July 2, July 15 (translation of relics) Saint Swithun (Swithin, Svithin) Bishop of Winchester, Miracle-worker.
July 2, July 15 (translation of relics) Saint Swithun (Swithin, Svithin) Bishop of Winchester, Miracle-worker.
c 800-863
Patronage:
the weather
against drought
Stavenger, England
Winchester, England
Winchester Cathedral and Diocese
Southwark
Hampshire
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He was born in the kingdom of Wessex and educated in its capital, Winchester. He was famous for charitable gifts and building churches. Very little is known for certain about the life of Winchester Cathedral’s first Patron Saint. Some biographies of Swithun state that he was once Prior of Winchester. We do know that he was one of the chief advisors of Egbert, King of the West Saxons and was responsible for the education of Egbert’s son, Ethelwulf. Egbert’s influence procured the post of Bishop of Winchester, which he took up in 852.
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Only one miracle is attributed to Swithin while he was alive. An old lady’s eggs had been smashed by workmen building a church. Swithin picked the broken eggs up and, it is said, they miraculously became whole again.
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When Swithun’s health failed in 862 and he lay near death, asked that his body be buried outside his Cathedral, rather than within it, as was customary. He wanted passers-by to walk upon his grave and raindrops from the eaves of the Cathedral to fall upon his resting place. Although his wishes were granted, his grave did not long lie undisturbed. In 931 Bishop Ethelwulf had Swithun disinterred and reburied within the walls of the new Church.
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Shortly after, miracles were reported at Swithun’s tomb, which became a popular attraction for pilgrims. So clamorous were the voices reporting these miracles that Swithun’s cult was recognised, which further added to the allure of his shrine. Swithin’s feast day is celebrated in England on 15 July which is the date of the removal of his remains, not the usual day of his entry into life.
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The translation of St Swithun’s relics was accompanied by ferocious and violent rain storms that lasted 40 days and 40 nights and are said to indicate the saint’s displeasure at being moved. This is the origin of the legend. that if it rains on Saint Swithin’s feast day, the rain will continue for 40 more days.
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His body was probably later split between a number of smaller shrines. His head was certainly detached and, in the Middle Ages, taken to Canterbury Cathedral. Peterborough Abbey has an arm. Yet, still his bones could not rest, for on 15 July 1093 his remains were once more dug up and reburied with great ceremony within the new Cathedral built by Bishop Walkelin. There they remained until the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1538, when the shrine was destroyed by Henry VIII’s men. A modern representation of it now stands on the site.
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Eternal Father, I wish to honor St. Swithun, and I give Thee thanks for all the graces Thou hast bestowed upon him. I ask Thee to please increase grace in my soul through the merits of this saint, and I commit the end of my life to him by this special prayer, so that by virtue of Thy goodness and promise, St. Swithun might be my advocate and provide whatever is needed at that hour. Amen.