Calendar Saints

Felix, Apostle to the East Angles

Born in Burgundy at the beginning of the seventh century, Felix reputedly converted the exiled King Sigebert of the East Angles and, after the King's return to Britain, was consecrated bishop and then persuaded by the King to follow him to effect the conversion of his subjects. He was commissioned by Honorious, Archbishop of Canterbury, to this work and made Dunwich the centre of his new See. He established schools and monasteries and ministered in his diocese for seventeen years. He died in the year 647.

St John of God, religious

Born in Portugal in 1495. He spent an adventurous youth as a soldier. A sermon of St John of Avila turned his mind to the sufferings of the poor and sick, and he devoted the rest of his life to their care. He established hospitals for the outcasts of society. Gradually others joined him in this work, and his followers established the Order of Hospitallers of St John of God. He died in 1550.

Edward King, Bishop of Lincoln

Born in London in 1829, Edward King, both as a priest and then as a bishop, was revered for the holiness of his life and the wisdom of his counsel. He was chaplain, then principal, of Cuddesdon Theological College, followed by a dozen years as professor of theology in Oxford, during which time he exercised a great influence on a generation of ordinands. In 1885, he was consecrated bishop of the diocese of Lincoln, a position he held until his death. His advocacy of Catholic principles in ritual as well as theology involved him in controversy, but his significant gift to the Church was his example as a pastoral and caring bishop to both clergy and laity.

Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy, Priest, Poet

Born in 1883, Studdert Kennedy was a young vicar in Worcester who became an army chaplain during the First World War. His warm personality soon earned the respect of the soldiers, who nicknamed him 'Woodbine Willie' after the brand of cigarettes he shared with them. After the First World War, he became a writer and regular preacher, drawing large crowds, who were attracted by his combination of traditional sacramental theology with more unconventional theological views. He worked tirelessly for the Christian Industrial Fellowship, but his frail health gave way and he died(still a young man) on this day in 1929.

A Prayer

Ever-living God,
the signs of your love are manifest
in the honour you give your saints.
May their prayers and their example encourage us
to follow your Son more faithfully.