SAINT OTHMAR OF ST GALLEN - ABBOT

SAINT OTHMAR OF ST GALLEN - ABBOT - 16 NOVEMBER

SAINT OTHMAR OF ST GALLEN, ABBOT

Descended from a noble family, Saint Othmar (Otmar, Audemarus and Automarus) of St Gallen [Switzerland] was pastor of the church of St Florin, Ramünsch at first.

Appointed abbot of St Gall (custos S. Gallunis) by Carl Martell at the instigation of Count Waldram and confirmed by Bishop Boso in A.D. 720, he exchanged his secular priestly attire for that of the monastic . With a firm hand he ordered the administration of the goods, the discipline and the premises in the manner of a regular monastery. He also established a hospice for lepers and also occasionally got involved in their care for love of neighbour's sake.

He chastened his body by frequent fasting, and armed with this shield against temptations, he held nightly vigils and restrained any potential distractions by his spirit of constant prayer.

A while later, some powerful people hatched a plot to remove him from his post in order to give the abbacy to one of their relations. Thus the holy abbot was publicly accused of adultery. A false witness was procured who testified that he knew a woman who has since died and who assured him of this affair. Thereupon Othmar was sentenced and locked away at Bodmann Castle on Lake Constance. Later, the innocent prisoner was moved to the Rhine island of Werd where he died on November 16, 759.

Less than a year later, the instigator of the plot against Abbot Othmar died of dysentery, and the man who had given the false testimony became paralyzed from the neck down. He then repented and publicity revoked his false statement.

St Othmar's tomb in St Peter's Chapel was glorified by miracles. His authentic relics are still kept and venerated at the cathedral of St Gallen.

St Othmar is also commemorated on April 15 and October 25.

Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 4, Augsburg, 1875

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

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

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