Radiant Virtue

‘Egbert attempted to send other holy and zealous men for the work of preaching, among whom was an outstanding priest of radiant virtue name Willibrord. When he and his companions arrived, they made a detour to visit Peppin, Duke of the Franks, by whom they were graciously received. And since the latter had recently conquered Nearer Frisia and drove out King Rathbed, he dispatched them to preach there, supporting them with his imperial authority so that no-one should interfere with their preaching, and granting many favours to those who wished to embrace the faith. Consequently, aided by God’s grace, they converted many folk in a short while from idolatry to belief in Christ’.

​St Bede the Venerable, 672-735

O God, who didst vouchsafe to send thy blessed Saint Willibrord to preach thy glory to the nations: we humbly beseech thee; that by his merits and intercession we may both see and know the things which we ought to do, and by thy mercy be enabled to perform the same; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, ​who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. - Divine Worship: The Missal.