Saint’s Life Story

His Early Life

Oswald was born of a Danish family around 925 in an unknown location, possibly in the Danelaw area of England. Some say that he was born in Denmark while others say his parents were Danish and he was actually born in England. His family did settle in England. Oswald was raised and educated by his uncle, Saint Odo, who was Archbishop of Canterbury. His uncle instilled in Oswald a strong commitment to the Christian faith.

Ordained

Early on, Oswald felt called to the priesthood. After Oswald completed his studies, he followed his vocation. In 959, Oswald was ordained in the diocese of Winchester, England.

Benedictine Monk in France

However, Oswald’s desire to deepen his spiritual and stricter ascetic life, led him to leave England. Instead, Oswald preferred to wear a humble habit and enter a Benedictine abbey in France. So, he become a Benedictine monk at the renowned abbey of Fleury-sur-Loire (today’s Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire) in France. During his time there, Oswald immersed himself in the monastic traditions and developed a profound understanding of ecclesiastical discipline. Oswald led a life marked by prayer and manual work respecting three rules: not to possess anything, not to marry, always obey the abbot of the monastery.

Oswald and the Benedictine monks cultivated the land in order to be able to harvest grains and prepare bread for themselves and for the poor. They also teach children to read and write and to make the fields bear fruit for the locals. They welcomed pilgrims on their journeys, spoke to everyone about Jesus and the Gospel, helped the needy and treated the sick with medical herbs prepared in the abbey.

In the monasteries, Oswald and the Benedictine monks also preserved the large parchment books that were meticulously copied, to spread them and hand them down to the present day: the Bible, the lives of the saints, prayers, and poems.

Returned to England

In 958, at the request of his uncle, Oswald returned to England. However, his uncle, Saint Odo, died before Oswald returned. Lacking a patron, Oswald turned to another Danish patron, Oskytel, recently named Archbishop of York.

Bishop of Worcester

Oswald was active in ecclesiastical affairs at York until Saint Dunstan obtained Oswald’s appointment to the see of Worcester, England. In 961, Oswald was consecrated as Bishop of Worcester. Oswald expelled any of the clergy in the cathedral that would not give up their wives and immediately replaced them with monks. Though it seems Oswald was heavy-handed in his reforms, he strictly refrained from violent measures, relying instead upon prayer, fasting, dialogue and fatherly admonitions. Oswald spent much of his time in visiting his diocese, preaching without intermission and reforming abuses. He also fostered the study of letters and encouraged learned men to come from abroad.

Saints Dunstan and Æthelwold

Oswald collaborated closely with two other notable saints of his time, Saint Dunstan and Saint Æthelwold. Together, they worked tirelessly to revive monastic and ecclesiastical discipline within England, which had suffered a decline in spiritual fervor. They proceeded to reorganize the clergy, eliminate abuse and “purifying the Church from secularism”. Oswald, himself, took a prominent part in the revival of monastic discipline along the precepts of the Rule of Saint Benedict.

Ramsey Abbey

Oswald’s most notable contribution was the establishment of the Abbey at Ramsey and the monastery in Winchester, both of which served as centers for the revival of monastic life. Under his guidance, these religious communities thrived, attracting disciples who sought to live closer to God through a disciplined life of prayer and service. Recognizing the importance of theological education, Oswald dedicated himself to improving the training of clergy. Oswald also reformed Winchcombe Abbey, along with the monasteries of Westbury Priory, Pershore Abbey, and Evesham Abbey.

Author

Oswald wrote several theological treatises, using his writings to uphold and propagate the orthodox Catholic faith. His writings served as invaluable resources for the clergy, equipping them with the necessary knowledge to defend the faith in times of doctrinal challenges.

Archbishop of York

In 972, Oswald was made Archbishop of York. He journeyed to Rome to receive a pallium from Pope John XIII. Using his position of great influence and spiritual authority, Oswald continued his efforts to strengthen the Church and promote the spiritual welfare of the people under his care. Throughout his episcopate, Oswald exemplified his dedication to the Catholic faith, acting as a shepherd to guide his flock towards holiness. In addition, to Archbishop of York, Oswald continued to concurrently hold be the Bishop of Worcester.

His Death

Oswald made it his daily custom during Lent to wash the feet of the poor. In fact, Reverend Alban Bulter noted that Oswald engaged in the practice all the time. “The saint to nourish in his heart the sentiments of humility and charity, had everywhere twelve poor persons at his table, whom he served, and also washed and kissed their feet.”

So, it is not a surprise that on February 29, 992, undertaking this activity of washing the feet of the 12 poor men near his monastery in Worcester, England, Oswald was yet again on his knees, saying, “Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost”, when he gently passed away. He was buried in the Church of St Mary at Worcester, England. This date became his feast day on leap years, while, in non-leap years, his feast day is celebrated on February 28.

In the United Kingdom, a person born on February 29 is referred to as a “leapling” or a “leap-year baby.” Consequently, St. Oswald is the Church’s saintly “leapling” because he was born into eternal life on that day.

Born:                   Around 925 in an unknown location

Died:                   February 29 (Feast Day – Feb 28), 992 near Worcester, England

Beatified:           Pre-Congregation

Canonized:        Pre-Congregation

Feast Day:          February 28 (non-leap years), February 29 (leap years)

Patron Saint:     Ramsey Abbey, England; Worcester, England; York, England

Source:

• • CatholicSaints.Info » Saint Oswald of Worcester
  • Oswald of Worcester – Ecumenical Encyclopedia of Saints (translated from German)
  • St. Oswald of Worcester: A ‘Leapling’ Saint for Lent| National Catholic Register
  • Butler’s Lives Of The Saints Complete Edition – St. Oswald of Worcester, Archbishop of York
  • Saint Oswald of Worcester – Saint for a Minute: Saints & Blesseds
  • St. Oswald of Worcester – Santi e Baeti (translated from Italian)
  • Oswald of Worcester – Wikipedia

Prayers

Video Link

DAILY SAINTS – February 28 – St Oswald of Worcester, Priest – YouTube Video (Carmel Preran)