DOCSLIB.ORG

The Benedictine Sisters at St. Cloud / Sister Grace Mcdonald

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Benedictine Sisters at St. Cloud / Sister Grace Mcdonald SISTER GRACE is a member of the history faculty in tlie College of St. Benedict at St. Joseph. The present article is drawn from her history of St. Benedict's Convent, which irill soon be published under the title "With Lamps Burning." The volume will commemorate the convent's centennial. PIONEER TEACHERS The BENEDICTINE SISTERS at ST. CLOUD SISTER GRACE McDONALD THE ARRIVAL of a steamboat was a County. The nuns who stepped ashore that matter of great importance to the inhabit­ June day a hundred years ago were to pio­ ants of early St. Paul, and the usual large neer the establishment of an institution crowd was at the landing on June 25, 1857. which, through its many activities over the When the boat docked, few people noted years, was to educate and mold the minds the arrival of a small group of Benedictine and hearts of thousands in the upper Mis­ nuns, for they were dressed in the shawls sissippi Vafley — St. Benedict's Convent at and poke bonnets of the period. The sisters St. Joseph, Minnesota.^ had made the long journey from Pennsyl­ During the 1850s large numbers of Ger­ vania to Minnesota in response to an ap­ man Catholics had been attracted to the peal for teachers to undertake the work of rich valleys of the Sauk and upper Missis­ educating the chfldren of the many Ger­ sippi rivers through the efforts of Father man immigrants who had settled in Stearns Francis Pierz, an early missionary to the Indians of the region. Father Pierz had also ^ On the nuns' arri\al, see Prior Demetrius di been instrumental in bringing to St. Cloud Marogna and Sister Willibalda Scherbauer to Abbot Boniface Wimmer. July 14, August 28, 1857, in the in 1856 a group of Benedictine monks, the archives of St. John's Abbey, Collegeville. Unless nucleus of the future St. John's Abbey and otherwise noted, transcripts of manuscripts cited in University at Collegevifle. In the spring of this article are in the possession of St. John's Abbey. 1857, Prior Demetrius di Marogna, head of All letters quoted in the text are in German and were translated by the author. the group, had requested teachers for the ' For information on the work of "Father Francis German community in Stearns County. Pierz, Missionary," see the author's article in Minne­ The nuns who arrived at St. Paul had sota History, 10:107-125 (June, 1929). The begin­ nings of St. John's Abbey are discussed by Colman J. been sent by Mother Benedicta Riepp of Barry in Worship and Work: Saint John's Abbey and St. Joseph's Convent at St. Mary's, Penn­ University, 1856-1956. 25-55 (Collegeville, 1956). On sylvania, in response to Prior Demetrius' the request for teachers, see a letter from Di Marogna to Wimmer, March 10, 1857, a transcript of which is appeal. Having immigrated to the United in the archives of St. John's Abbey. The convent at States from Bavaria only five years earlier, St. Mary's, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1852 by Mother Benedicta and her nuns were eager nuns from the ancient convent of St. Walburga at Eichstaett, Bavaria. to serve their countrymen in Minnesota.^ June 1957 263 No one was on hand to meet the sisters last lap of their journey to St. Cloud when they disembarked at St. Paul, for aboard the steamboat "North Star," which Prior Demetrius had not expected so quick made two trips a week between the Fafls of a response to his appeal. The little band of St. Anthony and Sauk Rapids. Two mfles sisters had, in fact, reached Minnesota below St. Cloud the boat ran aground near ahead of a letter announcing their coming. Prior Demtrius' log monastery. The sisters A citizen directed the travel-worn women remained on the "North Star" untfl the to the hospital conducted by the Sisters of next day, July 4, when they were removed St. Joseph, where they were cordially re­ in a small boat and taken to the monastery. ceived.^ "We are all very happy to have had this Fortunately, Prior Demetrius happened uncalled for experience," Sister Wiflibalda to visit St. Paul on the third day after the later wrote, "otherwise we would not have sisters arrived. He later wrote that when been able to see the [monastery]. How­ he reached the territorial capital at mid­ ever, after this experience we were forced night on June 28, he was "welcomed and not only to pass by the little monastery not a little surprised with the announce­ but also to enter it and enjoy some re­ ment 'the Sisters have arrived and are freshment, since we had been on the boat lodged at the hospital.' I was surprised and for three days without food." The nuns embarrassed," he commented, ''and I could had been unable to eat aboard the boat, not suppress the cry of "over hasty.' ]More- said Sister Willibalda, "because the price over ... I hardly know what to do with of a meal came to half of a doflar." Later these women," he added, but "it was de­ that afternoon the sisters were taken to cided that I was to take them with me St. Cloud.