Saints celebrated on the 8th of July
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SAINT GRIMBALD, ABBOT
(Native of St Omer, [France]) Saint Grimbald was a monk at St Bertin’s, and with his abbot entertained King Alfred in that abbey when that prince was going to Rome.
This king, afterwards, by the advice of Eldred archbishop of Canterbury, sent messengers to St Bertin’s to invite Grimbald over to England, where he arrived, Hugh being twelfth abbot of that monastery, in the year 885.
Asserius, a monk of Menevia or St David’s, whom King Alfred honoured with his particular esteem, and who was afterwards bishop of Shireburn, was one of these messengers.
PROFESSOR OF DIVINITY AT OXFORD
The Oxonian writers tell us that Grimbald was appointed first professor of divinity at Oxford, when he is said to have founded that university; and that Asserius, John Erigena, and Saint Neot taught there at the same time.
THE ANCIENT STRUCTURE IS STANDING TO THIS DAY
The learned Mr Hearne says not only that Grimbald built St Peter’s church in the East, but also that the eastern vault of his ancient structure is standing to this day, of which he gives a plan.
Upon the death of Eldred archbishop of Canterbury, King Alfred pressed Grimbald to accept that dignity; but was not able to extort his consent, and was obliged to allow him to retire to the church of Winchester.
HE APPOINTED SAINT GRIMBALD ABBOT
King Alfred’s son and successor Edward, in compliance with his father’s will, built the new Minster close to the old, in which he placed secular canons, says Tanner, and appointed Saint Grimbald abbot over them; this title being then given to a superior of secular or regular priests.
About sixty years after, Bishop Ethelwolph brought in monks in place of those secular canons. King Henry I removed this monastery of New Minster out of the walls of the city to the place called Hide, which still continued sometimes to be called St Grimbald’s monastery.
SAINT GRIMBALD'S MONASTERY
The body of the great King Alfred was removed by his son from the Old Minster, and that of his queen, Alswithe, from the nunnery of Nunnaminster, and deposited together in the New Minster, afterwards in Hide Monastery.
Nunnaminster was founded by King Alfred, or rather by his queen, Alswithe. Saint Edburge, a daughter of King Edward, was a nun, and, according to Leland, abbess there.
A HAPPY DEATH
Saint Grimbald in his last sickness, though extremely feeble, gathered strength when the sacred viaticum was brought, rose out of bed, and received it prostrate on the ground. After this he desired to be left alone for three days, which he spent in close union of his heart with God. On the fourth day the community was called into his chamber, and amidst their prayers the saint calmly breathed forth his happy soul on July 8, in the year 903, of his age eighty-three.
A SILVER SHRINE
His body was reposed in this church, and honoured amongst its most precious relics. It was taken up by Saint Elphegus, and exposed in a silver shrine.
Source: Fr Butler's Lives of the Saints - 📷 An illustration from the Grimbald Gospels in the British Library, which are named after him
PRAYER:
Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Grimbald may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. 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.
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