Saint Hilda

Saint Hilda (or Hild) of Whitby (c614 - 680), born an Anglo-Saxon princess, 2nd. daughter of Hereric, nephew of Edwin of Northumbria, and his wife Breguswith. She was an important figure in the conversion of the English to Christianity She is the Patron Saint of learning and culture, particularly poetry.
The Venerable Bede tells us that she died on 17th.November 680AD so in the Roman Catholic Church her feast-day is the 17th., but in some of the Anglican Communion it is the 18th. and in the Church of England it is the 19th. of November.  Whichever date you choose please celebrate, and learn more about, the life of Saint Hilda.

O God whose blessed Son became poor that we through His poverty might be rich: deliver us from an inordinate love of this world, that, following the example of Thy servant Hilda, we may serve Thee with singleness of heart, and attain to the riches of the world to come.  Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

O God of peace, by whose grace the Abbess Hilda was endowed with gifts of justice, prudence and strength to rule as a wise mother over the nuns and monks of her household, and to become a trusted and reconciling friend to leaders of the Church.  Give us the grace to respect and love our fellow Christians with whom we disagree, that our common life may be enriched and Thy gracious will be done through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever
                                  Amen