A portrait of St. Kenelm
St. Kenelm
c. 786 – c. 811
Feast
July 17 · IX c.
Patron of
Children · Murder victims · Mercia
Order
Royal / Martyr
Anglo-Saxon prince (c. 786-c. 811), traditionally a boy-king of Mercia murdered by the agents of his ambitious sister Quendreda, his body hidden under a thorn in the Forest of Clent until miraculously revealed. The most popular medieval English saint after Edward the Confessor and Thomas Becket; pilgrimage at Winchcombe. Pre-Congregation; biography legendary.
Life & Times
Born: c. 786 · Died: c. 811 · From: England / Mercia.
Patronage
St. Kenelm is invoked as the patron of children, murder victims, mercia. Those in these callings or circumstances often turn to this saint in prayer.
Shop St. Kenelm Products
Devotional items honoring St. Kenelm, from our Sancta Lumina collection and beyond.
About Catholic Saints
Catholic saints, including St. Kenelm, are Christians whom the Catholic Church has formally recognized as having lived lifes of heroic holiness and who now dwell with God in heaven, offering an example of faith for those still on their earthly journey. Catholics don't worship saints, but ask them to pray to God with us and for us — much as one might ask a trusted friend to pray for them — trusting that those closest to God can join their voices to ours before Him. Discover more saints in the Catholic Shop Saints section.