SAINT FEAST DAY 8 AUGUST: ST RATHARDUS, PRIEST

SAINT RATHARDUS OF DIESSEN, PRIEST

Saint Rathardus, of noble parentage, was a brother of the Bishop Hanto of Augsburg. He forwent all benefits of his station, renounced the world, and became a priest.

A PRIEST, HE USED HIS INHERITANCE TO BUILD A CHURCH

Saint Rathardus used his inheritance to build a church dedicated to Saint George. In 815 he founded a monastery for priests who lived according to the rule of Saint Augustine. His blissful death occurred around the year 820 or 825.

HIS RELICS WERE TRANSLATED

In his humility he had demanded that he be buried in a corner of the monastery church he had built. The many miracles that happened at his grave are a sign of the holiness of this transfigured priest.

In 1114 the provost Hartwig had the bones of Saint Rathardus translated to the middle of the new church. The church was consecrated on August 8, 1114 with the permission of Bishop Walter of Augsburg by Bishop Anselm of Havelburg.

THE NEW CHURCH WAS CONSECRATED IN AUGUST 1114

In 1494 a second new building was erected, and Saint Rathardus' relics were buried on the middle altar of St George's Church. As the veneration of the saint still grew, his bones were transferred from Saint George's Church to the monastery church on August 8, 1620 and placed on the high altar for veneration. He is often portrayed carrying the church he built in his hands.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 5, Augsburg, 1882)

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Rathardus may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Sources of these articles (in the original German): books.google.co.uk, de-academic.com, zeno.org, openlibrary.org

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