51. SAINT EDWOLD, HERMIT OF CERNE

Our holy Father Edwold was the brother of Martyr-King Edmund of East Anglia. When St. Edmund was killed by the pagans in 869, the people asked Edwold to take his place on the throne. However, Edwold secretly longed to be a hermit, and refused.

After much fervent prayer it was revealed to him that he must look for a place called «Golden Fountain». There he would find rest. But it was not revealed to him where this place was.

Having given his lands to the Church, and everything else he owned to the poor, the saint set out to look for «Golden Fountain» through many lands. But he was not able to find it. Eventually he returned to England, and there, at what is now Cerne Abbas in Dorset, he found a shepherd boy who told him that there was a fountain nearby called «golden». Having arrived at the spot, which was about four miles from the future monastery of Cerne, he placed his staff on the summit of the steep hill. Immediately it sprouted branches and green leaves. An ash tree marked the spot for centuries. Then he built a humble, confined cell where he lived for many years in fasts, vigils, prayers, tears and struggles against demons.

During this time, the saint had as his servant and the only person who knew of his life there, that same shepherd who had pointed out the Golden Fountain to him. Three times a week he would bring him some barley bread and sometimes a little milk. Each time he would receive a golden denarius as the reward of his labours. But he was warned not to betray his presence to anyone. «The day on which you betray me,» he said, «will be the last on which you will receive this gift».

Much time passed, and the shepherd told some men where the man of God was. The next day he received his coin together with the prophecy: «Accept this payment today for the last time: as I told you before, since you have betrayed me, this is the last time.» The shepherd departed in confusion. The following day, August 29, he came back in desperation – but received no reply. For the saint had passed away. Seeing this, the shepherd raised a great cry and called some men who were nearby. A priest arrived and buried the man of God in his cell.

Many miracles were wrought through the intercession of St. Edwold after his repose. A lame man who washed in the fountain and prayed there was healed. A woman blind from birth who washed there was also healed and received her sight. Many blind, deaf, dumb and lame people, and people suffering from various diseases, received healing in a similar manner. And a column of light was often seen extending from the tomb of the man of God into the heavens, illuminating the whole area.

Many years later, therefore, it was suggested by St. Dunstan that the relics of St. Edwold should be raised from the earth under the supervision of Bishop Elfmar and conveyed to the Episcopal see of Sherborne. But they could not be moved from their place! Then the bishop and the people prostrated themselves and prayed earnestly. One of those present was Alderman Elfma. He suggested that, if the saint thought fit, his bones should be conveyed to Cerne. After they had prayed to God about this, it was as if the coffin itself wished to be transported. So the body of St. Edwold was transported to Cerne on August 12, and placed in the church of the Most Holy Mother of God, Mary. Many miracles were wrought there, and Elfmar founded a monastery there in 987 dedicated to St. Peter, endowing it with many possessions.

In the time of King Canute in the early eleventh century, the Danes completely devastated the shrine of St. Edwold. But as they were doing this they were punished in a fitting manner. Four of them were struck blind, and the others went made or suffered other punishments.

St. Edwold is commemorated on August 29 and August 12.

Holy Father Edwold, pray to God for us!

(Sources: C. Horstman (ed.), Nova Legenda Angliae, Oxford, 1901, vol. 1, pp. 362–364; William of Malmesbury, Gesta Pontificum Anglorum; David Farmer, The Oxford Dictionary of Saints, Oxford: The Clarendon Press, 1978, pp. 126–127;

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/england/cerne-abbas-augustines-well.htm)