Saint Swithbert

Biography

Saint Swithbert, also known as Swithbert the Elder, Swithbert of Kaiserswerth, and by various other variations of his name including Suidbert, Suitbert, Suitberto, Suitbertus, Swibert, Swidbert, Apostle of the Bructeri, and Apostle of the Frisians, was a renowned Catholic saint and missionary. Born around 647, he studied under the guidance of Saint Egbert of Rathemigisi in Ireland, where he received a thorough education in theology and spirituality. After completing his studies, Swithbert became a Benedictine monk and dedicated himself to preaching and teaching the Gospel. He is remembered as a spiritual teacher, particularly of Saint Willeic, who went on to become a prominent saint in his own right. Swithbert's deep faith and commitment to evangelization led him to join a group of twelve English missionaries under the leadership of Saint Willibrord of Echternach. This group of missionaries embarked on a crucial mission to Friesland, a group of islands off the coast of the Netherlands, to spread the Christian faith among the Frisians and Bructeri peoples. In 693, Swithbert was ordained as a bishop, and he worked closely with another renowned saint, Saint Wilfrid of York. Together, they tirelessly preached the Gospel and worked to convert the local populations, overcoming numerous obstacles. Swithbert's efforts were instrumental in the establishment and growth of Christianity in the region. As an apostle and bishop, Swithbert recognized the importance of monastic life. Thus, he founded a Benedictine monastery at Werth on the Rhine, near modern-day Düsseldorf-Kaiserswerth, Germany. He devoted the remainder of his life to this monastery, living under the guidance of his co-worker missionary, Saint Velleicus, who served as the abbot. Swithbert's monastery became known for its spiritual rigor and commitment to the ideals of monasticism. Saint Swithbert's feast day is commemorated on March 1st, and on some local calendars, an additional feast day is celebrated on September 4th. Additionally, there is a custom of celebrating his feast on the Sunday after June 29th in honor of the translation of his relics. After his death on March 1, 713, near Düsseldorf-Kaiserswerth, Germany, his relics were placed in the monastery he had founded at Werth, becoming a place of veneration and pilgrimage. Saint Swithbert was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church, though this occurred before the formalized process of canonization was established. Therefore, he is considered to be a pre-congregational saint. He is revered as the patron against angina, throat ailments, and he intercedes for angina sufferers. He is also venerated as a patron of Drevenack, Germany, Friesland in the Netherlands, and the entire nation of Germany. Though not much is known about Saint Swithbert's physical appearance or specific attributes, his legacy as a dedicated missionary, bishop, and founder of a prominent monastery continues to inspire believers to this day. His unwavering faith and commitment to spreading the Gospel in challenging circumstances make him a model of Christian virtue and zeal for evangelization.