Saint Wulfram of Sens

Biography

Saint Wulfram of Sens, also known as Wulfram of Fontenelle, Offran, Oufran, Suffrain, Vuilfran, Vulfran, Vulfranno, Vulphran, Wilfranus, Wolfram, Wolframus, Wolfran, Wulframnus, Wulfran, Wulfrann, Wulfrannus, was born around 640 in France. He was the son of an official in the court of King Dagobert and grew up in a devout Christian family. As a young man, Wulfram became a courtier under Clotaire III, a king of the Franks. However, he felt called to a life of religious devotion and entered the Benedictine order. Wulfram later became the Archbishop of Sens in France in the year 682. However, after only three years, he surrendered his see to Saint Amatus, whom he believed to be the rightful bishop. Following his resignation as archbishop, Wulfram gave away his lands and decided to dedicate his life to evangelization and missionary work. He embarked on a mission with a group of monks to evangelize the Frisians in Scandinavia. This region was known to be a rough and pagan land, where human sacrifices and pagan rituals were still prevalent. Wulfram faced numerous challenges during his mission in Scandinavia. He witnessed the cruel practice of sacrificing children to heathen gods, often by hanging or drowning them in the sea. At festivals, people would cast lots to determine who would be the next victim, and the loser would be immediately executed. Deeply disturbed by these practices, Wulfram appealed to King Radbod, the ruler of the land, to put an end to the slaughter. However, the king justified the killings by citing tradition and refused to intervene. In a daring demonstration of his faith and commitment to saving innocent lives, Wulfram waded into the sea to rescue two children who had been tied to posts and left to perish in the rising tide. The turning point in Wulfram's mission came when he saved a man named Ovon from being sacrificed through hanging. After witnessing Wulfram's relentless determination and witnessing miracles attributed to the Christian God, King Radbod agreed that if Wulfram's God saved Ovon's life, they would convert. However, Ovon was hanged and left suspended for two hours, during which Wulfram fervently prayed. Miraculously, the rope broke, and Ovon survived the ordeal. Deeply impacted by this event, Ovon became Wulfram's follower, embraced the Christian faith, and eventually became a monk and priest at Fontenelle. The faith of Wulfram and his group of missionaries, coupled with their ability to perform miracles, frightened and awed the Scandinavian people. As a result, many turned away from their old ways and embraced Christianity through baptism. Even King Radbod himself was deeply moved and decided to convert. However, just before his baptism, he expressed concern about the fate of his ancestors, and upon learning that idolaters were said to go to hell, he chose to be with them rather than be in heaven without them. Later, when near death, King Radbod sent for Saint Willibrord, another prominent missionary, to baptize him. Unfortunately, Radbod passed away before Saint Willibrord could arrive. After Saint Wulfram's death on March 20, 703, his relics were initially held at Fontenelle. In 1062, they were transferred to Abbeville, and later to Rouen, France. A monk named Jonas of Fontenelle wrote the life of Saint Wulfram eleven years after his death, detailing his remarkable missionary endeavors and the miracles associated with his ministry. Saint Wulfram of Sens is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church. Although he lived before the official process of canonization was established, he is regarded as a saint and is recognized as a patron of Abbeville, France, and against the dangers of the sea. His feast days are celebrated on March 20 and October 15 (the translation of his relics). Additionally, he is revered as one of the Saints of the Diocese of Evry, with a feast day on November 8.