Saints celebrated on the 15th of July
Prayer to the Angels and the Saints
Heavenly Father, in praising Your Angels and Saints we praise Your glory, for by honouring them we honour You, their Creator. Their splendour shows us Your greatness, which infinitely surpasses that of all creation.
In Your loving providence, You saw fit to send Your Angels to watch over us. Grant that we may always be under their protection and one day enjoy their company in heaven.
Heavenly Father, You are glorified in Your Saints, for their glory is the crowning of Your gifts. You provide an example for us by their lives on earth, You give us their friendship by our communion with them, You grant us strength and protection through their prayer for the Church, and You spur us on to victory over evil and the prize of eternal glory by this great company of witnesses.
Grant that we who aspire to take part in their joy may be filled with the Spirit that blessed their lives, so that, after sharing their faith on earth, we may also experience their peace in heaven. Amen.
ST SWITHUN [SWITHIN], BISHOP
Saint Swithunus, Bishop and Confessor, whose name is also written Swithinus and Suithunus, is one of the most brilliant figures of the English Church in the 9th century.
THE TUTOR OF ETHELWULF
There is a lack of information about his birth and his parents, but it seems that he was born in Winchester. As a youth he entered the so-called "Old monastery" and received a deep and comprehensive education which enabled him to become the tutor of the royal prince Ethelwulf. At the same time he was characterized by an unassuming, modest demeanor and childlike piety.
HE WAS ORDAINED A PRIEST
He was ordained a priest by the bishop Helmstanus (Helmsten) of Winchester. When Ethelwulf ascended the throne in 836, he availed himself of the experienced and wise man as a reliable counsel, especially in matters of conscience, and in 852 made him Bishop of Winchester.
WISDOM AND GENTLENESS
In this role, St Swithun displayed wisdom and gentleness, giving the clergy and the people an example of outstanding piety and the most conscientious fulfillment of duty. His mortification and humility, his zeal for prayer and his love for the poor were particularly praised.
IMPROVEMENT INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY
He endeavoured to improve the status of the diocese both internally and externally. He built new churches, restored those that had fallen into disrepair, travelled around the diocese, watched over the moral purity of the clergy with fearful precision, and at the same time looked after their needs like a father. It is said that he made many of his official trips on foot, and that he often chose the night time so as not to be conspicuous to anyone.
FOR HUMILITY'S SAKE, HE WANTED TO BE BURIED AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE CHURCH
Before his passing, on July 2, 862 or 863, he asked to be buried at the entrance to the church, so that those entering could still trample him, the unworthy, after death. But already in 964 the first elevation of his relics took place, followed by a second one in 1093.
His festival can be found in the oldest calendars. His stained glass image at Winchester Cathedral shows him with Pedum and book.
(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, 1858)
ST SWITHUN'S WEATHER PREDICTION
Apparently, it rained cats and dogs when St Swithun's relics were translated into the church. It is commonly thought that the weather following St Swithun's day can be predicted by rainfall on his feast day.
St Swithin’s Day if thou dost rain,
For 40 days it will remain,
St Swithin’s Day if thou be fair,
For 40 days will rain na mair.
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