^ and care for them. This I then did." The prior noted that afl the sisters "appeared LOCATED at a point where a Red River pale, emaciated, and afling." * oxcart trail between St. Paul and Fort The little group of pioneering nuns was Garry crossed the Mississippi River, St. composed of four sisters and two candi­ Cloud had been settled only four years dates for the Order of St. Benedict. At the before the sisters arrived. It was not a typi­ head of the company was Sister Willibalda cal river town, for it had been buflt not Scherbauer. Born in Bavaria, she was the on the levee but upon the high banks of oldest of the group, and she had been the Mississippi. The frontier vfllage did not appointed its superior by Mother Bene­ face the river, but looked toward the farms dicta. Sisters Evangelista Kremmeter and of the plains, suggesting that its ultimate Gertrude Capser, both of whom were born prosperity vs^ould come from agriculture. in Germany, had gone as children with In 1857 herds of deer and elk roamed near their parents to Pennsylvania and had by, and a few adventurous ones occasion­ later entered the Benedictine convent at ally strayed through the vfllage. Bands of St. Mary's. Sister Gertrude's brothers had Chippewa Indians living in the area some- recently emigrated to Minnesota and were already settled on farms near St. Joseph. ' Di Marogna to Wimmer, July 14. 1857. See also The fourth sister, Gregoria Moser, had Sister Helen Angela Hurley, On Good Ground, 131 (Minneapohs, 1951). been born in the United States. The two ' Di Marogna to Wimmer, July 14. 1857, candidates were Mary Wolters and Prisca " The sisters are identified in Catalogue of the Meier. The sisters also brought with them Nuns and Convents of the Holy Order oj St. Bene­ to Minnesota a twelve-year-old orphan, dict in the United States, 24 (Latrobe, Pennsylvania, 1879); Alexius Roetzer to Wimmer, August 12, 1857; Josephine Leshafl, who had been left in and in the population schedules of the Minnesota ter­ their care.'' ritorial census of 1857, a photostatic copy of which is in the possession of the Minnesota Historical Society. On July 2, 1857, the sisters began the "Sister Willibalda to Wimmer, August 28, 1857. 264 MINNESOTA History •""-a^s -7''~^%^«4a&- • ^•^>' ""-^ J~-- - m^...w^^.^Lmll% ' ^ .^^^SBSHH w". -^ „ _ >.».K(aKj;i-^ ' *-"f ^ ::i..: • g|g_; ;;_; -^ ;,,,10^^^^^^ ^-^^S^•^Hp t .v ''T^^^ffii -• '••"•''•*«^ ST. CLOUD ^^^r- in the 1860s ISfe^^ isspfi «^' '^' ; 1^:^#«f^:f ^ ^^^ m 'P**"'°"'- ppf^^^^ times worried the settlers with untimely for eight days in the unplastered, unfur­ visits, and their presence kept outlying nished garret of Wendelin Merz's log house, farmers on the alert,' while the prior wrestled with the problem At the time of the nuns' arrival, St. of what to do with them. Should they go Cloud was made up of three distinct areas on to St. Joseph where a teacher was of settlement. The English-speaking Yan­ needed, but where no house was to be had kees, including many of the town's profes­ for a convent, or should they stay in St. sional men and skilled craftsmen, lived in Cloud where they might find a house but what was called Lower St. Cloud. In this where no teachers were needed? ^ group was Mrs. Jane Grey Swisshelm, Although they had been sent to St. outspoken editor of the local newspaper, Cloud to teach, no positions were available and C. C. Andrews, who was later to be­ because no parochial schools existed in the come United States minister to Norway. community. Moreover, German Catholics Upper St. Cloud, near what is now Sauk were divided on the subject of public and Rapids, had been colonized by a group parochial schools. Some favored a public of slave-holding Southerners. German im­ school taught by a Catholic layman of their migrants had settled in what was called choice, while others wanted a parochial Middle St. Cloud, on and around the pres­ school. Some were willing to accept the ent St. Germain Street, where some of their nuns as teachers, while others were not. countrymen had-opened places of business Before the sisters reached St. Cloud, a lay as early as 1854. There Joseph Edelbrock teacher had been placed under contract and Balthasar Rosenberger operated gen­ for the current school year.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Naples, 1781-1785 New Evidence of Queenship at Court
