St. Willibrord

St. Willibrord was born in Northumbria, England, around 658. He studied at Ripon monastery under St. Wilfrid and spent twelve years studying in Ireland at the abbey of Rathmelsigi. After receiving ordination and extensive training in the field of the missions, he set out about 690 with a dozen companions for Frisia, or Friesland. In 693, he went to Rome to seek papal approval for his labors, and the pontiff consecrated him archbishop to the Frisians in 696, with his see at Utrecht. Willibrord founded the monastery of Echternach, Luxembourg, to serve as a center of missionary endeavors, and extended the efforts of missionaries into Denmark and Upper Friesland. He is called the Apostle of the Frisians.

Willibrord died on at Echternach on November 7, 739.  His Feast Day is November 7.