Saint Rumwold of Buckingham

Biography

Saint Rumwold of Buckingham, also known as Rumwold of Brackley, Rumbald of..., Rumbold of..., and Rumwald of..., was born in 662 in King Sutton, Northants, England. He was the son of Saint Cyneburga, a Christian queen, and King Alchfrid (Aldfrith) of Northumbria, who was a pagan. Rumwold's maternal grandfather was Penda, the king of Mercia. Despite living for only three days, Rumwold made a lasting impact through his profound faith and remarkable displays of spiritual wisdom. Throughout his short life, he repeatedly proclaimed, "I am a Christian," demonstrating his unwavering devotion to the Christian faith. He requested to receive Baptism, which Bishop Wilderin promptly administered to him. Rumwold's fervent desire to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion was also fulfilled during this short period. Following his Baptism, Rumwold astonishingly delivered a confession of faith in the Holy Trinity. He preached about the Trinity, citing Scripture and even reciting the Athanasian Creed as a testament to his absolute belief. This exceptional performance showcased his deep understanding of theological concepts at such a young age. Remarkably, Saint Rumwold also predicted his impending death during this brief period of life. He outlined his desired burial arrangements, emphasizing his acceptance of his mortality and readiness to face eternity. One notable episode involving Saint Rumwold occurred with Sir Alured, who was admonished by the saint for swearing on his wedding day in 1282. Stricken with remorse, Alured amended his language. However, at a royal feast, Sir Alured experienced a toothache after consuming ice cream, which caused him to involuntarily curse with fervor. To everyone's surprise, Rumwold suddenly appeared in a window, while Sir Alured's bride vanished in a fragrant puff of perfume, leaving behind her clothes. Saint Rumwold's significance extends beyond these extraordinary events. A statue of him at Boxley Abbey purportedly could only be moved by individuals perceived to lead pure lives. Purity, it was believed, could be measured by the size of a donor's gift to the abbey. If the contribution was substantial, one of the monks would operate a ratchet mechanism enabling movement of the statue. Unfortunately, during the Reformation, this charade was exposed, and the statue was eventually burned. Saint Rumwold's veneration is evident through several churches dedicated to him in various locations across England, including Kent, Essex, Northants, Lincolnshire, Dorset, and North Yorkshire. He is commonly represented as a preaching newborn baby, symbolizing his remarkable ability to proclaim the Christian faith even in infancy. Saint Rumwold's feast days are celebrated on the 3rd of November, and a secondary feast on the 28th of August commemorates the translation of his relics. Though Saint Rumwold lived for only a short time, his unwavering faith, eloquence, and spiritual impact have made him a revered saint in England. He is recognized as the patron of the fishermen of Folkestone, and his patronage also extends to Brackley and Buckingham in England. The canonization of Saint Rumwold occurred before the formal canonization process, during the Pre-Congregation era.