Saint
Rupert depicted with a barrel of salt in his hand
Ölbild
aus dem Mittelalter. Darstellung des Heilgen Rupert von Salzburg mit dem
Salzfass in der Hand
Изображение
св. Руперта Зальцбургского
Saint Robert ou Rupert
de Salzbourg, évêque
Moine bénédictin et
évêque de Worms, le duc de Bavière Théodon II le fait venir pour évangéliser sa
contrée. Il fonde en Bavière plusieurs abbayes et églises dont celle de
Salzbourg, dont il devint l’évêque et où il fut été inhumé en 718. La tradition
lui attribue le développement de l’extraction de sel, qui est la richesse de la
région.
Saint Rupert de Salzbourg
Évêque (+ 718)
Rupert ou Robert de
Hrodbert.
Il appartenait à la
famille royale mérovingienne, ce pourquoi il fut choisi comme évêque de Worms
en Rhénanie. Quand il en fut chassé, il partit évangéliser la Bavière et
fonda le monastère Saint Pierre de Salzbourg, ville dont il devint l'évêque et
en reste le patron.
- Conférence
épiscopale d'Autriche - site en allemand : Le diocèse de Salzburg a
été fondé au VIIe siècle grâce aux efforts de Saint Rupert (vers 650-718)
- Archidiocèse
de Salzburg - site en allemand
Un internaute nous
communique:
"(Du Germanique:
«Hrod»: «Gloire» et «Berht»: «Illustre»)
C'est le père spirituel
de l'Autriche. Rupert était abbé de Salzbourg; il évangélisa le peuple, mais il
prêta un grand respect à la culture autochtone. C'est sous l'impulsion des
moines de Rupert que le développement minier de la région prit son essor. Saint
Rupert est ordinairement représenté avec un baril de sel, pour rappeler
l'impulsion qu'il a donné à l'exploitation de sel de la région."
À Salzbourg en Bavière,
vers 718, saint Rupert, évêque. D’abord établi à Worms, il gagna la Bavière à
la demande du duc Théodon, fit construire une église et un monastère dans
l’ancienne place forte romaine de Juvavum, qu’il gouverna comme évêque et abbé,
et d’où il diffusa la foi chrétienne.
Martyrologe romain
SOURCE : http://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/6346/Saint-Rupert-de-Salzbourg.html
Saint
Rupert (église Sainte-Catherine de Dornbach)
Head
of a Gothic style statue of Saint Rupert
Filialkirche
hl. Katharina in Dornbach Detail der gotischen Bischofsstatue Hl. Rupert
nach erfolgter Restaurierung: Die aus der Barockzeit stammende Vergoldung und
Versilberung befand sich in einem sehr schlechten Zustand. Durch Feuchtigkeit
und Wasserschäden gab es erhebliche Abplatzungen und Zerstörungen. Übermalungen
aus den 1940er Jahren wurden entfernt. Die freigelegte und ausretuschierte
Zweitfassung stammt vermutlich aus der Zeit des Frühbarock.
Évêque, Saint
+ vers 710
27 mars
Rupert, issu du sang
royal de France, s'exerça, dès sa jeunesse, à la pratique du jeûne, des veilles
et de plusieurs autres sortes de mortifications : il était aussi un
modèle de chasteté, de tempérance et de charité envers les pauvres. Son nom
devint si célèbre, qu'on venait le consulter de toutes parts. Il éclaircissait
les doutes qu'on lui proposait, consolait les affligés, et guérissait les
maladies des corps et des âmes. Un mérite si distingué le fit élever sur le
siège épiscopal de Worms : mais les habitants de ce diocèse, dont la plupart
étaient encore idolâtres, ne purent souffrir un pasteur dont l'éminente
sainteté condamnait leurs désordres ; ils l'accablèrent d'outrages, et le
chassèrent de la manière la plus indigne.
Théodon, duc de Bavière
invita le Saint à venir dans son pays. Rupert arriva à Ratisbonne en 697, et y
fut reçu par le duc et par sa cour avec la plus grande distinction. Ayant
trouvé partout des cœurs dociles, il ralluma le flambeau de la foi, éteint par
les superstitions et par les hérésies qui s'étaient élevées depuis la mort de
saint Séverin. Il convertit Ragrintrude, sœur de Théodon, et cette conversion
fut suivie de celle du duc et de toute la Bavière. Dieu autorisa, par plusieurs
miracles, la doctrine que prêchait le saint missionnaire. Le zèle de Rupert
porta aussi la lumière de l'évangile chez les nations voisines.
Le Saint continua ses
prédications à Lorch et à Juvave. Il établit son siège épiscopal dans cette
dernière ville. Elle était alors presque entièrement ruinée ; mais on
la rebâtit, et elle prit le nom de Salzbourg. Le duc Théodon y fit beaucoup
d'embellissements, avec de riches donations, qui mirent le Saint en état de
fonder un grand nombre d'églises et de monastères. Théodebert ou Diotper,
héritier de la piété de son père, augmenta considérablement les revenus de
l'église de Salzbourg.
