Abbot (554-617)

His life

+ Wendel (or Wendelin) was born around the year 554. The son of a Scottish noble, he abandoned his home and family to live as a hermit in the forest near Westerich, Germany.

+ Tradition relates that when Wendel was on pilgrimage to the shrines in Trier he met a highwayman who hired him to work as a shepherd. Desiring to return to his life of solitude, he eventually built a hermitage near Trier.

+ In 597, the monks of the Abbey of Tholey invited Wendel to serve as their abbot. After nearly twenty years of service to that community, he died in 617.

+ One of the most popular saints of Germany, Saint Wendel is honored as the patron of Trier and of shepherds.

For prayer and reflection

“With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones.”—Ephesians 6:18

Prayer

Grant us, O Lord, that amid the uncertainties of this world we may cling with all our heart to the things of heaven, for through the Abbot blessed Wendel you have given us a model of evangelical perfection. 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 Holy Men and Women—For an Abbot)

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