Portal:Catholicism/Patron Archive/October 3 2007

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Saints Ewald (or Hewald) were Ewald the Black and Ewald the Fair, martyrs in Old Saxony about 695. Both bore the same name, but were distinguished by the difference in the colour of their hair and complexions. They are now honoured as saints in Westphalia.

The two priests were companions, both natives of Northumbria, England. According to the example of many at that time, they spent several years as students in the schools of Ireland. Ewald the Black was the more learned of the two, but both were equally renowned for holiness of life. They were apparently acquainted with St. Willibrord, the Apostle of Friesland, and were animated with his zeal for the conversion of the Germans.

They entered upon their mission about 690. The scene of their labours was the country of the ancient Saxons, now covered by the dioceses of Münster, Diocese of Osnabrück, and Paderborn. At first the Ewalds took up their abode in the house of the steward of a certain Saxon earl or ealdorman (satrapa). The steward entertained his two guests for several days, and promised to conduct them to the chieftain. They intended to convert him and so affirmed they had a message of considerable importance to deliver to him.

Meanwhile, the Ewalds omitted nothing of their religious exercises. They prayed often, recited the canonical hours, and celebrated Mass, for they carried with them all that was necessary. The pagan Saxons, witnessing these activities of the Christian priests and missionaries, began to suspect that the Ewalds planned to convert their over-lord, destroy their temples and supplant their religion. An uprising followed and both priests were quickly seized. Ewald the Fair was killed quickly by sword. Ewald the Black was tortured, because he was the spokesman and showed greater boldness. He was torn limb from limb, after which both their bodies were cast into the Rhine.

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