Local Lad Makes Good

Posted on behalf of Sheila Banyard

This weekend the church has been remembering Richard de Wych – Richard of Droitwich – our very own home-grown saint. He was the son of a farmer, born in1197 in a house which probably stood on the site of the present Raven Hotel, and early on he showed himself to be a clever lad. So as a younger son with few prospects, the obvious route to betterment was a career in the church.

Richard was already showing himself an excellent scholar at Oxford, when a crisis back home persuaded him to leave his studies to help run the farm. After the death of his father, an unscrupulous guardian had squandered the family fortune, such as it was, but his older brother thought that he might have the solution to their problems when he tried to get Richard to marry a wealthy local heiress. But Richard knew this wasn’t the path for him; he returned to Oxford and set out on the career which would lead him to become in 1245 the thirty-eighth Bishop of Chichester.

Today Richard is often best remembered, by people outside of Droitwich and Chichester at least, for the prayer which carries his name. It’s known in many forms not least (for those of a certain age) through the song Day by Day made popular by the 1970s musical Godspel.  Much of Richard’s prayer is probably comparatively modern, but this mix doesn’t diminish the affection Christians have for it. People revered Richard for his honesty, compassion and faith, qualities many people still think are vital today.  So perhaps the blend of ancient and modern in Richard’s prayer helps to bridge the centuries by reminding us that the holiness of any saint has something to teach every generation.

The Prayer of St Richard

Lord Jesus Christ,

we thank you for all the benefits you have won for us,

for all the pains and insults you have borne for us.

Most merciful Redeemer, friend and brother,

may we know you more clearly,

love you more dearly,

and follow you more nearly,

day by day.