St Oswald of Worcester

Bishop. 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 became 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.

Oswald 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 twelfth man and giving a blessing.

The news of Oswald's death brought an outpouring of grief throughout the city. Almost immediately after his death, miracles were reported at his funeral and at his tomb. His remains were translated to a different burial spot in the cathedral ten years after his death. His feast day is usually celebrated on 28th February, but in a Leap Year can be celebrated on 29 February.

Two manuscripts - a psalter (Harley MS 2904 in the British Library) and a pontifical (MS 100, part 2, at Sidney Sussex College of Cambridge University), probably belonged to Oswald and would have been used in his daily devotions.