October 19 -- St Frideswide, etc.

St Frideswide: Oxford's patron saint

Once upon a time in the fair city of Oxford, there lived Princess Frideswide who was as good as she was beautiful. The King, her father, ruled the people of his realm with clemency and justice, and she learnt the ways of the Church. The motherless child was tenderly looked after by gentle nuns who taught her to read and write and to play sweet music upon the harp and lyre. As she grew up, princes from neighbouring kingdoms sought her hand in marriage.

 More of the late medieval story of Oxford's patroness here.

The Catholic Encyclopædia relates the history a bit more soberly here.

And for what it's worth, it's also the 268th anniversary of the death of  Jonathan Swift.  No one is  likely to recommend Dean Swift for the honors of the altar any time soon, but he of the sæve indignatio might still be a sort of secular patron.    There's quite enough in the daily papers to lacerate the heart.