St Richard of Chichester (1197 - 1253)
St Richard grew up in what is now called Droitwich (then simply called Wych) and until his 40’s lived a normal sort of life. If normal included being mentored by St Edmund! His brother was concerned and offered him the full family inheritance if he settled down and got married… Richard however was determined to be a Clerk - a religious life not necessarily involving priesthood.
When Edmund became Archbishop of Canterbury, he appointed the (still lay) Richard as his chancellor. They went to Rome, during which visit Edmund died, and Richard then finally accepted his vocation and following training in France became a priest. A pastoral role in England was soon followed by becoming bishop of Chichester, although Henry III’s appointeee had to be deposed first!
Richard required all to attend church every week, and all to know the Our Father, Hail MAry and the creed by heart - in a time when most people were illiterate. In effect he began what we now might term modern Catholicism in this county - including payment of an annual tax to support the cathedral and the work of the diocese!
Achieving much - how much more might have been done if he had followed Gods call to vocation earlier in life? A message for us all?