Saint of the Day: St. Virgil of Salzburg

Bishop (d. 784)

His life

+ Virgil was an Irish monk. Following a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, he made his way through France and Bavaria, where he established a monastery at Chiemsee.

+ Elected abbot of St. Peter’s Abbey in Salzburg, Virgil came into repeated conflict with the missionary-bishop Saint Boniface, who twice denounced Virgil to the pope; Virgil was cleared of the charges both times.

+ Around 766, Virgil was consecrated as bishop of Salzburg. He rebuilt the cathedral and sent many missionaries into Carenthia, a region that includes parts of modern-day Austria and Slovenia.

+ Saint Virgil died in 784 and was canonized in 1233.

For prayer and reflection

“No one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ.”—1 Corinthians 3:11

Spiritual bonus

On this day, the Franciscans celebrate the memorial of Saint Leonard of Port Maurice. A friar known for his preaching and devotion to the Stations of the Cross, Saint Leonard died in 1794 and was canonized in 1867. He is honored as the patron saint of parish missions.

Prayer

Look, O Lord, upon your family, which the Bishop blessed Virgil engendered by the Word of truth and fed with the Sacrament of life, that your grace, which has made them faithful through his ministry, may through his prayers make them fervent in charity. 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.

(from The Roman Missal: Common of Pastors—For Founders of Churches)

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.