AVA OF MELK, POET AND RECLUSE - 7 FEBRUARY

 

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Saints celebrated on the 7th of February

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AVA OF MELK, POET AND RECLUSE

"Frau Ava," also known as Ava of Göttweig or Ava of Melk (born around 1060; died probably February 7, 1127 near Melk or in Kleinwien near Göttweig), is one of the first German-speaking poets known by name.

"Frau Ava" ("Mrs. Ava") initially led a secular life, was married and gave birth to two sons (Hartmann and Heinrich). After becoming a widow, she retired to a monastery. 

In her poem "The Last Judgment" she talks about her sons and reveals her name.

The Last Judgment (excerpt)

Dizze buoch dihtôte zweier chinde muoter.

diu sageten ir disen sin, michel mandunge was under in,

der muoter wâren diu chint liep, der eine von der werlt sciet.

Nu bitte ich iuch gemeine, michel unde chleine,

swer dize buoch lese, daz er sîner sêle gnâden wunskende wese,

unde dem einen, der noch lebet unde der in den arbeiten strebet,

dem wunsket gnâden und der muoter, daz ist AVA.

Translation:

This book was written by the mother of two children.

They told her this meaning; there was great joy among them.

The mother loved the children, one of them left this world.

Now I ask all of you, big and small,

whoever reads this book, let him receive grace for his soul.

And to the one who is still alive, who strives onward by works,

wish grace to him and (also) to the mother, called AVA.

Frau Ava incorporated in her poetry the commentaries of Bede, Hrabanus Maurus [Rabanus Maurus] Alcuin, and others. The poems talk about the development, work and goal of the Christian church. She incorporates many motifs into her biblical poetry that were a feature in her time and have remained popular up to the present day (such as the ox and donkey at the manger), which are not recorded in the Bible itself.

The poet is commonly identified with an “Ava inclusa” (clauser), whose death was recorded on February 8, 1127 in several necrologies, including those of Melk Abbey (without any particular reason being given). From this we can conclude that she has a special significance as a person. If this entry actually refers to the poet, one can assume that after her husband's death she lived as a recluse either in the Lower Austrian Benedictine abbey of Göttweig, opposite Krems, or in Melk Abbey.

In Kleinwien near Göttweig, a residential tower (although it dates back to the late Middle Ages) is still called the “Avaturm”. The Church of Sankt Blasien [Saint Blaise] in Kleinwien is almost certainly built on the site of the small chapel that occupied this spot in the early 12th century.

Even though she is not officially canonised (i.e. not a saint), she is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church - her memorial day is February 7.

Source: https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ava_(poet)