St. Richard of Chichester

St. Richard of Chichester was born around 1197 at Wych in Worcestershire, England, and died on 3 April 1253. Having restored his family's ruined fortunes by his own labor before giving himself to study, he became a distinguished scholar and chancellor of the University of Oxford, and then chancellor to St. Edmund of Abingdon, Archbishop of Canterbury, whom he served and imitated in holiness.

Ordained a priest and later named bishop of Chichester, he had to struggle for his rights against King Henry III, who had opposed his appointment and seized the goods of the see, bearing this poverty and hardship with patience while continuing to govern his diocese as a devoted shepherd, generous to the poor, strict with himself, and diligent in preaching and visiting his people. He is fondly remembered as the author of a beloved prayer asking to know Christ more clearly, love him more dearly, and follow him more nearly, day by day. Canonized in 1262, he is commemorated on 3 April.