ST ZWENTIBOLD, KING AND CONFESSOR

ST ZWENTIBOLD, KING AND CONFESSOR - 13 AUGUST

SAINT ZWENTIBOLD, KING AND CONFESSOR

Saint Zwentibold, from the
Chronicon Universale,
a 12th-century manuscript

On August 13 we commemorate Saint Zwentibold (Zwenteboldus). This holy king and confessor, also called Swatopluk and Zuentibold, was the son of Arnulf, King of Germany and Lorraine, and Ellimar [Vinburge].

In 896, he was appointed King of Lorraine by his father at the assembly of princes in Worms, or rather, in Tribur. He ruled his kingdom with the utmost conscientiousness and won the love of his subjects. He had the churches and monasteries (some of which had been burned down and others defiled by the fury of the Normans), cleaned and rebuilt, and populated them with pious communities. His favourite religious institute was the Abbey of Susteren, which held many holy relics. In fact, he is considered its second founder.

In this convent, Amalberga, the abbess, shone brightly with all virtues - a splendid role model for all her sisters in Christ. After the death of his wife, the holy king entrusted his three daughters to Amalberga's guidance, who educated them and led them on the path to perfection. The two eldest, Benedicta and Cecilia, took their vows at Susteren and, after Amalberga's death, were successively elected abbesses; the youngest, Relindis, settled in a secluded place near Liège, where she remained as a recluse in holy contemplation until her blessed end. Benedicta and Cecilia were buried in the convent of Susteren and are venerated there on August 17th.

Through his generosity towards churches and monasteries, the pious King Zwentibold had incurred the displeasure of some ill-disposed individuals, at whose head stood a certain Reginar (Rugener), whom the king had formerly honoured with his complete trust and appointed his chief advisor at the time. After discovering Reginar's true colours, the king deposed him from his office and banished him from the land. Following several clashes, the band of disgruntled aristocrats deprived the king of his sceptre and his life in the year 900; but he was more than amply compensated for this with the unfading crown of eternal glory. Buried in Susteren, Saint Zwentibold's feast day, August 13, is particularly celebrated in the Lower Rhine region.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 5, Augsburg, 1882)

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Zwentibold 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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