Willibrord: Difference between revisions

Willibrord
Willibrord
	Statue of St Willibrord at Echternach.
Bishop
Born	c. 658; Northumbria
Died	7 November 739
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Anglican Communion
Major shrine	Echternach
Feast	7 November
Attributes	Dipping staff into cask
Patronage	Convulsions; epilepsy; epileptics; Luxembourg; Netherlands; Archdiocese of Utrecht, Netherlands

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Willibrord (c. 658 – 7 November 739) was a Northumbrian missionary saint, known as the "Apostle to the Frisians" in the modern Netherlands. He became the first Bishop of Utrecht and died at Echternach, Luxembourg.

Early life

His father, Wilgils or Hilgis,^[1] was an Angle or, as Alcuin styles him, a Saxon, of Northumbria. Newly converted to Christianity, Wilgils entrusted his son as an oblate, to the Abbey of Ripon,^[1] and withdrew from the world, constructing a small oratory, near the mouth of the Humber, dedicated to Saint Andrew. The king and nobles of the district endowed him with estates until he was at last able to build a church, over which Alcuin afterwards ruled.

Willibrord grew up under the influence of St. Wilfrid, Bishop of York. Later he joined the Benedictines. He spent the years between the ages of 20 and 32 in the Abbey of Rathmelsigi.^[2] which was a centre of European learning in the 7th century.

Frisia

During this time he studied under Saint Egbert, who sent him and eleven companions to Christianize the pagan North Germanic tribes of Frisia, at the request of Pepin, Christian king of the Franks and nominal suzerain over that region. Willibrord travelled to Rome twice. On 21 November 695, in the Church of St Cecilia, Pope Sergius I gave him the pallium and consecrated him Archbishop of the Utrecht.^[1] He returned to Frisia to preach and establish churches, among them a monastery at Utrecht, where he built his cathedral. Willibrord is counted the first Bishop of Utrecht.

In 698 he established an abbey at a Roman villa in Echternach, in Luxembourg near Trier, which was presented to him by Pepin's mother-in-law, Irmina of Oeren. Irmina was the wife of seneschal and Count palatine Hugobert. Their daughter Plectrudis married Pepin of Heristal. Upon her husband's death, the widow Irmina founded a Benedictine convent at Horren in Trier. When a plague threatened her community, she gained the help of Willibrord; and when the pestilence passed by the convent, she gave Willibrord the lands for his abbey in Echternach.^[3]

Pepin of Heristal died in 714. In 716 the pagan Radbod, king of the Frisians, retook possession of Frisia, burning churches and killing many missionaries.^[4] Willibrord and his monks were forced to flee. After the death of Radbod in 719, Willibrord returned to resume his work, under the protection of Charles Martel. Winfrid, better known as Boniface, joined Willibrord and stayed for three years, before travelling on to preach in Germanic territory.

Veneration

Willibrord died on 7th November 739 at the age of eighty-one, and according to his wish, was buried in Echternach. 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.^[3]

In the Roman Catholic Church his feast day is celebrated on 7 November outside England, but on 29 November in England, by order of Pope Leo XIII. In the Church of England, he is celebrated on 7 November.

Numerous miracles and relics have been attributed to him. 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, 3045 singers, 136 priests, 426 musicians, 15,085 dancers, and 2032 players".^[5] A Dancing Procession continues be held in Echternach every year on Whit Tuesday, and attracts thousands of participants and an equal number of spectators, to honor the memory of a saint who is often called the apostle of the BENELUX countries.^[3]

Sources

A Life was written by Alcuin and dedicated to the Abbot of Echternach. Alcuin probably made use of an older one written by a British monk, which is now lost.^[6] Bede also makes mention of Willibrord.

Nothing written by Willibrord can be found save a marginal note in the Calendar of Echternach giving some chronological data.^[7] A copy of the Gospels (Bibliothèque National, Paris, 9389) under the name of Willibrord is an Irish codex no doubt brought by Willibrord from Ireland.

