St. Wulfric was born sometime in the year 1080 in the village of Compton Martin, near Bristol, England. Though ordained as a priest, he lived lavishly, hawking and hunting with hounds, I’m sure to the disapproval of many. He continued in this worldly lifestyle until a chance encounter with a beggar caused a conversion of his soul.
Wulfric gave up all his worldly pursuits and took a small church in his hometown. He then became an anchorite, without the permission of the bishop, but he received support from a local monastery. From his cell, Wulfric dispensed wisdom and healing to all who came to him. He lived a simple life of penance and fasting to atone for his previous life of self-indulgence, and even influenced the court of the king. Upon his death, a sad scuffle broke out between the bishop and his monk friends over who would take charge of his body. The Bishop of Bath, a friend of Wulfric’s, settled the argument by burying him in the cell where he’d spent his life, not bothered by either argument.
With Wulfric as our example, let us influence others with the holiness of our lives.
Sources:
LogoSophia Magazine 