SAINT LUDOLF AND BLESSED DRUTHMAR, ABBOTS - 13 AUGUST

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN AUGUST

Saints celebrated on the 13th of August

SAINT LUDOLPH AND BLESSED DRUTHMAR, ABBOTS

Saint Ludolf (Ludolfus) and Blessed Druthmar (Druthmarus) abbots of Corvey, enjoyed special veneration from the earliest times. 

Ludolf or Ludolph (also Luidolfus, Luidolphus, Luitolfus, Luitholfus, Luidulphus, Lieutholphus, Lindulfus) probably a son of Hoger, became abbot of Corvey Abbey in 965 or 966. He is the twelfth abbot in the line of succession. Under him the monastery and school of Corvey were in the most prosperous state, and many persons of high rank entrusted their sons to this institution. Ludolf chose only the most learned and virtuous men as teachers and he himself set the example of strict morals and holy discipline. 

His piety led him on a pilgrimage to Rome via Cologne. Emperor Otto II confirmed the abbey's privileges in 973. Saint Ludolf also enlarged the church at Godelheim in Westphalia and had his monastery surrounded by a high and strong wall. He ended his days on August 13, 983. The Bollandists* also mention him on June 15 (II. 1010) and on February 21 (III. 234), at the latter place with the (erroneous) year of death 993.

Blessed Druthmar (Dietmar, Druchmarus, Drutmarus, Druotmarus, Diethmarus, Theotmarus), a monk of Lorsch (monasterium Larshemense, Laurisheimense), was summoned to Corvey by

Meinwerk, bishop of Paderborn, with the approval of the holy Emperor Henry II, as successor to Abbot Walo (Welf), who had been deposed because of lax management of monastery discipline 

Druthmar was the one who secured the present and future prospects of the monastery by reacquiring the property Godelheim (in 1028). The standard and the conditions drastically improving, Druthmar did not neglect the spiritual side of things. Of great personal piety, he also promoted studies among his subordinates and liked to associate with learned men. He gradually won over the lax monks by his learning and zeal, and the community became renowned for its strict observance of monastic discipline. 

He attended the inauguration of the Kreuzkirche [Holy Cross Church] in Hildesheim, built by the holy bishop Godehard (Gotthard).

 Druthmar passed to his eternal reward on February 15, 1046. 

His cult developed together with that of Ludolf of Corvey, who had died in A.D. 983. The relics of both abbots were raised fifty years later by Abbot Marquard. 

These holy abbots are also commemorated on June 15.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 3, Augsburg, 1869, p. 916)

*A hagiography source used by the authors 

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Ludolf and the blessed Druthmar 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.