St. Willibrord was born in Northumbria around 658. As a young man he traveled to Ireland where he spent twelve formative years under the instruction of St. Egbert and St. Wigbert. Under their wisdom and guidance he was given a rich education, specifically in theology and evangelization, which was very advantageous to his later missions. At the end of the seventh century, Willibrord set out with twelve companions to evangelize the Frisians in what is now the Netherlands. Soon after this mission, Willibrord journeyed to Rome to ask for the pope’s official approval of his mission. It was granted in 695, and Pope Sergius I consecrated him archbishop to the Frisians. In 698, Willibrord founded the monastery of Echternach (in present-day Luxembourg). This became the center of his missionary operations.
He did not stop at Frisnia, however, and continued to do mission work, spreading the Gospel through the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany. He often faced violent pagan oppositions on these missions, but that did not deter him. These missions had great success, and many were helped and converted by him. Unfortunately, in 714, a new king of Frisia took power, King Radbod. He drove out Christian missionaries, including Willibrord’s missions, and many of his efforts were temporarily undone. After Radbod’s death in 719, Willibrord resumed his work with renewed vigor, assisted by St. Boniface, who regarded him as a mentor. He died at Echternach in 739 and is known as the Apostle of the Netherlands.
Practical Lessons
- Be Brave: St. Willibrord faced mortal danger on his missions to the Netherlands, but he never let that deter him. We should imitate his bravery and trust that Our Lord will always take care of His faithful.
- Spread the Gospel: Willibrord deeply understood our task as Christians to evangelize the nations. We should try in our own lives to bring the Gospel to as many people as possible, no matter the consequences.
Prayer
O, St. Willibrord, Apostle of the Netherlands, pray for us that we may be brave in our faith like you and never hesitate to speak the truth in love to all we meet, but especially those closest to us. Amen.
Other Saints We Remember Today
- Saints Carina, Melasippus, and Antony (360), Martyrs
- St. Engelbert (1225), Archbishop, Martyr
