The Liturgical Calendar: The Church Remembers

Today the church remembers Chad, Bishop of Lichfield, 672.

In the seventh century sweeping changes were being made in church administration and in the forms of worship to which British people were accustomed. Chad, who had been educated at the great Celtic monastery at Lindisfarne, was a spokesman for the opposition to these changes. At the Synod of Whitby he defended the Celtic forms of worship and Celtic church order. But the Synod decided in favor of the Roman ways of doing things. Chad gracefully accepted the decision of the Synod and helped enforce the observance of the new liturgy.

Later Chad was appointed Bishop of York by the king, following the custom of the day. Meanwhile, Wilfred had been made Bishop of York by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Roman Pope. Chad accepted the church"s new way of doing things and resigned in favor of Wilfred. The Archbishop of Canterbury was so thankful and so impressed with Chad"s humility and devotion to duty that he made him Bishop of Lichfield. There Chad lived very simply, not even affording himself the luxury of a horse, and exerted a powerful influence for holiness and sound religious practice.

Grant to us, your humble servants, that same faith and power of love which you enkindled in the heart of your servant Chad. Amen.

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Almighty God, for the peace of the Church your servant Chad relinquished cheerfully the honors that had been thrust upon him, only to be rewarded with equal responsibility: Keep us, we pray, from thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought to think, and ready at all times to step aside for others, that the cause of Christ may be advanced; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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