St. Richard of Chichester - April 3rd
St. Richard was born in England. He and his brother were left orphans when Richard was very young. His brother owned some farms and Richard gave up his studies to help him save them from going to ruin. He did so well that his grateful brother wanted to give the farms to him, but Richard did not accept them. He also refused to marry, because he wanted to study. He went to Oxford University, and when he was thirty-eight, he was appointed chancellor of that University. Later, St. Edmund, who was Archbishop of Canterbury, made him Chancellor of his diocese. When St. Edmund died, St. Richard went to the monastery of the Dominican Friars in France and was ordained a priest.
He was consecrated Bishop of Chichester, England, and that is why he is called Richard of Chichester. The King at this time was not very good. Because he wanted someone else to be bishop of Chichester, he made St. Richard suffer much. Yet the good Saint always helped those who offended him. He must have often remembered the words of Jesus: “Love your enemy.”
As bishop, St. Richard did his duties well. He was always charitable and kind to sinners who were sorry. However, when he had to be stern, he was. He was not afraid of what might happen to him.
When St. Richard became ill, he foretold his death, because God had let him know the exact place and time when he would die. Many miracles took place at the Saint’s grave.
As a farmer, as a chancellor, as a priest and bishop, St. Richard did everything well. We shall try our very best to do our work at home and at school as well as we can, for the love of Jesus.
