LAKE JAMES
NORTH CAROLINA
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LAKE JAMES NORTH CAROLINA
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Saint Richard of Chichester, Bishop Richard and his older brother Robert were quite young when their parents died, leaving a rich estate with a guardian to manage it. The guardian allowed the estate to dwindle, and Richard worked hard to restore it. Pressure was put on Richard to marry, but he, who from earliest years had preferred books to almost anything else, turned the estate over to his brother and went to Oxford. Often hungry, cold, and not always sure of his next day’s keep, Richard managed to succeed in his studies under such teachers as Blessed Robert Grosseteste. He studied
law at Paris and Bologna, earned a doctorate, and returned to Oxford where he
was made University Chancellor. Shortly later, the Archbishop of Canterbury,
Edmund Rich, appointed him to be his own chancellor. The friendship between the
Primate and his young assistant was close and Richard became his biographer.
Conflict with King Henry III forced Archbishop Rich into exile, wher Upon returning to England, against the opposition of the king he was elected Bishop of Chichester. Henry confiscated all the diocesan revenues and even locked Richard out of the bishop’s residence. Richard was given lodging by a priest, Simon of Tarring, and functioned as a missionary bishop, walking through his diocese, visiting fishermen and farmers, holding synods with great difficulty, and working to establish order. Threatened by the Pope, King Henry finally acknowledged Richard as Bishop in 1246. For eight years, he served his diocese as preacher, confessor, teacher and counselor. In 1253, he contracted a fatal fever and died in 1253. He was canonized as a Saint in 1262. His best remembered words are: Dear Lord, of thee three things I pray: to see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, and follow thee more nearly. [based on an article in “Lesser Feasts and Fasts” – A.T.K.Z.+]
A Collect for the Feast of Saint Richard of Chichester We thank you, Lord God, for all the benefits you have given us in your Son Jesus Christ, our most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother, and for all the pains and insults he has borne for us; and we pray that, following the example of your saintly bishop Richard of Chichester, and aided by his prayers, we may see Christ more clearly, love him more dearly, and follow him more clearly, through Jesus Christ our Savior. ------------------- To learn more about St. Richard of Chichester from the College of St. Benedict at St. John's University in St. Joseph, Minnesota, click here. |
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This page last modified on Friday, April 11, 2008 09:40 PM |
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Richard nursed him in his final illness. After the Archbishop died, Richard
moved to the Dominican house at Orleans for further study. He was ordained to
the priesthood in 1243.