St. Edward the Confessor – Patron Saint of Difficult Marriages and Separated Spouses

St. Edward the Confessor was an 11th-century king of England who is known for his piety and his role in the establishment of Westminster Abbey. He was born in 1004, the son of King Ethelred the Unready and his second wife, Emma of Normandy. After the Danish invasion of England, his family was forced into exile in Normandy, where he spent much of his youth.

In 1041, Edward returned to England and claimed the throne after the death of his half-brother, King Harthacnut. During his reign, Edward was known for his piety and his commitment to the Church. He was particularly devoted to the veneration of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, and he is said to have had a special devotion to Saint John the Apostle.

In 1050, Edward began construction on a new church in Westminster, which was to become known as Westminster Abbey. The church was designed to be a royal mausoleum for Edward and his family, and it was intended to be a symbol of his piety and devotion to the Church. The construction of the Abbey was completed after his death in 1066.

Edward was also known for his commitment to justice and fairness. He established laws and regulations to protect the rights of the poor and the weak, and he worked to maintain peace and stability throughout his kingdom. He was also a benefactor to the monasteries and the Church, he donated lands and properties for the benefit of the clergy and the poor.

He died on January 5, 1066 and was buried in Westminster Abbey. He was not canonized immediately after his death, but he was venerated as a saint by the people of England. His canonization process started in the 12th century, and in 1161 he was officially canonized by Pope Alexander III, he is considered a patron saint of England.

His reign as king was a peaceful and prosperous one, and his reputation for piety and devotion to the Church has continued to inspire people throughout history. He is also remembered for his contributions to the construction of Westminster Abbey and for his role in the establishment of the Church in England.

The Life of St. Edward the Confessor

At an early age, St. Edward made a vow of celibacy. As the King of England this vow posed challenges to the King and Queen as they were unable to produce an heir so as to maintain the vow to God. Queen Edith accepted Saint Edwards vow of celibacy freely out of her own piety. The couple did not view this bow as a burden but rather as a means of dedicate their love to emulate that of Joseph and Mary and to serve the Church through their just rule.

Growing Up as an Exiled Orphan

Edward was the son of Ethelred II, sometimes called Ethelred the Unready, last of the Anglo-Saxon kings of England. His mother was Emma, daughter of Richard, Duke of Normandy. Thus, Edward was half Anglo-Saxon and half Norman-French. By training and environment he was more Norman than Anglo-Saxon.

In 1013, the invading Danes made themselves masters of England and Ethelred fled across the English Channel with his family. Within a short time, he returned to England to try to regain the throne. Ten-year-old Edward remained at the court of his uncle, the Duke of Normandy. In 1016, Ethelred died, and Canute, the Dane, became undisputed King of England. A short time later Edward’s mother, Emma, married Canute and once more became England’s Queen.

Thus, Edward grew up in exile and virtually an orphan. Because he was the son of the last legitimate king, Canute did not want him in England. He was not allowed to visit his native country, even the long years of exile gave Edward an opportunity to secure a good education, to observe life at the Norman court, and to advance to see his own mother.

A Deep Religious Foundation

In his spiritual life, Saint Edward prayed much, assisted at Mass frequently, and enjoyed conversations with religious minded people. Much of what he saw at the Norman court displeased him, but he admired the efficiency and wisdom with which the Normans ruled. Edwards’ principal recreations during these years were hawking and hunting.

King Canute died in 1035 and his two sons, one of whom was Edward’s half-brother, fought over the throne. The two sons bet died and neither left an heir. In 1042, therefore, Edward was called to the throne of England. His saintly character was well known and he was welcomed by the Danes as well as by the Anglo-Saxons. His coronation took place at Easter the following year.

A Just King Who Rules in Accordance with God’s Laws 

Edward was now forty years old. He was physically strong and robust, had a ruddy face, and his hair and beard were prematurely white. He was a quiet man of distinguished appearance, and he was even more distinguished for his humility and prudence.

Edward ruled wisely and well. He knew that all authority comes from God and must be exercised in accordance with the laws of God. He recognized the fact that government exists not for the glory of the ruler but for the good of the people. “Good King Edward’s laws” were considered so just and fair that later generations of Englishmen clamored for them when they felt they were being oppressed.

Edward repealed the heavy tax that the people had been paying into the king’s treasury, and said he would live on the income from his estates. From his private income he also supported numerous charities. His reign of twenty-three years was a peaceful one. He undertook no wars except to repel an invasion by the Welsh and to assist the legitimate King of Scotland against the usurper Macbeth.

Thirty of Edward’s first forty years had been spent in Normandy, and he had come to admire the Norman way of doing things. He brought in a number of Normans and appointed them to high positions. He did this only because he wished to give the English the best possible government, not because he wished to impose foreign rule upon the country. Some people resented this move, however.

St. Edward Patron Saint of Difficult Marriages

Earl Godwin, a powerful noble, became a leader and spokesman of the “England for the English” movement, and he caused Edward much trouble. Despite this opposition, or perhaps because of it, Edward married the earl’s daughter, Edith. Edward had early in life made a vow of celibacy. He made this known to Edith, and she accepted the situation. The two agreed to pattern their wedded life after that of the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph. Edward had made still another promise to God.

While in Normandy, he had made a vow to go on a pilgrimage to St. Peter’s in Rome if the family misfortunes came to an end. After he ascended to the throne he made this promise known to the council of nobles. The nobles begged him not to go. They said that the country needed him. The king appealed to the pope who agreed to cancel the vow provided that the money collected for the pilgrimage be given to the poor and provided that the king restore the Church of St. Peter in London.

