Your Faith Journey with EWTN
As we deepen our relationship with the Eternal Word, Jesus Christ, we grow in grace and are transformed by His love and mercy.
c. 658 - 739
Patron Saint of convulsions, epilepsy, Luxembourg, Netherlands
St. Willibrord, often called the “Apostle of the Frisians,” was born in Northumbria, England. His father became a hermit, and young Willibrord was raised in the monastery of Ripon. At 20, he set out for Ireland to deepen his faith, studying under St. Egbert and living the disciplined life of a monk for twelve years.
But God had bigger plans. Around 690, St. Willibrord and a group of missionaries traveled to what is now the Netherlands to bring the Gospel to the Frisians. Before beginning his mission, he went to Rome to ask the pope for a blessing. Pope Sergius I gave his pallium, a vestment popes wear, to St. Willibrord as a sign of authority. Later, St. Willibrord was consecrated Archbishop of the Frisians. Willibrord set up his base in Utrecht and began preaching, baptizing, and pastoring the Church.
In 698, he founded the Abbey of Echternach in present-day Luxembourg. The abbey was the center of activity for his mission. Despite being forced to flee by the pagan King Radbod’s attacks, St. Willibrord never gave up. With the help of St. Boniface, he returned to continue proclaiming the Gospel.
St. Willibrord died on November 7, 739. His memory lives on in the churches and monasteries he founded. Today, his tomb is a place of pilgrimage where St. Willibrord is honored with a “Dancing Procession” each year.
St. Willibrord is the patron saint of the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and those who suffer from epilepsy. His life exemplifies the courage and perseverance of early missionaries who took the Gospel to foreign lands, and it reminds us that the work of missionary evangelization continues today.
St. Willibrord wanted the pope’s blessing and authority. He valued the authority and unity of the universal Church. In Rome, he obtained the pallium, a liturgical vestment, as a sign of the pope’s authority. This ensured that his mission had the approval of Pope Sergius I and strengthened the bond between the Frankish Church and Rome.
The Abbey of Echternach was St. Willibrord’s base for teaching and evangelizing. After his death, it became a place of miraculous healings from a well of healing water. Today, it is known for the Dancing Procession that the people have every year in honor of St. Willibrord.
Founded in 698 on land given by St. Irmina, Echternach became a religious, cultural, and educational hub. It preserved his relics, became a pilgrimage site, and today hosts the famous Dancing Procession—keeping alive the memory and spiritual impact of the saint.
When St. Willibrord was driven out of his missionary camp, he never gave up. He came back stronger, supported by Christian leaders like St. Boniface, and continued to spread the faith with patience and courage.
When the pagan King Radbod destroyed churches and missionaries were forced to flee, St. Willibrord did not give up. He returned after Radbod’s death in 719, and, together with St. Boniface, rebuilt Christian communities, showing perseverance and resilience in his evangelization efforts.
This eBook combines stunning photography from EWTN’s Vatican Bureau along with Bible passages and saints’ quotes that will calm your heart, give you hope, and remind you that God is with us always. Simply fill out the form below and we will send this to you!
As we deepen our relationship with the Eternal Word, Jesus Christ, we grow in grace and are transformed by His love and mercy.
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