    QUEENSHIP AND POWER THE DIARY OF QUEEN MARIA CAROLINA OF NAPLES, 1781-1785 New Evidence of Queenship at Court Cinzia Recca Queenship and Power Series Editors Charles Beem University of North Carolina, Pembroke Pembroke , USA Carole Levin University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln , USA Aims of the Series This series focuses on works specializing in gender analysis, women's studies, literary interpretation, and cultural, political, constitutional, and diplomatic history. It aims to broaden our understanding of the strategies that queens-both consorts and regnants, as well as female regents-pursued in order to wield political power within the structures of male-dominant societies. The works describe queenship in Europe as well as many other parts of the world, including East Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Islamic civilization. More information about this series at http://www.springer.com/series/14523 Cinzia Recca The Diary of Queen Maria Carolina of Naples, 1781–1785 New Evidence of Queenship at Court Cinzia Recca University of Catania Catania , Italy Queenship and Power ISBN 978-3-319-31986-5 ISBN 978-3-319-31987-2 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-31987-2 Library of Congress Control Number: 2016947974 © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2017 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifi cally the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfi lms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed.
    [Show full text]
  • The Legacy of Monastic Hospitality
    Research and practice The legacy of monastic hospitality 1 The Rule of Benedict and rise of Western monastic hospitality In the first of two articles about the founding father of hospitality, Kevin O’Gorman looks at St Benedict’s rule and its context of in the monastic orders. Contemporary hospitality operators will find themselves in a very familiar world. ospitality has a long history, Roman persecutions of Christians to take place in honourable tradition and rich heritage. Egypt, when many Christians led from the cities to H hroughout human history hospitality has avoid martyrdom. he followers of St Anthony were developed as a benchmark for civilisation. With the purely eremitical (Christian hermit-like), whilst those fall of the Roman Empire at the end of the fifth cen- who followed the Rule of St Pachomius more nearly tury ‘gastronomy took sanctuary in the monasteries approached the coenobitical ideal of communal liv- until the 15th century’.1 During this time the monks ing within a monastery. Under the Antonian system were writing about and providing hospitality that the austerities (regime of self-discipline) of the monks would easily be recognised today. In the high Middle were let entirely to their own discretion; under the Ages hospitality emerged as a commonly accepted cri- Pachomian system, however, there was an obligatory terion of judgement of esteem at all levels of society.2 rule of limited severity, and the monks were free to add to it what other ascetical practices they chose. In The origins of addition, the prevailing idea in both sets of follow- ers was that they were spiritual athletes and as such Western monasticism they rivalled each other in austerity.
    [Show full text]
  • Identification of Bethany Beyond the Jordan”
    “The Identification of Bethany Beyond the Jordan” from Selective Geographical Problems in the Life of Christ, a doctoral dissertation by J. Carl Laney (Dallas Theological Seminary, 1977). One of the places where John the Baptist ministered is named in the Fourth Gospel as “Bethany beyond the Jordan” (Jn. 1:28). There Jesus was baptized by John and later ministered with His disciples (Jn. 10:40-42). Origen, who lived in Palestine in the 3rd century, suggested that the correct place-name in John 1:28 was “Bethabara,” a site he located on the west side of the Jordan. Many later manuscripts carry this suggestion. Since no site east of the Jordan has been identified as Bethany, Christian tradition has associated Bethany with Qasr el-Yehud west of the Jordan. John 1:28 has even been retranslated in such a way as to eliminate the site altogether. The identification of Bethany beyond the Jordan is without doubt a complicated geographical problem in the life of Christ. Bethabara Not Bethany The oldest solution to the problem of the identification of Bethany beyond the Jordan is set forth by Origen (A.D. 185-254) in his commentary on John. In commenting on John 1:28 Origen admits that the reading “Bethany” is found in almost all the manuscripts, but is convinced that the reading should be Bethabara. In support of this contention he argues that Bethany, the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (Jn. 11:1, 5), is near Jerusalem, not the Jordan River. In addition, he declares that there is no other place by the name of Bethany in the vicinity of the Jordan.
