Patronal Festival - hymn for Frideswide

Frideswide is an obscure saint and very strongly located not just in Oxford, but in Christ Church. I wrote this hymn for her feast day (and our patronal festival) in 2022. It's dedicated to Richard Peers, then our Sub Dean, a priest of huge integrity, wisdom and gentleness from whom I learnt a lot.

The tune is Highwood, because I love it.

This is the house which holy Frideswide founded

strong in God’s peace, unshaken, unafraid,

choosing a life of prayer, of love and service,

she taught God’s truth and brought God’s gracious aid.

Once in this place, she healed God’s hurting people;

here from her faith she built a house of grace;

now in her presence we her light remember

as she beholds our God with glowing face.

Here stands the shrine, its fragments found and mended

– marble and stone once carved with faithful care –

craft that remade it after years of absence;

her silent presence and her steadfast prayer.

And here we come, to ask again for healing,

kneeling in worship at the broken shrine.

Shrine recreated, sign of new creation

Christ’s healing love in broken bread and wine.

Lord, send us out, the people who are broken,

remade yet bearing still the marks of pain,

to tell like Frideswide of your bright salvation,

and come like Frideswide home to praise your name.