Richard of Chichester 		April 3
Bishop
Richard of Chichester was born in 1197, the son of a yeoman farmer. He worked on the family farm for several years, refused to marry, and went as a student first to Oxford, then Paris and Bologna. He became chancellor of the University of Oxford about 1235, and, soon after, chancellor of Canterbury under Archbishop Edmund Rich.
When Henry III forced the archbishop into exile, Richard accompanied him to France. After the archbishop’s death, Richard studied theology and was ordained in 1243. In 1244 he was elected bishop of Chichester. Unfortunately, however, King Henry III refused to accept him, preferring a rival candidate, and Henry confiscated all the properties and revenues of the diocese. He only gave them up when threatened with excommunication by the pope.
At this time England was politically very unstable, and this instability also affected the church. Many clergy, more concerned with wealth than service, were taking revenue from several livings, often without even bothering to visit them; they were demanding payment for sacraments and not observing celibacy. Bishops often allowed these conditions to continue, either from dishonesty or inertia or perhaps from fear of the consequences of interference.
This did not prevent Richard from carrying out his responsibilities. While the bishop’s house was closed to him, he lived in the house of a parish priest. Without the use of the diocesan horses, he patiently continued to move around his district on foot, visiting fishermen and farmers. Richard was known to be generous and approachable - not common among higher clergy of his day - and merciful but not weak. His knowledge of canon law and awareness of the need for reform gave him extra strength. He dealt firmly with the abuses that had crept into his diocese. At a time when abuses were so common, Richard’s standards were unshaken, reflecting his own devout and ordered life.
Richard was not only respected, he was loved and even revered. He died in 1253 and was canonised in 1262. His shrine at Chichester Cathedral was a centre of pilgrimage for many people until it was destroyed on the orders of Henry VIII in 1538.
The first collect for Richard’s day is modelled on the beautiful prayer that he himself composed.
Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits thou hast given me, for all the pains and insults which thou hast borne for me. O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may I know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly and follow thee more nearly, day by day.
For Liturgical Use
Richard of Chichester, born in 1197, was renowned as a scholar, a caring priest and a great administrator. He became bishop of Chichester in 1244. In a time when standards were slipping badly, Richard reformed his diocese by refusing to allow his priests to follow common practice. Richard was loved by his people. For many years after his death, his tomb at Chichester Cathedral was a popular place of pilgrimage. Richard died in 1253 and was canonised in 1262.
Sentence
O God, to you shall vows be performed; you give heed to prayer.	Psalm 65:1, 2
Collects
Gracious God,
we give you thanks for all the benefits 
you have given us in our Lord Jesus Christ,
our most merciful Redeemer, friend and brother,
and for all the pains and insults he has borne for us;
and we pray that, following the example 
of your servant Richard of Chichester, 
we may see Christ more clearly,
love him more dearly, 
and follow him more nearly,
for his name’s sake.

Glory and thanks to you, our Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the benefits, all the people
you have given us,
and especially for Richard of Chichester;
may we too
know you more clearly,
love you more dearly,
and follow you more nearly,
day by day.
Psalms	9:1-10	143
Readings
Isaiah 43:8-13	Knowledge of God
1 Peter 1:3-9	Love for Jesus
Luke 9:57-62	Following more nearly
Post Communion Sentence
Grace be with all who have an undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.	Ephesians 6:24