    [Show full text]
  • AN INTRODUCTORY HISTORY of the ORTHODOX CHURCH in BRITAIN and IRELAND from Its Beginnings to the Eleventh Century
    1 AN INTRODUCTORY HISTORY OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND From its Beginnings to the Eleventh Century By Aidan Hart PART I (until 600 AD) “In all parts of Spain, among the diverse nations of the Gauls, in regions of the Britons beyond Roman sway but subjected to Christ... the name of Christ now reigns.” (Tertullian in “Adversus Judaeos” Ch. 7, circa 200 AD) Introduction There is a saying on Mount Athos that it is not where we live that saves us but the way we live. This is a play on the Greek words topos and tropos . One could add that neither is it when we live that saves us. And yet on reading the lives of saints who lived in other epochs and other lands it is easy to feel that it is impossible for us, in our circumstances, to approach their level of repentance and humility. This is one reason why many British and other English speakers are being attracted to the saints of the British Isles: although these saints lived over a millennium ago they lived on our own soil, or at least on that of our ancestors. It is as though these local saints are not only supporting us from heaven, but are also with us here, on the same soil where they once struggled in the spiritual life. How eagerly the saints of Britain must await our prayers that the land in which they so mightily laboured should again become a garden of virtue! It is difficult to be inspired by saints about whom we know little.
    [Show full text]
  • THE FALL of ORTHODOX ENGLAND the Spiritual Roots of the Norman Conquest, 1043-1087
    THE FALL OF ORTHODOX ENGLAND The Spiritual Roots of the Norman Conquest, 1043-1087 Vladimir Moss © Vladimir Moss, 2007 FOREWORD ................................................................................................................4 INTRODUCTION: ENGLAND AND THE CONTINENT ...................................6 The Beginning of the End .......................................................................................6 The Rise of the Heretical Papacy .........................................................................8 The Growth of Feudalism....................................................................................11 The English Monarchy..........................................................................................16 Rome and the Holy Roman Empire....................................................................20 The Papal Reform Movement .............................................................................24 The Rise of the Normans......................................................................................28 The Challenge Facing the English.......................................................................30 1. SAINT EDWARD THE CONFESSOR (1043-1066)...........................................31 Early Years.............................................................................................................31 Years in Exile .........................................................................................................34 Edward the King....................................................................................................36
    [Show full text]
  • Care of Relics in Early Medieval Rome. In: Garver, Valerie L
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Enlighten Smith, Julia (2014) Care of relics in early medieval Rome. In: Garver, Valerie L. and Phelan, Owen M. (eds.) Rome and Religion in the Early Middle Ages: Studies in Honor of Thomas F. X. Noble. Series: Church, Faith and Culture in the Medieval West. Ashgate, Farnham, pp. 179-205. ISBN 9781472421135 Copyright © 2014 Valerie L. Garver and Owen M. Phelan and the contributors A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge Content must not be changed in any way or reproduced in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holder(s) When referring to this work, full bibliographic details must be given http://eprints.gla.ac.uk/95407/ Deposited on: 31 July 2014 Enlighten – Research publications by members of the University of Glasgow http://eprints.gla.ac.uk © Copyrighted Material Chapter 9 Care of Relics in Early Medieval Rome Julia M.H. Smith Hidden in a dark corner of St. Peter’s shrine, Pope Sergius I (687–701) found a silver box so blackened with age that he was at first unsure whether it was indeed made of silver. Having said a prayer over it, he broke its seal and opened it. Inside, resting on a silken cushion, he discovered a jeweled reliquaryashgate.com of the True Cross and, according to the Liber Pontificalis, introduced into Rome the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross in its honor.1 Some decades later, Pope Zacharias (741–52) made a similar find, this time in the Lateran: a reliquary containing the head of St.
