A portrait of St. Swithun
St. Swithun
c. 800 – 862
Feast
July 15 · IX c.
Patron of
Weather · Drought relief · Winchester
Order
Bishop
Anglo-Saxon bishop (c. 800-862), Bishop of Winchester from 852; counselor of King Egbert and tutor of Ethelwulf, father of Alfred the Great. The English weather-lore of "St. Swithun's Day, if it does rain, full forty days it will remain" derives from a tradition that storms attended the translation of his relics on July 15, 971. Pre-Congregation.
Life & Times
Born: c. 800 · Died: 862 · From: England.
Patronage
St. Swithun is invoked as the patron of weather, drought relief, winchester. Those in these callings or circumstances often turn to this saint in prayer.
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About Catholic Saints
Catholic saints, including St. Swithun, 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.