Saints celebrated on the 17th of May
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SAINT BRUNO, BISHOP OF WÜRZBURG
Saint Bruno died on May 27; he is listed in the Roman Martyrology on May 17. Bruno, Bishop of Würzburg, was a son of Conrad, Duke of Carinthia, and Countess Mathilda, of the House of Querfurt and Mansfeld, and nephew of Saint Bruno, Bishop and Apostle of the Russians and Prussians, whom he is said to have been named after. Quite a few details of his life are shrouded in mystery. We know, however, that, because of his high virtues, he was elevated to the episcopal see of Würzburg [Germany] in 1033 and that he oversaw his flock with wisdom and true pastoral zeal for more than eleven years. The Cathedral of St Kilian is still the most beautiful monument to his pastoral zeal and active piety. When he was forced to travel to Hungary with Emperor Henry III, known as the Henry the Black, in 1045, and was staying with him at Rosenburg Castle not far from Ips [Ybbs] on the Danube, the floor of the hall suddenly collapsed during a meal, leaving our saint so badly injured that he could not even be carried out of the castle. Seven days later, he died as a result of this accident, which had occurred on the night of May 20th.
His body was brought to Würzburg and buried with great ceremony in the cathedral church, whose founder he had been. An epitaph to that effect was dedicated to him. For the first fifty years after his death, our saint appears to have enjoyed no public veneration; but when, in 1202 and 1203, all of Germany resounded with the fame of the miracles performed at his tomb, Pope Gregory IX ordered an investigation in 1239, which was not concluded until Innocent IV (since Gregory IX died in 1241 and his successor, Celestine IV, reigned for only 18 days). It is believed that Innocent IV canonized our Bruno. In 1699, his remains were solemnly raised and exposed to public veneration. The Roman Martyrology* records Bruno on May 17, although he died on May 27. The Diocese of Würzburg also celebrates his feast day on May 17.
(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 1, Augsburg, 1858, pp. 519-20)
*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 Bruno 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
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