BL. MERBOD, MARTYR - 11 SEPTEMBER

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN SEPTEMBER

Saints celebrated on the 11th of September

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BLESSED MERBOD, MARTYR

Blessed Merbod lived and worked in Alberschwandern in the Bregenzerwald, which until recently belonged to the bishopric of Constanz. His is also called [Merbot] Marbedus, Marbettus, Merboth and Marbottus. He descended from the Counts of Bregenz. His brother was the blessed Diedo, prior in Andelspuch. His sister's name was Hiltta (Ilga), who served the Lord in Schwarzenberg, not far from her brother. 

Merbod first became a monk in the famous, now reviving, monastery of Mehrerau (Augia major), a quarter of an hour from Bregenz, but later withdrew to the mountains, with the permission of the abbot, to live as a hermit and to guide the souls of those around. In this sense, he worked as a pastor "and educated many people through word and example for the kingdom of heaven." 

One day he was found murdered in his cell. It is not specified who the culprits were; the correct, but not clear, expression is used for this: criminal people (scelerati). The people immediately honoured him as a martyr. He died around the year 1120. (III. 888–890).

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 4, Augsburg, 1875, p. 81)

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of the blessed Merbod 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.

Sources of these articles (in the original German): books.google.co.uk, de-academic.com, zeno.org, openlibrary.org