Here you see our window of the five Benedictine Women again. They have been accompanying us on our Lenten Journey. We have reflected on St. Hildegard and her legacy. She is the first one to the left in the window. The second on is St. Walburga. Note that she is holding an oil lamp in her hand.
St. Walburga was born in 710 A.D, the daughter of Richard, an under-king of the West Saxons of Britain. She went to school at Wimborne Monastery, Dorset, England, and later became a nun there. At the request of her uncle, Saint Boniface, the “Apostle of Germany”’ the Wimborne Monastery sent St. Walburga and other nuns to form monasteries in Germany. She spent four years in the monastery of Bischofsheim and later became abbess of the monastery of Heidenheim. The sisters dedicated themselves to praying the Divine Office, the prayer of the Church. Additionally, children were educated in the spirit of Saint Benedict and the poor and sick were helped and comforted.
St. Walburga was a leader during the early Christian years of the Germanic tribes. She is the patron saint of the diocese of Plymouth, England. The feast of St. Walburga is celebrated on the date of her death, February 25th. Her remains were transferred to St. Walburg Monastery in Eichstätt, to which the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia trace their roots.
Beginning in 893A.D. a liquid to which many cures are attributed began to flow from St. Walburga’s tomb yearly between October 12th and February 25th. This liquid became known as "Walburga's Oil", and was seen as a sign of her continuing intercession. The oil has always been collected and given to pilgrims. Healings attributed to St. Walburga's intercession continue to be reported up to the present day.
Her favorite Psalm verse was:
"To do your will is my delight; my God, your law is in my heart."
(Psalm 40:9)
St. Walburga was born in 710 A.D, the daughter of Richard, an under-king of the West Saxons of Britain. She went to school at Wimborne Monastery, Dorset, England, and later became a nun there. At the request of her uncle, Saint Boniface, the “Apostle of Germany”’ the Wimborne Monastery sent St. Walburga and other nuns to form monasteries in Germany. She spent four years in the monastery of Bischofsheim and later became abbess of the monastery of Heidenheim. The sisters dedicated themselves to praying the Divine Office, the prayer of the Church. Additionally, children were educated in the spirit of Saint Benedict and the poor and sick were helped and comforted.
St. Walburga was a leader during the early Christian years of the Germanic tribes. She is the patron saint of the diocese of Plymouth, England. The feast of St. Walburga is celebrated on the date of her death, February 25th. Her remains were transferred to St. Walburg Monastery in Eichstätt, to which the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia trace their roots.
Beginning in 893A.D. a liquid to which many cures are attributed began to flow from St. Walburga’s tomb yearly between October 12th and February 25th. This liquid became known as "Walburga's Oil", and was seen as a sign of her continuing intercession. The oil has always been collected and given to pilgrims. Healings attributed to St. Walburga's intercession continue to be reported up to the present day.
Her favorite Psalm verse was:
"To do your will is my delight; my God, your law is in my heart."
(Psalm 40:9)
This stained glass window (which is not in our monastery) shows her as healer. Several stories passed on to us depict her as a healer, especially of children.
This week reflect on what it means to be a healing presence to others. Have you ever experienced something like that? Maybe you just felt better after spending some time with a friend? Maybe somebody's calm presence helped you to cope with anxiety? Or what other examples come to mind?
This week reflect on what it means to be a healing presence to others. Have you ever experienced something like that? Maybe you just felt better after spending some time with a friend? Maybe somebody's calm presence helped you to cope with anxiety? Or what other examples come to mind?
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