In 752/753 Boniface wrote a letter to Pope Stephen II, in which is said Willibrord destroyed the Frisian pagan sanctuaries and temples.^[8] In the Life written by Alcuin are two texts about Willibrord and pagan places of worship. In one he arrived with his companions in Walcheren in the Netherlands where he smashed an idol of the ancient superstition.^[9] In the second text passage Willibord arrived on an island called Fositesland (possibly Heligoland) where a pagan god named Fosite was worshipped. Here he despoiled this god of its sanctity by using the god's sacred well for baptisms and the sacred cattle for food.^[10]^[11]

Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c Mershman, Francis. "St. Willibrord." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 15. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 5 Mar. 2014
^ Rath Melsigi, traditionally identified as Mellifont in County Louth) Ireland, has not been securely located, in spite of its seventh-century prominence. (D. O. Croinin, "Rath Melsigi, Willibrord, and the earliest Echternach manuscripts," Peritia 3 (1984:17-42).
^ ^a ^b ^c "The life of Saint Willibrord", Willibrordus-Bauverein
^ RKK.nl retrieved 23 June 2014
^ Studien u. Mittheilungen, 1906, p. 551
^ Medieval Sourcebook: Alucin (735-804): The Life of Willibrord, c.796 http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/Alcuin-willbrord.asp
^ Croinin 1984.
^ Template:Language icon Template:Nl C.J.C. Broer and M.W.J. de Bruijn, Bonifatius en de Utrechtse kerk, in: C. Dekker and E.S.C. Erkelens-Buttinger (1997), De kerk en de Nederlanden, page 63, Verloren, ISBN 90-6550-558-X
^ Template:Language icon Alcuin, Vita Sancti Willibrordi, circa 795, chapter 14 (English translation)
^ Alcuin, chapter 10
^ Template:Nl M. Mostert (1999), 754, Bonifatius Bij Dokkum Vermoord , Uitgeverij Verloren, page 23, ISBN 90-6550-448-6

External links

A reconstructed portrait of Willibrord, based on historical sources, in a contemporary style.
Beda Venerabilis (731), "Book V: 10, 11; About Willibrord", [[Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation]] {{citation}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help)

Еditions

Paul Dräger (ed.), Alkuin, Vita sancti Willibrordi; Das Leben des heiligen Willibrord (Trier: Kliomedia, 2008).

Template:Persondata

[mershman-1] Mershman, Francis. "St. Willibrord." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 15. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 5 Mar. 2014

[2] Rath Melsigi, traditionally identified as Mellifont in County Louth) Ireland, has not been securely located, in spite of its seventh-century prominence. (D. O. Croinin, "Rath Melsigi, Willibrord, and the earliest Echternach manuscripts," Peritia 3 (1984:17-42).

[Willibrordus-3] "The life of Saint Willibrord", Willibrordus-Bauverein

[4] RKK.nl retrieved 23 June 2014

[5] Studien u. Mittheilungen, 1906, p. 551

[6] Medieval Sourcebook: Alucin (735-804): The Life of Willibrord, c.796 http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/Alcuin-willbrord.asp

[7] Croinin 1984.

[8] Template:Language icon Template:Nl C.J.C. Broer and M.W.J. de Bruijn, Bonifatius en de Utrechtse kerk, in: C. Dekker and E.S.C. Erkelens-Buttinger (1997), De kerk en de Nederlanden, page 63, Verloren, ISBN 90-6550-558-X

[9] Template:Language icon Alcuin, Vita Sancti Willibrordi, circa 795, chapter 14 (English translation)

[10] Alcuin, chapter 10

[11] Template:Nl M. Mostert (1999), 754, Bonifatius Bij Dokkum Vermoord , Uitgeverij Verloren, page 23, ISBN 90-6550-448-6

