The last acts in the life of today’s
saint make for an amazing story. In
truth, they merely underscore the
holiness he exhibited throughout his
life.
Born into a military family in
10th-century England, Oswald was a
nephew of the archbishop of Canterbury,
who raised him and played a crucial role
in his early education. Oswald continued
his studies abroad in France, where he
was ordained a Benedictine monk.
Following his appointment as bishop
of Worcester, and later as archbishop of
York, he founded monasteries and
introduced many reforms. He
supported—and improved—scholarship at
the abbeys he established, inviting
leading thinkers in such fields as
mathematics and astronomy to share their
learnings.
He was widely known for his sanctity,
especially his love for the poor. The
final winter of his life was spent at
the cathedral in Worcester that he so
loved. At the start of Lent in February
of the year 992, he resumed his usual
practice of washing the feet of 12 poor
men each day. On Leap Year Day, February
29, he died after kissing the feet of
the 12th man and giving a blessing.
The news of Oswald’s death brought an
outpouring of grief throughout the city.