Establishing Westminster Abbey, Patron Saint of England

Edward not only fulfilled these conditions but he went farther; near the church he erected an abbey for the Benedictine monks. This was the beginning of the famous Westminster Abbey. Westminster Abbey was to be dedicated on the Feast of the Holy Innocents, December 28, 1065. King Edward was ill on that day, so the queen represented him at the ceremonies. He died January 5, 1066. The next day he was buried in the newly dedicated Westminster Abbey.

The year in which Edward died, 1066, is a well-remembered date in history. It is the year that Duke William of Normandy defeated the Anglo-Saxons in the Battle of Hastings and made himself King of England. William said that Edward had named him as his successor, and this is probably true. Edward had no children and William was his cousin.

Nevertheless, Edward would probably have deplored the way in which William became king. He had said that no kingdom in this world was worth any man’s life. Fifty-six years after his death, Edward’s body was found to be incorrupt and the limbs still flexible. Six blind men who prayed at his tomb had their sight restored immediately. These miracles and many others, all duly authenticated, led to the canonization of Edward by Pope Alexander III, in 1161.

The Title of Confessor

The title of Confessor was conferred upon him in the Bull of Canonization. This title meant that he had given heroic testimony to the Christian faith Two years later, on October 13, 1163, the saint’s body was trans referred to a shrine in the Abbey. The ceremonies were conducted by Thomas à Becket, who would himself become a famous saint in the presence of King Henry II. St. Edward’s tomb is still pointed out to everyone who visits Westminster Abbey. It is one of the few shrines that was not profaned during the Protestant Revolt. The day that St. Edward’s remains were moved to their present resting place, October 13, is observed as his feast.

 

ANOTHER SAINT OF THE SAME NAME:

St. Edward the Martyr, died 878. Also a King of England. Feast Day: March 18.

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Popular St. Edward the Confessor Medal and St. Edward the Confessor Rosary

Prayers to St. Edward the Confessor

Prayer to St. Edward the Confessor

O God, who for the salvation of your people, raised up Saint Edward the Confessor to be a faithful king and a zealous preacher of the Gospel: grant that we, who celebrate his heavenly birthday, may be renewed in faith and devotion, and be made one in the spirit of love and unity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Prayer for the Intercession of St. Edward the Confessor

Gracious and holy Saint Edward the Confessor, in your life you were a faithful servant of God and a model of Christian charity and devotion. Through your intercession, grant me a spirit of love and compassion for all, especially for those in need. Help me to be a faithful witness to the Gospel in all that I do, and may I always seek to serve God with a pure heart and humble spirit. Amen.

Prayer of Gratitude to St. Edward the Confessor

Dear St. Edward the Confessor, I give thanks to God for your life and the example of faith and devotion that you have left us. Through your intercession, I pray that I may be granted the grace to live a life of selfless love and service to others, just as you did. May I always seek to deepen my relationship with God and to follow in your footsteps, living a life of faith and love, now and forever. Amen.

St. Edward the Confessor: The Patron Saint of Kings and Difficult Marriages

The Life and Legacy of St. Edward the Confessor

St. Edward the Confessor was the King of England from 1042 to 1066. He was born in 1003 in Islip, England and was known from a young age for his piety and devotion to God. He spent much of his life in exile, fleeing from the political turmoil of the time, and he lived for many years in Normandy before returning to England to reclaim his throne.

As king, Edward was known for his great devotion to God, his love for the poor, and his generosity to the church. He was also known for his just rule and his efforts to bring peace to a divided kingdom. Despite his many accomplishments and good works, Edward’s reign was marked by political turmoil, and he was constantly challenged by rival factions vying for power.

Why is St. Edward the Confessor the patron saint of kings and difficult marriages?

St. Edward the Confessor is the patron saint of kings because of his just rule and his devotion to God. Throughout his life, Edward was known for his unwavering commitment to justice and righteousness, and he worked tirelessly to bring peace to a divided kingdom. He was also known for his deep devotion to God and his love for the poor, and he used his power and influence as king to promote the cause of the church.

In addition to being the patron saint of kings, St. Edward the Confessor is also the patron saint of difficult marriages. This is because of his own troubled marriage to Queen Edith, who was widely unpopular with the people of England. Despite the difficulties and challenges he faced in his own marriage, Edward remained steadfast in his commitment to God and his love for his wife, and he is remembered as a model of faith and devotion in the face of adversity.

Today, St. Edward the Confessor is remembered and revered as a model of faith, devotion, and just rule, and his legacy continues to inspire and encourage people around the world who are called to live out their faith in the face of adversity.

Reflection on the feast day of St. Edward the Confessor

The feast day of St. Edward the Confessor is October 13th.

St. Edward the Confessor, also known as King Edward, was a powerful leader who ruled England during the 11th century. He is known for his strong faith and commitment to God, as well as his kindness and generosity towards his people.

One of the most notable aspects of St. Edward’s life was his deep devotion to God. He spent much of his time in prayer and in the service of the Church, and was known for his humility and selflessness. This devotion to God is a powerful example for all of us to follow, reminding us that true leadership is not about power or wealth, but about serving others and putting God at the center of our lives.

Another important aspect of St. Edward’s life was his kindness and generosity towards others. He was known for his charity towards the poor and the oppressed, and for his willingness to help those in need. This is a powerful reminder for us to always be mindful of the needs of others, and to do what we can to help those less fortunate than ourselves.

On this feast day of St. Edward the Confessor, let us take inspiration from his example and strive to live lives of deep faith, selflessness, and compassion. May we always put God at the center of our lives and strive to serve others with kindness and generosity. Through the intercession of St. Edward, may we be granted the grace to live lives that are truly worthy of the name of Christian.

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Also check out our handmade St. Edward the Confessor Medal and St. Edward the Confessor Rosary and St. Edward the Confessor Rosary Bracelet .