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@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 '''Willibrord''' (c. 658 – 7 November 739) was a [[Northumbria]]n missionary saint, known as the "Apostle to the [[Frisians]]" in the modern [[Netherlands]]. He became the first [[Bishop of Utrecht]] and died at [[Echternach, Luxembourg]].
-==Life==
+==Early life==
+His father, Wilgils or Hilgis,<ref name=mershman>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15645a.htm Mershman, Francis. "St. Willibrord." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 15. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 5 Mar. 2014]</ref> was an [[Angles|Angle]] or, as [[Alcuin]] styles him, a [[Anglo-Saxons|Saxon]], of [[Northumbria]]. Newly converted to Christianity, Wilgils entrusted his son as an oblate, to the Abbey of [[Ripon]],<ref name=mershman/> and withdrew from the world, constructing a small oratory, near the mouth of the [[Humber]], dedicated to [[Saint Andrew]]. The king and nobles of the district endowed him with estates until he was at last able to build a church, over which Alcuin afterwards ruled.
+Willibrord grew up under the influence of St. [[Wilfrid]], Bishop of York. Later he joined the [[Benedictine]]s. He spent the years between the ages of 20 and 32 in the [[Abbey of Rathmelsigi]].<ref> Rath Melsigi, traditionally identified as [[Mellifont]] in [[County Louth]]) [[Ireland]], has not been securely located, in spite of its seventh-century prominence. (D. O. Croinin, "Rath Melsigi, Willibrord, and the earliest Echternach manuscripts," ''Peritia'' '''3''' (1984:17-42).</ref> which was a centre of European learning in the 7th century.
-His father, Wilgils or Hilgis,<ref name=mershman>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15645a.htm Mershman, Francis. "St. Willibrord." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 15. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 5 Mar. 2014]</ref> an [[Angles|Angle]] or, as [[Alcuin]] styles him, a [[Anglo-Saxons|Saxon]], of [[Northumbria]], withdrew from the world and constructed for himself a little oratory dedicated to [[Saint Andrew]]. The [[monarch|king]] and [[nobles]] of the district endowed him with estates until he was at last able to build a church, over which Alcuin afterwards ruled.
+==Frisia==
-A disciple of St [[Wilfrid]], he was sent to study at the Abbey of [[Ripon]].<ref name=mershman/> Later he joined the [[Benedictine]]s. He spent the years between the ages of 20 and 32 in the [[Abbey of Rathmelsigi]].<ref> Rath Melsigi, traditionally identified as [[Mellifont]] in [[County Louth]]) [[Ireland]], has not been securely located, in spite of its seventh-century prominence. (D. O. Croinin, "Rath Melsigi, Willibrord, and the earliest Echternach manuscripts," ''Peritia'' '''3''' (1984:17-42).</ref> which was a centre of European learning in the 7th century. During this time he studied under [[Saint Egbert]], who sent him and twelve companions to Christianize the pagan North Germanic tribes of Frisia, at the request of [[Pepin of Herstal|Pepin]], Christian king of the Franks and nominal [[suzerainty|suzerain]] over that region. At the request of Pepin he travelled to Rome twice, finally being consecrated Bishop of the Frisians<ref name=mershman/> in the [[Santa Cecilia in Trastevere|Church of St Cecilia]]. It was 21 November 695 and he was given the name of Clement. He was also given the [[pallium]] by the pope. He returned to Frisia to preach and to build numerous churches, among them a monastery at Utrecht, where he established his cathedral and is counted the first [[Bishop of Utrecht]]. In 698 he established an abbey at a Roman [[villa]] of Echternach, in Luxembourg near [[Trier]], which was presented to him by [[Irmina]], daughter of [[Dagobert II]], king of the Franks.
