SAINT GAMELBERT, PRIEST - 27 JANUARY

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN JANUARY

Saints celebrated on the 27th of January

SAINT GAMELBERT, PRIEST

A page of one of Fortunatus Hueber's
Saints' books,
"Stammenbuch..." (1693)

The name Gamelbert (Gamelbertus) is derived from the old German and means magnificent man.

Saint Gamelbert, also called Gamulbertus, Amelbertus or Amalbertus, was born to economically comfortable parents in Michaelsbuch (Fagetum) in Lower Bavaria (near Plattling, not far from Deggendorf, on the right bank of the Danube) at the beginning of the 8th century. Initially, at his father's request, he devoted himself to military service under King Pepin. Soon, however, he took up the spiritual armour, devoted himself with full zeal to science and prayer, and became a priest. 

As such he managed pastoral care in Michaelsbuch, where he had inherited the house from his father, in which he saw the light of day, together with the associated noble estate and the local church. For fifty years he served his subjects in faithful pastoral love. His gentleness is particularly remembered. When he could not reconcile quarreling factions, he often gave of his own property to the loser of any dispute, in order for everyone to be at peace. He even took pity on the little birds caught by the fowlers, bought them with his own money and released those feathered friends back into the wild. 

All the time that was not taken up by the exercise of priestly pastoral care, he dedicated to adoration near the tabernacle. He was not highly learned, but all the more zealous in the celebration of the holy Sacrifice of the Mass, in hearing the confessions and in dispensing the blessed Body and Blood of our Lord. 

In his old age he made a pilgrimage to Rome to the tombs of the apostles. On this journey he baptised a boy, to whom he gave the name Utto (Utho), prophesying that he would one day enjoy a great  reputation of holiness. According to others, this boy, originally from Italy, just turned up one day at the pious man's dwelling in Michaelsbuch, where the latter kindly received him in his solitude and lovingly cared for him. 

What is certain is that this Utto became his heir and successor as pastor in Michaelsbuch, but then, during the devastating war which Emperor Charlemagne waged against the Avars supporting Duke Thassilo, fled to a wilderness beyond the Danube, where Emperor Charlemagne found him and gave him the means to build the monastery of Metten, of which he became the first abbot. 

Gamelbert passed to his eternal reward at the end of the 8th century, around the year 787, at the time when Charlemagne fought the perjuring Thassilo II and forced him into subjection. According to Butler* (XIX. 243), Saint Gamelbert died on January 27 around the year 800. (II. 783.)

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 2, Augsburg, 1861, pp. 351-52)

*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 Gamelbert 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.