Saint of the Day: St. Egwin of Worcester

Benedictine abbot (d. 717)

His life

+ Egwin was born in England to a family of minor kings. Entrusted to the church as a young man, he later became a Benedictine monk.

+ In 692, Egwin was named bishop of Worcester. As bishop, he worked for reform, but he was also criticized for being too severe with his priests. In response to these charges, he chose to make a penitential pilgrimage to Rome.

+ After his return to Worcester, he established the Benedictine monastery of Evesham.

+ Saint Egwin resigned as bishop in 711 and died on December 30, 717.

For prayer and reflection

When a profound silence covered all things
and night was in the middle of its course,
your all-powerful Word, O Lord,
bounded from heaven's royal throne.—Entrance Antiphon for the Mass of December 30

Prayer

Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that the newness of the Nativity in the flesh
of your Only Begotten Son may set us free,
for ancient servitude holds us bound
beneath the yoke of sin.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Collect for the Mass of December 30)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.