St. Richard of Chichester: Feast Day, Patronage & Prayers
Updated: Oct 3
Feast day: April 3 (kept in England; not on the General Roman Calendar)
Patron of: No widely recognized patronage; honored in Sussex, England.
About St. Richard of Chichester
St. Richard of Wyche was born around 1197 in Droitwich, England. After his parents died, he worked hard to restore the family farm for his older brother, then studied at Oxford, Paris, and Bologna, becoming a distinguished scholar of canon law. He served as chancellor of the University of Oxford and then as chancellor to St. Edmund Rich, archbishop of Canterbury, whom he accompanied into exile in France.
After Edmund's death, Richard was ordained a priest, and in 1244 he was elected bishop of Chichester. King Henry III opposed the election and seized the diocese's revenues, so for two years Richard lived in poverty, traveling on foot through his diocese and staying in a priest's house, until the pope confirmed his election and the king gave way. As bishop he was known for his generosity to the poor, his simple life, his defense of the Church's freedom, and his care for his clergy. He died in 1253 and was canonized in 1262. The prayer attributed to him asks to know Christ more clearly, love Him more dearly, and follow Him more nearly.
Prayers to St. Richard of Chichester on Daily Catholic Prayers
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