+During this time he studied under [[Saint Egbert]], who sent him and eleven companions to Christianize the pagan North Germanic tribes of Frisia, at the request of [[Pepin of Herstal|Pepin]], Christian king of the Franks and nominal [[suzerainty|suzerain]] over that region. Willibrord travelled to Rome twice. On 21 November 695, in the [[Santa Cecilia in Trastevere|Church of St Cecilia]], Pope Sergius I gave him the [[pallium]] and consecrated him Archbishop of the Utrecht.<ref name=mershman/> He returned to Frisia to preach and establish churches, among them a monastery at Utrecht, where he built his cathedral. Willibrord is counted the first [[Bishop of Utrecht]].
+In 698 he established an abbey at a Roman villa in Echternach, in Luxembourg near [[Trier]], which was presented to him by  Pepin's mother-in-law, [[Irmina of Oeren]]. Irmina was the wife of seneschal and Count palatine Hugobert. Their daughter [[Plectrudis]] married Pepin of Heristal. Upon her husband's death, the widow Irmina founded a Benedictine convent at Horren in Trier. When a plague threatened her community, she gained the help of Willibrord; and when the pestilence passed by the convent, she gave Willibrord the lands for his abbey in Echternach.<ref name=Willibrordus>[http://www.willibrord.lu/rubrique4/Saint-Willibrord/The-life-of-Saint-Willibrord "The life of Saint Willibrord", Willibrordus-Bauverein]</ref>
-Willibrord returned to Fontenelle.
+Pepin of Heristal died in 714. In 716 the pagan [[Radbod, king of the Frisians]], retook possession of Frisia, burning churches and killing many missionaries.<ref>[http://www.rkk.nl/abc/detail_objectID584752.html RKK.nl] retrieved 23 June 2014</ref> Willibrord and his monks were forced to flee. After the death of Radbod in 719, Willibrord returned to resume his work, under the protection of [[Charles Martel]]. Winfrid, better known as [[Boniface]], joined Willibrord and stayed for three years, before travelling on to preach in Germanic territory.
-Willibrord tried this while on a [[Carolingian]]-sponsored mission into Frisia with the express purpose of trying to convert the pagan [[Frisians]] living there in the hope that, once they had converted to [[Christianity]], the Franks could gain control of the important trade port [[Dorestad]], which they had up to that point been unable to do.
+==Veneration==
-In 716 the [[Paganism|pagan]] [[Radbod, king of the Frisians]], retook possession of Frisia, burning churches and killing many missionaries.<ref>[http://www.rkk.nl/abc/detail_objectID584752.html RKK.nl] retrieved 23 June 2014</ref>
 [[Image:Willibrosscrine.JPG|thumb|left|Tomb of Willibrord]]
+Willibrord died on 7th November 739 at the age of eighty-one, and according to his wish, was buried in Echternach. 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.<ref name=Willibrordus/>
-After the death of Radbod in 719, Willibrord returned to resume his work, aided by [[Boniface]], and under the protection of [[Charles Martel]]. His frequent visits to the [[Abbey of Echternach]] resulted in his being interred there after his death, and he was quickly judged to be a [[saint]]. In the Roman Catholic Church his [[religious festival|feast]] is celebrated on 7 November outside England, but on 29 November in England, by order of [[Pope Leo XIII]]. In the [[Church of England]], he is celebrated on 7 November.
+In the Roman Catholic Church his feast day is celebrated on 7 November outside England, but on 29 November in England, by order of [[Pope Leo XIII]]. In the [[Church of England]], he is celebrated on 7 November.
-Numerous miracles and relics have been attributed to him. 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, 3045 singers, 136 priests, 426 musicians, 15,085 dancers, and 2032 players".<ref>''Studien u. Mittheilungen'', 1906, p.&nbsp;551</ref>
