SAINT OF THE DAY

FEB. 28: ST. OSWALD OF WORCHESTER

(Died 992)

In in 10th-century England there were large groups of people who settled in England from Scandinavian countries. They brought with them their Gods but slowly adopted Christianity.

Oswald was of Danish ethnicity but born in England. He was brought up by his uncle Odo, the archbishop of Canterbury and educated by Fridegode, a poet and clergyman.

For his time, he received an extensive religious education. Oswald was made the canon of the old minister but eventually developed a desire for the austere monastic life. He traveled to France and joined the monastery at Fleury.

As Odo was approaching his death, Oswald was called back to England. Unfortunately, he arrived in England too late to see his uncle alive. He returned to France, but the English made many entreaties to call him back to his homeland. In 960 Oswald returned and was appointed the bishop of Worchester and in 972 was additionally named Archbishop of York, thus holding two high positions in the English Catholic Church.

Oswald has been noted for his work in promoting English monasticism. He also fought to abolish married clergy. Although he has been credited with authoring four books, none has survived to our day. He died on Feb. 28, 992.

Adapted by A. J. Valentini from: Oswald of Worcester, – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature -. (n.d.). StudyLight.Org. Retrieved Feb. 25, 2021, from https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/mse/o/oswald-of-worcester.html