King St. Edward the Confessor

Saint Edward

King & Confessor

Edward was born in the early 11th century, the son of King Ethelred II and nephew of King St. Edward the Martyr. After the Danes conquered England in 1016, Edward lived in exile on the continent for over two decades until he could finally return, welcomed triumphantly by his people. He soon earned the admiration of even the Danes still living in England. Edward’s reign was peaceful, with no major military efforts beyond his support of King Malcolm of Scotland against the infamous Macbeth. He was the first English monarch to heal scrofula, or “the king’s evil”, at a mere touch. He was gifted with visions, and zealously supported the Church and the poor, once even carrying a poor paralytic to Mass, at which the man was healed. On another occasion he gave his royal ring to a beggar, who was in fact St. John the Evangelist in disguise. St. John sent back the ring with a prediction of Edward’s death, so that he might prepare his soul. Edward died in the year of Our Lord 1066. His brother-in-law Harold was the last crowned Anglo-Saxon king, killed later that year at Hastings. For two centuries Edward was the primary patron of England, before the official adoption of St. George.

Traditional Roman Martyrology for October 13th

IN England, St. Edward, king, who died on the 5th of January. He is specially honored on this day, on account of the translation of his body.

At Troas, in Asia Minor, the birthday [into heaven] of St. Carpus, disciple of the blessed apostle Paul.

At Cordova, in Spain, the birthday [into heaven] of the holy martyrs Faustus, Januarius, and Martial. First tortured on the rack, then having their eyelashes shaven, their teeth plucked out, their ears and noses cut off, they finished their martyrdom by fire.

At Thessalonica, St. Florentius, a martyr, who, after enduring various torments, was burned alive.

In Austria, St. Colman, martyr.

At Ceuta, in Morocco, seven martyrs of the Order of Friars Minor, Daniel, Samuel, Angelus, Domnus, Leo, Nicholas, and Hugolinus. For preaching the Gospel and refuting the errors of Mahomet, they were reviled, bound, and scourged by the Saracens, and finally won the palm of martyrdom by being beheaded.

At Antioch, the holy bishop Theophilus, who held the pontificate in that church, the sixth after the blessed apostle Peter.

At Tours, St. Venantius, abbot, and confessor.

At Subiaco, in Italy, St. Chelidonia, virgin.

℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.

℟. Thanks be to God.