    [Show full text]
  • Queenship of Mary Church Northampton, PA PARISH WEEKLY
    06 June 2021 Queenship of Mary Church The Most Holy Body Northampton, PA and Blood of Christ PARISH WEEKLY Rev. Patrick H. Lamb, Pastor ext. 103 Msgr. John S. Campbell, Pastor Emeritus Msgr. Michael J. Chaback, In Residence Deacon Michael W. Doncsecz ext 101 Mrs. Maureen Tancin, Secretary ext 100 Mrs. Stephanie Kalavoda, PREP ext. 104 Cemetery office ext. 107 THE CELEBRATION OF MASS Saturday Evening: 4:00 PM Sunday: 8:00, 10:30 AM Mon.Tues. M Wed. 8:00AM Thurs. NO MASS Friday: 9:15AM (SCHOOL MASS) HOLY DAY MASSES 6:30AM, 9:00AM, 7:00PM SACRAMENT OF PENANCE Saturday: 3:00 to 3:45 PM Sunday: 10:00 to 10:25 AM I will take the cup of Other times by appointment salvation, and call on the SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM name of the Lord. Baptisms are celebrated on the 4th Sunday of the month. A prebaptismal workshop is required for par- ents, who are expected to be active members for at least three months. Please call Deacon Mike to make RECTORY all arrangements. (6102622227) 1324 Newport Avenue Northampton, PA 18067 HOLY MATRIMONY Phone: 610 2622227 A minimum preparation time of six months is required Fax: 610 2624192 for the couple by the Diocese for the proper celebra- Email: [email protected] tion of the Sacrament. Please call Father Lamb to Website: queenshipofmary.weconnect.com make all arrangements. (6102622227) RECTORY OFFICE HOURS Monday to Thursday: 9:00AM to 3:00PM WE WELCOME Friday: 9:00AM to 2:00PM NEW PARISHIONERS Please introduce yourselves to Father Lamb CONVENT PHONE or Deacon Mike after Mass.
    [Show full text]
  • 2015 Spring Canticle
    Spring 2015 anticle of t. ertrude C S GA Journal of Our Life 2015 Theme: Celebrating the Year of Consecrated Life This issue: Commitment Living for a Mighty purpose A Message from Prioress Sister Clarissa Goeckner Commitment gets mixed reviews these days. There are those ready so they took shelter upstairs in the who see commitment as limiting possibilities and closing down former Matt’s Saloon, which was home options; others agree that commitment does indeed limit options for them for four months. From here but it also helps individuals to live with greater direction, focus the sisters settled in Uniontown, then and purpose. I love how George Bernard Shaw says it: “This is Colton, and finally made their way to the true joy of life: being used up for a purpose recognized by Cottonwood, Idaho, in April of 1909. yourself as a mighty one.” Celebrating the Year of Consecrated Through the determined commitment Life has given me the opportunity to reflect on the many ways in of Mother Hildegard Vogler, and the which those who live religious commitments find that “mighty sisters who accompanied her, for 106 purpose,” limit their options, and use up their lives making years prayers have gone out from this meaningful contributions to the world. monastery hilltop and their ministries of education, healthcare and Benedictine spirituality continue to embrace the needs of Our community story is built upon such commitments. The the people. Though in different form now, present ministries nuns of Engelberg, Switzerland, our foremothers, were founded continue to address the needs of our times.
    [Show full text]
  • St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
    oes A Walking Guide to 4826 M AINST STREET. JOHN ZACHARY THE, LA B70791APTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH 4727 McHugh Drive Zachary, LA 70791 Floor Plan St. John the Baptist 1. Entry and Vestibule Catholic Church 2. Nave 3. Crucifix 4. Altar of Sacrifice 5. High Altar 16 6. Pulpit 7. Marian Altar 8. First Station of the 15 7 Cross 5 9. Children’s Training 8 Rooms 4 7 10. St. Teresa Altar P 6 9 A 14 11. Sacred Heart of 2 O Jesus Altar B 12. St. John the Baptist Altar N 14 9 C 13. St. John Paul Altar 17 23 14. Confessionals 15. St. Joseph Altar 13 10 16. Sacristy and Vesting Room M D 17. Baptismal Font 18. Choir Loft L E 19. Bride’s Room 2 20. Usher’s Room K 2 F Stained Glass Windows J G A. St. John B. Garden of Gethsemane I 1 H C. St. Luke 12 11 D. Nativity E. Coronation of Mary 19 F. Crucifixion of Jesus G. Garden of 1 20 Gethsemane H. Finding of Jesus in the Temple I. Adoration of Magi 18 J. Wedding Feast of Cana N K. Jesus Meets His Mother L. Resurrection of W E Jesus M. St. Peter N. St. Mark O. Doubting Thomas S P. St. Matthew Quick Facts Groundbreaking: September 20, 2015 Architects: Ritter Maher Architects General contractor: Faulk & Meek, General Contractors First Mass and Dedication: April 30, 2017 Fifth site of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Neo-gothic cruciform shaped building 18,000 square feet Seats approximately 800 worshippers Church Furnishings: Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Syracuse, NY High Altar: 27 feet tall carved by E.
