Feast day: October 13
Saint Edward the Confessor was born a prince in England. His father was overthrown during the Danish invasion, and Edward and his brother were sent to be killed in Denmark. The officer in charge of the transport took pity on the boys and sent them instead to Sweden.
Once in Sweden, they were raised and educated by the king of Hungary. After an unsuccessful attempt to take back the crown, Edward returned to England in 1042 and finally regained the throne. He was interested in all things religious and was a fair and worthy king. King Edward resisted invasion, helped return the king of Scotland to his throne, settled unfair taxes, was charitable to the poor, and had a great love of God.
He married to please his people, but both he and his wife remained celibate. He constructed churches, including Westminster Abbey, and was said to have had the healing power of touch. Because of his devotion to God, he was given the title “the Confessor.”
Saint Edward the Confessor was canonized in 1161.
(Image National Library of Wales, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)