A Northumbrian, Wilfrid was born to Christian parents in the year 634, and was afforded an excellent education which included studies at Lindisfarne, Canterbury and in Rome itself. Returning to Northumbria in about 660, he became Abbot at Ripon. In 664, at the Synod of Whitby, Wilfrid defended the Roman method of calculating the date of Easter, and was a strong advocate of reigning in those Celtic influences upon the Church, and of bringing it into greater conformity with Rome.
His obvious intelligence, deep spirituality, and ability as a defender of the faith gained the attention of many, and he eventually was appointed to be Bishop of Northumbria, which included York. St. Wilfrid is credited with bringing Benedictine spirituality into English monastic life, and even though he ran afoul of ecclesiastical and civic authorities occasionally, he was known as a great pastor, an admirable administrator, and an exemplary bishop until his death in 710. Soon after his death he was venerated as a saint, and his feast day is October 12th.
O God, by whose grace thy servant St. Wilfrid, enkindled with the fire of thy love, became a burning and a shining light in thy Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and may ever walk before thee as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
