St. Edward the Confessor, King January 5 Our Saint lived between 1004 and 1066 and as king of England from 1042 until the invasion by William of Normandy, soon after which Edward died.. He was a fervent Catholic and known to be living a holy life, filled with a firm faith in Catholic teaching and beliefs, a strong prayer life and manly piety.  After his death devotion to the saintly king spread, not only in England but in Normandy as well. When his body was found to be incorrupt in 1102, the devotion grew. He is often depicted in his royal robes with a crown and holding the ring he he gave in charity to a beggar; this beggar turned out to be St. John the Apostle who miraculously appeared to the king in that form; St. John later returned the ring to him. He is the Patron and Protector of kings and his name in Old English means "rich guard", indeed, for guardian of the Faith.    E-MAIL   HOME-------------------------------LITANIES www.catholictradition.org/Saints/saints1-4.htm