ST ADALBERO OF LAMBACH, BISHOP OF WÜRZBURG - 6 OCTOBER

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN OCTOBER 

Saints celebrated on the 6th of October

WELCOME!

SAINT ADALBERO OF LAMBACH, BISHOP OF WÜRZBURG 

St Adalbero was born around 1010 of the powerful family of Lambach-Wels. He was elected bishop of Würzburg on June 30, 1045. He devoted himself particularly to the restoration of discipline and the development of monasteries. 

At the synods of Mainz and Worms (1076), in which the emperor Henry IV intended to elect a new pope against Gregory VII, he broke with Henry IV. It is said, in fact, that already in January 1076 among the bishops gathered in Worms, Adalbero together with Hermann of Metz, stood up to protest against the open violation of juridical forms, which was being perpetrated in that assembly. Henry IV, for his part, induced to better advice by the opposition of bishops and princes, tried to save himself with the reconciliation of Canossa (1077). 

The ensuing political turmoil resulted in Adalbero being exiled. Adalbero preferred exile, in order to remain faithful to the pope. Eventually he was invited to the abbey of Lambach, where he spent his last years, considered a champion of the papacy in Germany, in the same way that Altmann of Passau and Gebhard of Constance, his friends, who, however, younger than him, could actively influence the development of events in those years.

Adalbero died on October 6, 1090. His Life, with the narration of his miracles, was composed by an anonymous monk from Lambach around 1205. A document of the 12th century which concerns concessions of indulgences, proves the saint's reputation for holiness, as the church of Lambach is called the "blessed" Adalbero. Eventually, his cult was approved in 1883 by Leo XIII: his feast is celebrated on October 6, and a transfer of relics on September 16. 

Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, 1858

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Adalbero 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.