Saint Chad of Lichfield

Feast March 2

Chad was one of four Anglo brothers all of whom became priests, and two of whom, including St. Chad and his brother St. Cedd, became bishops.

Chad was a man of modest character who helped his brother St. Cedd found a monastery in Lastingham, Yorkshire. At his brother’s death in 664 he succeeded him as abbot.

Shortly afterwards, St. Wilfrid went to Gaul to be consecrated bishop of York but he remained so long that King Oswin had Chad consecrated bishop for that office.

Following the example of the Apostles, Chad visited his diocese on foot, and devoted himself to ecclesiastical truth, purity of doctrine and the practice of humility, self-denial and study.

At the arrival of St. Theodore, the newly elected Archbishop of Canterbury, Chad was asked to give up the diocese of York to St. Wilfrid. Furthermore, the Archbishop found that Chad’s episcopal consecration lacked legitimizing details. To which Chad promptly replied:

"If you consider I have not been properly consecrated, I willingly resign this charge of which I never thought myself worthy...and only took up under obedience."

Deeply impressed with Chad’s humility and holiness, the Archbishop of Canterbury supplied whatever was defective in his consecration and appointed him Bishop of Mercia which see was later moved to Lichfield. The archbishop further forbade the aging bishop to continue his visitations on foot, and himself lifted him onto his horse.

Although St. Chad only ruled in his diocese for two and a half years, his virtues left so deep an impression in the country that thirty-one churches were dedicated to his honor.

*Header Image: Parish of Saint Chad of Lichfield