Integrity / South Central Kansas

Integrity's Patron Saint: Aelred of Rievaulx

January 12 is the Feast of St. Aelred, a celibate monk in the Cistercian order living in Rievaulx, England. He entered the order in 1134 at the age of 24; in 1147 he became abbot of Rievaulx and remained so until his death 20 years later. According to his biography (see www. integrityusa. org), Aelred's greatest gift to the Church, the gift "most uniquely his is the joyous affirmation that we move toward God in and through our relationships with other people, not apart from or in spite of them."

How did Aelred become the patron saint of Integrity?

The Rev. Paul Woodrum writes that at the Episcopal Church's 1984 General Covention he was recommended by the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, along with a number of others, for inclusion in Lesser Feasts and Fasts. "When this resolution came before the House of Bishops, the preconversion Rt. Rev. John Shelby Spong informed the house that, according to John Boswell, Aelred of Rievaulx had been gay, implying this might disqualify his inclusion. With little discussion, the House of Bishops approved the others on the list but sent Aelred back to the commission, which sent him back to the House of Bishops where, in spite of his being gay, and with the bishops' full knowledge that he was, he was admitted to the calendar."

"That this was the first person openly acknowledged to be gay to be formally admitted into ECUSA's liturgical calendar engaged my sense of irony," Woodrum contines. This was the inspiration for Woodrum's resolution which was passed at the 1987 National Convention of Integrity, Inc., making Aelred our patron.

For information call (316) 683-5686 ext. 11

Email us here.

Home   Prayers   Links   13 Questions   Meeting Notes   Baptism Means