Candida of Whitchurch

Saint Wite (pronounced Wee-ta; died ) was a 9th-century Saxon holy woman from Dorset who was killed by marauding Danes. She is venerated in the Orthodox Church, is the patron saint of Dorset and has her feast day on 1 June, also celebrated as Dorset Day. She is also known as Saint Candida (Candida is the Latin word for white).

Historiography Saint Wite is variously spelt as Wite, Whyte or Witta. Her name is pronounced Wee-ta.

The chroniclers William of Worcester and John Gerard recorded the history of Saint Wite in the 15th and 16th centuries. She maintained fires as beacons to guide sailors.

Shrine

The shrine containing Saint Wite's relics is located in the north transept of the parish Church of St Candida and Holy Cross in Whitchurch Canonicorum, in the Marshwood Vale between Bridport and Lyme Regis, Dorset. into which were placed diseased limbs or articles belonging to the sick. Pilgrims would then pray for Saint Wite's intercession. On the casket was the Latin inscription "HIC-REQESCT-RELIQE-SCE-WITE" ("Here lie the remains of St Wite"). It was then restored.

Patron saint of Dorset

Saint Wite is the patron saint of the county of Dorset and her feast day is 1 June, which is also celebrated as Dorset Day. 54% of the 3,868 votes cast