ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MARCH
Saints celebrated on the 4th of March
VENERABLE BURCHARD, ABBOT OF ST GALL
Burchard [Burkhard] (Burcardus), second abbot of the monastery of Saint Gall in Switzerland, took over the government of that monastery in A.D. 1007 under most unfavourable circumstances; but he was sent by God like a second Moses to save and improve this institute.
Unfortunately, some years later, Emperor Henry II (Heinrich II), in 1022, [compelled all free men and landowners capable of bearing arms to join his military campaign - the so-called Heerbann]. This campaign snatched away Burchard's beloved father. Indeed, Henry's knights returned victorious from Italy, from which the Greeks had been expelled; but an illness broke out among the army during the retreat, which also cost Venerable Burchard his life. He died on March 4, 1023 and was buried at Frankenmünster. At his tomb, several miracles took place at his intercession, testifying to his holiness. Nevertheless, Mabillon* lists him only as a "Venerable." (Mab.)
(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 1, Augsburg, 1858, p. 524))
*A hagiography source used by the authors
Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations
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