Today, October 3rd, the Church honours St. Ewald the Black and St. Ewald the Fair, two missionary priests and brothers who lived in the 7th century. They were born in England, well-educated, and deeply devoted to their Catholic faith.
But what makes their story powerful is not just their preaching — it’s their unshakable courage in the face of suffering.
The two Ewalds set out to evangelise the Saxons in modern-day Germany. They knew the risks — missionary work wasn’t just uncomfortable, it was dangerous. Preaching Christ in hostile lands often meant persecution, rejection, and even death. But they went anyway, because their love for Christ was greater than their fear.
Sadly, their mission was met with violence. The brothers were seized and brutally martyred — St. Ewald the Fair was quickly killed with the sword, while St. Ewald the Black was tortured before being slain. Their deaths shocked even their enemies, but their sacrifice planted seeds of faith that later bore fruit in conversions across the region.
What can we learn from them today?
Life constantly presents us with temptations to compromise, stay quiet, or water down our faith. But the Ewald brothers show us the power of standing firm in truth and love. Their courage reminds us that even in suffering, God is glorified, and faith can inspire generations to come.
So, if you’re struggling with temptations or feeling afraid to live out your faith boldly, turn to St. Ewald the Black and St. Ewald the Fair. Ask their intercession to give you courage, perseverance, and a fearless heart that will not waver in Christ.
St. Ewald the Black and St. Ewald the Fair, pray for us!
Why the Church Venerates Martyrs
The martyrs hold a special place in Catholic devotion because their deaths represent the ultimate testimony of faith. The word “martyr” comes from the Greek martyros — meaning “witness.” A martyr is someone who witnesses to Christ not merely with words or actions, but with the last and greatest act of all: the surrender of their life.
The Church teaches that martyrdom is “the supreme witness given to the truth of the faith: it means bearing witness even unto death.” (CCC 2473) The blood of the martyrs, as Tertullian famously wrote in the 2nd century, is “the seed of the Church” — from their sacrifice grew the faith that spread across the world.
The Historical Context of St. Ewald’s Martyrdom
Saints Ewald the Black and Ewald the Fair lived in the 7th century, a period when the Catholic faith was being heroically carried from Britain and Ireland into the pagan territories of continental Europe. The great missionary movement of this era — featuring figures like Saint Columba, Saint Columbanus, and Saint Boniface — transformed Europe’s spiritual landscape.
The two Ewalds were part of this movement. They were ordained priests, educated in Ireland (then a centre of Catholic learning and missionary activity), and deeply committed to bringing the faith to the Old Saxons in what is now Germany.
According to venerable tradition, when they approached a local Saxon chieftain to request permission to preach, they were murdered — apparently out of fear that their message would convert the chieftain and overturn the local religious order.
The Miraculous Signs at Their Martyrdom
The accounts of their martyrdom are accompanied by remarkable signs. Their bodies, thrown into the Rhine River, were said to be guided to the bank by a pillar of light visible for miles. This sign led their companions to find the bodies and give them proper burial.
Such signs, attested in the accounts of many martyrs, reflect the Church’s faith that God honours those who honour Him — that the death of His saints is “precious in the sight of the Lord” (Psalm 116:15).
What We Can Learn from These Forgotten Saints
Saints Ewald are among the countless “minor” saints whose names are barely known today — yet who died for Christ with as much courage as the most famous martyrs. Their example teaches us:
Faithfulness in obscurity: You do not need to be famous to be holy. The Ewalds carried the faith into a remote corner of the world and died there, known only to God and a few companions — yet God has preserved their memory for fourteen centuries.
The missionary calling: Their willingness to leave the safety of Britain and carry the Gospel into danger reflects the missionary heart that the Church still needs today.
The cost of discipleship: Jesus warned that following Him might lead to persecution. For the Ewalds, it led to death. For us, it may lead to social exclusion, professional consequences, or family tensions. Their example encourages us to hold nothing back.
A Prayer to the Holy Martyrs
“Saints Ewald the Black and Ewald the Fair, you gave your lives for the Gospel and now stand before God in glory. Intercede for all who carry the faith into difficult places today — missionaries, catechists, and all who face hostility for the name of Jesus. Strengthen our own courage to witness to our faith in our daily lives. Amen.”
