Saint of the Day Online - St. Wulfric

Saint of the Day - Feb 20, 2017

Wulfric was born at Compton Martin, 10 miles south of Bristol. After becoming a priest, he at first exercised his ministry at Deverill, near Warminster. At this stage, apparently, he was much addicted to hunting, with both hawks and hounds. A chance conversation with a beggar, however, converted him to more godly pursuits, and he moved back to Compton Martin as a parish priest.

In the year 1125 Wulfric came to St. Michael and All Angels Church in Haselbury Plucknett, Somerset. He wished to spend the rest of his life as an anchorite, withdrawn from the world, living in a cell adjacent to the church. This cell stood on the cold northern side of the chancel where the vestry is now. Although he apparently failed to obtain episcopal permission for this move, he was supported by the Cluniac monks at Montacute.[2] Sir William FitzWalter had a great respect for his saintly neighbor; he sent provisions to him and visited him from time to time. Wulfric numbered among his intimate friends Osbern, the village priest, William, a lay brother of Forde Abbey; and Brichtric, who seems to have joined him as a disciple or attendant.

Wulfric was a very popular saint during the Middle Ages, and his tomb was visited by many pilgrims. Feast day: February 20.