St Wilfrid’s Debt
The Blessed Virgin Mary adds four years to the life of Bishop Wilfrid, and an angel suggests a suitable thank-you.
704
The Blessed Virgin Mary adds four years to the life of Bishop Wilfrid, and an angel suggests a suitable thank-you.
704
Wilfrid, bishop of Hexham, visited Rome in 703-704, to resolve an ongoing dispute with the King of Northumbria. On his way back, he fell ill.
WHEN Wilfrid reached Meaux, he was so weak that his friends spent every moment in heartfelt prayer as his bedside. The bishop was breathing still, but unconscious, and he had taken no food or water for four days.
Suddenly, in the midst of their chants and tears he opened his eyes and swung himself a little unsteadily onto his feet. “Where” he inquired “is Acca?” Wilfrid’s chaplain was found at once, and Wilfrid asked the others to give them a moment’s privacy.
Once the door was closed, Wilfrid told Acca that the Archangel Michael had appeared to him.
The angel promised to return in four years’ time, but because of the prayers of the Virgin Mary, for now Wilfrid would have both health and peace. Acca immediately thought of Hezekiah, who in sickness prayed to God and was granted another fifteen years of life.*
Days later Wilfrid landed in Kent, resolved to take the angel’s parting advice and build a church in Mary’s honour.
See Isaiah 38:1-7.
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Why were Wilfrid’s friends surprised when he called for his chaplain, Acca?
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Wilfrid saw an angel. Wilfrid told Acca. Wilfrid and Acca were alone.