    [Show full text]
  • The Role and Status of the Catholic Church in the Church-State Relationship Within the Roman Empire from A.D
    Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 2009 The Role and Status of the Catholic Church in the Church-State Relationship Within the Roman Empire from A.D. 306 to 814 Jean Carlos Zukowski Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the Catholic Studies Commons, and the History of Christianity Commons Recommended Citation Zukowski, Jean Carlos, "The Role and Status of the Catholic Church in the Church-State Relationship Within the Roman Empire from A.D. 306 to 814" (2009). Dissertations. 174. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/174 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in the Andrews University Digital Library of Dissertations and Theses. Please honor the copyright of this document by not duplicating or distributing additional copies in any form without the author’s express written permission. Thanks for your cooperation. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary THE ROLE AND STATUS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE CHURCH-STATE RELATIONSHIP WITHIN THE ROMAN EMPIRE FROM A.D. 306 TO 814 A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by Jean Carlos Zukowski July 2009 TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ............................. viii Chapter I. INTRODUCTION ................................ 1 Background of the Problem ........................ 1 Statement of the Problem .......................... 4 Purpose .................................... 6 Justification for the Research .......................
    [Show full text]
  • Did You Know . . . Blessed Among Us: St. Walburga Judy Pearson
    Did you know . Blessed Among Us: St. Walburga St. Walburga was born in Devonshire, England around 710. She was the daughter of St. Richard the pilgrim, one of the under-kings of the West Saxons and Winna, sister of St. Boniface, the Apostle of Germany who traveled to convert the Saxons on the continent. Thus, St. Walburga was niece to St. Boniface. She had two brothers, St. Winibald and St. Willibald, making hers one of the saintliest families in English history. When St. Richard went on pilgrimage with his two sons to the Holy Land, St. Walburga, 11 years old at the time, was entrusted to the abbess of Wimborne and educated by the nuns of Wimborne Abbey. She remained there for 26 years, then joined her brothers and mother in Germany to help evangelize the pagans there. In 748, she was sent with St. Lioba to Germany to help St. Boniface in his missionary work. She spent two years at Bishofsheim, after which she became Abbess of the double monastery at Heidenheim founded by her brother Winibald. At the death of Winibald in 761, St. Walburga was appointed Abbess of both monasteries by her brother Willibald, who was then Bishop of Eichstadt. By this time, she became skilled in the medical arts and acquired a reputation as a gifted healer. This reputation continued after her death in 779, when an aromatic fluid, of supposed healing properties, flowed from a fissure in the rock on which her tomb rested. St. Walburga was buried first at Heidenheim, but later her body was interred next to that of her brother, St.
    [Show full text]
  • St. Willibald of Eichstatt Catholic.Net
    St. Willibald of Eichstatt Catholic.net Also known as • Willebald Memorial • 7 July • 9 July (in England, by concession of Pope Leo XIII) Profile Born a prince, the son of Saint Richard the King. Brother of Saint Winnebald of Heidenheim and Saint Walburga. Related to Saint Boniface. He nearly died as an infant, leading his parents to pray for his life, vowing that he would be dedicated to God if he survived. Entered the Abbey of Waltham, Hampshire, England at age five. Educated by Egwald. Benedictine monk. Pilgrim to Rome, Italy in 722 with Saint Richard and Saint Winnebald; his father died on the way, and Willibald suffered from malaria while there. Pilgrim to the Holy Lands in 724. He reached Jerusalem on 11 November 725, and is the first known Englishman in the Holy Land; the book of his travels, Hodoeporicon, is the first known English travelogue. Pilgrim to assorted holy sites throughout Europe. At one point he was arrested by Saracens at Emessa as a Christian spy, and imprisoned in Constantinople. Willibald then spent ten years helping Saint Petronax restore the monastery of Monte Cassino; served there as sacristan, dean, and porter. In 740 he was sent by Pope Gregory III to help Saint Boniface evangelize the area that is modern Germany. Ordained on 22 July 741 by Saint Boniface, and consecrated as a missionary bishop by him on 21 October 741. Founded a missionary monastery in Eichstätt, Franconia (in modern Germany. Worked with Saint Sebaldus. First bishop of the diocese of Eichstätt. With Saint Winnebald, he founded the double monastery at Hiedenheim in 752.
    [Show full text]