Archbishop WillibrordSaint Willibrord was born in 658 and died in 739. Sadly, none of his correspondence survives so I can't give you a quotation from his own pen. I can, however, tell you than he was a missionary to what is now the Netherlands and that he was known for his dedication and perseverence. He represents the Christian connection between England and Holland.
Here is the collect for today:
O Lord our God, who call whom you will and send them where you choose: We thank you for sending your servant Willibrord to be an apostle to the Low Countries, to turn them from the worship of idols to serve you, the living God; and we entreat you to preserve us from the temptation to exchange the perfect freedom of your service for servitude to false gods and to idols of our own devising; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
According to an article about him at Answers.com, Willibrord's biographer "Alcuin described his apostolate as based on energetic preaching and ministry, informed by prayer and sacred reading; Willibrord was always venerable, gracious, and full of joy."
So glad you gave some info as I'd never heard of him before. Thanks, Ellie.
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