Saint Edward the Confessor

Edward was born around 1003 at Islip, England, son of King Ethelred II and Emma of Normandy. When the Danes conquered England, he spent about twenty-five years in exile in Normandy, where he grew in piety. In 1042 he was called back and crowned King of England.

His reign was largely peaceful. Edward was known for his kindness to the poor, his love of prayer and his fairness. He married Edith, daughter of the powerful Earl Godwin. Having vowed to make a pilgrimage to Rome, he was released from the vow by the pope on condition that he build a monastery in honor of Saint Peter, and so he rebuilt Westminster Abbey, consecrated on December 28, 1065. He died a few days later, on January 5, 1066. Pope Alexander III canonized him in 1161, and his relics were solemnly moved to a new shrine on October 13, 1163, the date of his feast.

Edward's tomb is the only medieval saint's shrine in England that still holds the saint's body. Each year around October 13, Westminster Abbey celebrates the Edwardtide festival, and pilgrims pray at his shrine behind the high altar.

He was for centuries the patron saint of England, and English Catholics still keep his feast.