+Numerous miracles and relics have been attributed to him. 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, 3045 singers, 136 priests, 426 musicians, 15,085 dancers, and 2032 players".<ref>''Studien u. Mittheilungen'', 1906, p.&nbsp;551</ref> A Dancing Procession continues be held in Echternach every year on Whit Tuesday, and attracts thousands of participants and an equal number of spectators, to honor the memory of a saint who is often called the apostle of the BENELUX countries.<ref name=Willibrordus/>
+==Sources==
 A ''Life'' was written by [[Alcuin]] and dedicated to the Abbot of Echternach. Alcuin probably made use of an older one written by a British monk, which is now lost.<ref>Medieval Sourcebook:
 Alucin (735-804): The Life of Willibrord, c.796 http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/Alcuin-willbrord.asp</ref> [[Bede]] also makes mention of Willibrord.
-Nothing written by Willibrord can be found save a marginal note in the [[Calendar of Echternach]] giving some chronological data.<ref>Croinin 1984.</ref> A copy of the Gospels ([[Bibliothèque National]], Paris, 9389) under the name of Willibrord is an Irish [[codex]] no doubt brought by Willibrord from Ireland.
+Nothing written by Willibrord can be found save a marginal note in the Calendar of Echternach giving some chronological data.<ref>Croinin 1984.</ref> A copy of the Gospels ([[Bibliothèque National]], Paris, 9389) under the name of Willibrord is an Irish [[codex]] no doubt brought by Willibrord from Ireland.
 In 752/753 [[Saint Boniface|Boniface]] wrote a letter to [[Pope Stephen II]], in which is said Willibrord destroyed the Frisian pagan sanctuaries and temples.<ref>{{Language icon|la|Latin}}{{nl}} C.J.C. Broer and M.W.J. de Bruijn, [http://books.google.com/books?id=6qI0D0y338YC&printsec=frontcover&dq=752+willibrord+bonifatius&hl=nl#PPA63,M1 ''Bonifatius en de Utrechtse kerk''], in: C. Dekker and E.S.C. Erkelens-Buttinger (1997), ''De kerk en de Nederlanden'', page 63, Verloren, ISBN 90-6550-558-X</ref> In the ''Life'' written by Alcuin are two texts about Willibrord and pagan places of worship. In one he arrived with his companions in [[Walcheren]] in the Netherlands where he smashed an idol of the ancient superstition.<ref>{{Language icon|la|Latin}} Alcuin, ''Vita Sancti Willibrordi'', circa 795, chapter 14 ([http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/alcuin-willbrord.html English translation])</ref> In the second text passage Willibord arrived on an island called Fositesland (possibly [[Heligoland]]) where a pagan god named [[Forseti|Fosite]] was worshipped. Here he despoiled this god of its sanctity by using the god's sacred well for baptisms and the sacred cattle for food.<ref>Alcuin, chapter 10</ref><ref>{{nl}} M. Mostert (1999), ''[http://books.google.nl/books?id=MGQChS4u4ugC&pg=PA23 754, Bonifatius Bij Dokkum Vermoord ]'', Uitgeverij Verloren, page 23, ISBN 90-6550-448-6</ref>
@@ Line 56: / Line 61: @@
 *[[Anglo-Saxon mission]]
 *The [[Willibrord Society]] promotes cooperation between Anglicans and Old Catholics
+==Notes==
+{{Reflist}}
 ==External links==
 * A reconstructed [http://www.reportret.info/gallery/willibrord1.html portrait of Willibrord], based on historical sources, in a contemporary style.
 * {{citation |author=[[Beda Venerabilis]] |title=[[Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation]] |url=http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/bede-book5.html |year=731 |chapter=Book V: 10, 11; About Willibrord}}
-* [http://www.willibrord.lu/spip.php?article45 Biography of St Willibrord]
-* [http://www.luxembourg.co.uk/dancproc.html The Dancing Procession of Echternach]
-==References==
-{{Reflist}}
 ==Еditions==
 {{Commons category|Saint Willibrord}}
-* [[Paul Dräger]] (ed.), Alkuin, ''Vita sancti Willibrordi; Das Leben des heiligen Willibrord'' (Trier: [[Kliomedia]], 2008).
+* Paul Dräger (ed.), Alkuin, ''Vita sancti Willibrordi; Das Leben des heiligen Willibrord'' (Trier: [[Kliomedia]], 2008).
 {{Portalbar|Saints}}

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