OUR PATRON SAINT
SAINT EDMUND of ABINGDON
Nov. 20, 1175 --Nov. 16, 1242

St. Edmund, born Edmund Rich, was a priest in England in the early Middle Ages. He was educated at the Abbey in Oxford, studied Mathematics at the University in Paris, and taught Philosophy and Mathematics at the University from 1200-1205. He completed his Doctorate in Divinity at Oxford University and taught Theology at Oxford from 1210-1222.

In 1222 he accepted a canonry and became treasurer at Salisbury Cathedral. His popularity as a preacher continued to increase, and in 1227, Pope Innocent III asked St. Edmund to preach the Sixth Crusade throughout England.

In 1233, Pope Gregory IX appointed St. Edmund Archbishop of Canterbury. As Archbishop, he instituted reforms in courts and monasteries and among the clergy. When Edmund disputed with Henry III, King of England, over the king's attempt to take possession of church revenues, the King worked through the papal legate to nullify the power of the archbishop.

He retired in 1240 and lived as a simple monk at the Cistercian Abbey of Pontigny, in Champagne, France. He passed away on November 16, 1242.

Among Edmund's many writings, the most well known are (1) his 'Constitutions' which explained the reasons for his reforms and (2) 'Speculum Ecclesiae' a treatise on the art of contemplation.

Edmund was canonized a saint in 1247. St. Edmund's most famous quote was:

Sing to the Lord wisely.
What a man repeats by his mouth,
then let him feel in his soul.