged in the dance were 2 Swiss guards, 16 standard-bearers, 3, singers, priests, musicians, 15, dancers, and 2, players".

St willebrord biography: Bishop of Utrecht, Apostle

In he established an abbey at the Villa Echternach on the Sure; this villa had been presented to him by St. Irmina, daughter of St. Dagobert II, the donation being legally confirmed in When Radbod gained possession of all Frisia Willibrord was obliged to leave, and Radbod destroyed most of the churches, replaced them by temples and shrines to the idols, and killed many of the missionaries.

Willibrord and his companions made trips between the Maas and the Waal, to the North of Brabant, in Thuringia and Geldria, but met with no success in Denmark and Helgoland. After the death of Radbod he returned and repaired the damages done there, being ably assisted in this work by St. Numberless conversions were the result of their labour. Willibrord frequently retired to the Abbey of Echternach to provide more particularly for his own soul ; he was buried in the oratory of this abbeyand after death was almost immediately honoured as a saint.

Some relics were distributed in various churches, but the greater part remained at the abbey. On 19 Oct. His feast is celebrated on 7 Nov. Since his burial Echternacht has been a place of pilgrimageand Alcuin mentions miracles wrought there.

St willebrord biography: Willibrord (Latin: Villibrordus; c. – 7

The old church was restored in and consecrated in Sept. After the death of Radbod, which happened inWillibrord was at full liberty to preach in every part of the country. He was joined in his apostolical st willebrord biographies, inby St. Boniface, who spent three years in Friesland, then went into Germany. Bede says, when he wrote his history in "Willibrord, surnamed Clement, is still living, venerable for his old age, having been bishop thirty-six years, and sighing after the rewards of the heavenly life, after many conflicts in the heavenly warfare.

In the meantime an idolater, who was the priest and guardian of the idol, gave him a blow on the head with his backsword, with which, nevertheless, the saint was not hurt; and he would not suffer the assassin to be touched or prosecuted. But the unhappy man was soon after possessed with a devil and lost his senses. By the tears, prayers, and zealous labours of this apostle and his colleagues, the faith was planted in most parts of Holland, Zealand, and all the remaining part of the Netherlands, whither St.

Amand and St. Lebwin had never penetrated; and the Frisons, till then a rough and most barbarous people, were civilized, and became eminent for virtue and the culture of arts and sciences. Wulfran, Archbishop of Sens, and others, excited by the success of our saint's missions, were ambitious to share in so great a work under his direction. Willibrord was exceeding cautious in admitting persons to holy orders, fearing lest one unworthy or slothful minister should defeat by scandal all the good which the divine mercy had begun for the salvation of many souls.

It is also mentioned of him that he was very strict and diligent in examining and preparing thoroughly those whom he admitted to baptism, dreading the condemnation which those incur who, by sloth or facility, open a door to the profanation of our most tremendous mysteries. The schools which St. Willibrord left at Utrecht were very famous.

Being at length quite broken with old age, he resigned the administration of his diocese to a coadjutor whom he ordained bishop, and in retirement prepared himself for eternity. He died, according to Pagi, in ; according to Mabillon, in orand according to Mr. Boniface says that St. Willibrord spent fifty years in preaching the gospel, which Mr.

Smith dates from his episcopal consecration, Mabillon from his coming into Friesland, but others think these fifty years mean only thereabouts.

St willebrord biography: Saint Willibrord ; feast

He was buried, as he had desired, at his monastery of Epternac, and his relics are there enshrined at this day. The portative altar which he made use of for the celebration of the divine mysteries, in travelling through Friesland, Zealand, and Holland, is kept in the Benedictin abbey of our Lady ad Martyres, at Triers. Irmina, daughter of St.

Dagobert II, the donation being legally confirmed in When Radbod gained possession of all Frisia Willibrord was obliged to leave, and Radbod destroyed most of the churches, replaced them by temples and shrines to the idols, and killed many of the missionaries. Willibrord and his companions made trips between the Maas and the Waal, to the North of Brabant, in Thuringia and Geldria, but met with no success in Denmark and Helgoland.

After the death of Radbod he returned and repaired the damages done there, being ably assisted in this work by St. Numberless conversions were the result of their labour. Willibrord frequently retired to the Abbey of Echternach to provide more particularly for his own soul; he was buried in the oratory of this abbey, and after death was almost immediadely honoured as a saint.

Some relics were distributed in various churches, but the greater part remained at the abbey.