Today, January 6, we celebrate
the fest of Saint Erminold of Prüffening (died, 1121), abbot and martyr for the
faith. Saint Erminold was a Benedictine
abbot, who maintained such strictness in his monastery, that he was slain by
one of his own lay brothers. His life
is an example of order and devotion, in a troubled world. He is famed for his spirit of prayer and
charity for the poor and needy.
Erminold was born to one of the
royal families in Swabia (one of the
four original provinces of Germany), and was given to the abbot of Hirschau, a
local monastery, to be educated. His tutor, William, was one of the most
learned and pious men of those times, and Erminold flourished under his
tutelage, by the grace of God. He made
rapid progress in his studies, and upon completion, promptly took the vows of
monastic life. There, he lived a life
of quiet devotion and strict adherence to community rules.
In 1110, Erminold was appointed
Abbot of the Monastery at Lorch by Emperor Hney V. However, as the Emperor owed Erminold’s brother a favor, he
refused the position, given the appearance of simony (the buying or selling of
ecclesiastical positions, or profit from sacred things). Returning to Hirschau, he resumed his quiet
life.
Only seven years later, the
Bishop of Bamberg, invited Erminold to assume the abbotship of the Abbey at
Pruffening, near Ratisbon, Germany. He
became the first father there, attracting new members and growing the
congregation in the faith.
Saint Erminold was a great
friend of the poor. Upon assuming leadership at Pruffening, Erminold emptied
all the storehouses of his monastery to feed the needy during a famine. When at
length nothing was left to feed his monks, the saintly man
begged God to intervene, and invoked the intercession of the martyr,
Saint George. His prayers were answered when the next day a rich
noble came to the abbot, promising to relieve their want from his own wealth.
Saint Erminold insisted on
strict discipline, according to the Rule of Saint Benedict. While the majority of his community lived in
harmony, some lay brothers took offense at his strictness, and in 1121, one
named Aaron killed him. It is said by
some that he was beaten with a piece of timber, whereas other accounts indicate
he was stabbed. All accounts agree that
following his mortal wound, he lingered in life for a few days, passing into
Heaven on Epiphany at the hour he had predicted. He had stated, “Tomorrow,
during the solemnities of the greater Mass, with the choir singing,
‘Glory to God in the highest,’ I shall depart from this world.” Following his death, a large number of
miracles were recorded at his tomb at St. George Church at Prüffening Abbey in Regensburg, Germany
Throughout
2013, I will be posting the prayer requests received from the previous week on
Sundays. Please join me in lifting
these intentions to Our Lord, through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother.
Prayer
requests, 2013: Week 1:
For
healing of a brain disorder (J, United Kindgom); Improved relationship with the
Lord, increased faith and grace (E, Finland); For a family’s successful
reconciliation (M, USA-MA); Health, safety, and protection (J, Ireland); Healing of an ill husband, blessings upon a
daughter’s family (S, India); For financial security and protection (P, India);
Blessings and health, financial security (J, Oman).
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