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the recycled bishop Chad should be the patron saint of any modern bishop whose consecration is questioned by another bishop. Chad was consecrated a bishop, then deposed – and then re-consecrated! It all began about the middle of the 7th century, when Oswiu, King of Northumbria, made Chad the bishop of the Northumbrian see. But...

godly king of Poland Casimir is a good patron saint for anyone whose father drives them crazy. For Casimir did not let an unhappy background stop him from becoming the person he wanted to be. Yet Casimir’s father, the King of Poland back in 1458, was no picnic as a dad. For if you think...

friend of St Jerome       Eusebius is the saint for you if you believe in the Bible, and also in providing hospitality. He was born of a good family in Cremona, Italy, in the fourth century, and felt called to become a monk. As Eusebius was ascetic by nature, he sought out St Jerome in Rome,...

joyful martyrs of Africa This story could come straight out of modern Africa. Perpetua was a young married woman of 22 who had recently become a Christian. But the authorities had forbidden any new conversions, and soon she and some other catechumens were arrested and sentenced to death. This was not under Islamic State, nor...

bringing love with cigarettes and the Bible Here’s a ‘saint’ that the Church of England remembers from the 1st World War – the Revd Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy MC, or ‘Woodbine Willie’, as everyone knew this popular, much-loved army chaplain on the Western Front. Studdert Kennedy (27th June 1883 – 8th March 1929) had been born...

apostle to East Anglia East Anglia is blessed with a rich Christian heritage. Just two examples: at more than 650, Norfolk has the greatest concentration of ancient churches in the world, and at 500, Suffolk has the second greatest density of medieval churches. And that is not to mention all the churches in Cambridgeshire, Essex, Bedfordshire and...

the youngster who found God A number of years ago the hit film Slumdog Millionaire touched millions of people with its story of a youngster triumphing against all the odds. Dominic Savio did the same thing. In fact, he is a good patron ‘child saint’ for children today who struggle to get anywhere in life....

beloved apostle to Ireland St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. If you’ve ever been in New York on St Patrick’s Day, you’d think he was the patron saint of New York as well… the flamboyant parade is full of American/Irish razzmatazz. It’s all a far cry from the hard life of this 5th...

A good name ‘Anxiety’ comes top The solution for middle-aged depression? Shy about reading out loud? Beware those innocent family board games! Easy tip to help your children sleep better Bored with retirement? Take your holiday at home – but beware! Smile as you eat your broccoli ** Editor:  David Pickup considers your options if...

gracious descendant of King David Many people know that Joseph was the father of the most famous man who ever lived, but beyond that, we know very little about him. The Gospels name him as the ‘father’ of Jesus, while also asserting that the child was born of a virgin. Even if he wasn’t what...

Observing Lent From the Vicar Look at you Reflected Faith Series: the Ashing Service Christian Basics No 3: Why the Cross? When the angel came to Mary The story of the yellow ribbons ** Editor:  Canon Paul Hardingham considers the spiritual disciplines Observing Lent This month sees the start of Lent, the 40-day season of...

patron saint of fathers and holy death Why should St Joseph’s day be in March? Surely, he belongs to Advent and Christmas, at Mary’s side in millions of nativity scenes around the world. In any case, as the foster-father of Christ and husband of Mary, Joseph played a major part in the story of the...