Saint Rupert fit un
voyage en France, dans le dessein de se procurer des missionnaires capables de
le seconder dans ses travaux apostoliques : il en emmena douze, avec sainte
Erentrude, sa nièce. Celle-ci ayant fait à Dieu le sacrifice de sa virginité,
il lui donna le gouvernement du monastère de Numberg, dont il était fondateur.
Il mourut quelques années après, le jour de Pâques, qui tombait cette année le
27 Mars. Il venait de dire la messe et de prêcher. Il est nommé en ce
jour dans les martyrologes. En Autriche et en Bavière, on fait sa principale
fête le 25 Septembre. C'est le jour d'une des translations de ses
reliques, que l'on voit à Salzbourg, dans l'église qui porte son nom.
SOURCE : Alban
Butler : Vie des Pères, Martyrs et autres principaux Saints… – Traduction :
Jean-François Godescard.
SOURCE : http://saints-et-bienheureux.blogspot.ca/2011_03_01_archive.html
Etching
of Saint Rupert by Bock after Johann Wolfgang Baumgartner
St Rupert de Salzbourg
(+ 718)
Apparenté selon la tradition
aux mérovingiens, il était évêque de Worms vers 697 quand il partit évangéliser
la Bavière. Il y baptisa le duc Théodon de Bavière, ce qui lui permit de
continuer à prêcher et à convertir les populations sur une large zone autour du
Danube. Il reçut en 699 en cadeau de la part du duc de Bavière les restes
ruinés de la ville de Salzbourg, alors appelée Juvavum. Il y promut les mines
de sel qui donnèrent à la ville son nouveau nom.
Il est considéré comme
l'apôtre de la Bavière, de la Carinthie et de l'Autriche.
SOURCE : http://www.peintre-icones.fr/PAGES/CALENDRIER/Mars/27.html
Wall
mural of Saint Rupert as Ecclesiae Fundator, Founder of the Church
Also
known as
Rupert of Worms
Hrodbert of…
Hrodperht of…
Hrodpreht of…
Robert of…
Roudbertus of…
Rudbertus of…
Ruprecht of…
Apostle of Salzburg
Apostle to Austria
Apostle to Bavaria
Apostle to Carinthia
24
September on some calendars
Profile
Relative of Saint Ermentrude. Benedictine. Bishop of Worms, Germany. Evangelist to
southern Germany.
In 696 Theodo, Duke of Bavaria,
gave him the ruined town of Iuvavum, which Rupert rebuilt. There he founded
the monastery of
Saint Peter, serving as its first abbot,
and a Benedictine convent.
Worked with Saint Chuniald, Saint Vitalis
of Salzburg, and Saint Gislar.
To support the houses and his missionary work,
he promoted the mining of
salt, which led to the renaming of the place as Salzburg (salt
mountain). Bishop of Salzburg.
Considered a confessor of
the faith.
Born
probably in France
Salzburg, Austria,
province of
man holding a container
of salt (refers to Salzburg and the salt mining there)
Additional
Information
Book
of Saints, by the Monks of
Ramsgate
Lives
of the Saints, by Father Alban
Butler
Roman Martyrology
Saints
of the Day, by Katherine Rabenstein
Saints
of the Order of Saint Benedict, by Father Aegedius
Ranbeck, O.S.B.
books
Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
other
sites in english
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video
webseiten
auf deutsch
sitios
en español
Martirologio Romano, 2001 edición
fonti
in italiano
websites
in nederlandse
MLA
Citation
“Saint Rupert of
Salzburg“. CatholicSaints.Info. 28 September 2022. Web. 19 April 2023.
<https://catholicsaints.info/saint-rupert-of-salzburg/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-rupert-of-salzburg/
_Der_heilige_Rupertus_und_ein_Engel.jpg)
École
de Paul Troger. Saint Rupert et un ange au ciel
de la ville de Salzbourg, xviiie siècle
St. Rupert
(Alternative forms,
Ruprecht, Hrodperht, Hrodpreht, Roudbertus, Rudbertus, Robert, Ruprecht).
First Bishop of Salzburg,
contemporary of Childebert III, king of the Franks (695-711), date of
birth unknown; d. at Salzburg, Easter
Sunday, 27 March, 718. According to an old tradition, he was a scion of
the Frankish Merovingian family.
The assumption of 660 as the year of his birth is merely legendary. According
to the oldest short biographical notices in the "Mon. Germ. Script.",
XI, 1-15, Rupert was noted for simplicity, prudence,
and the fear of God;
he was a lover of truth in
his discourse, upright in opinion, cautious in counsel, energetic in action,
far-seeing in his charity, and in all his conduct a glorious model of
rectitude. While he was Bishop of
Worms, the fame of his learning and piety drew
many from far and wide. The report of the bishop's ability
reached Duke Theodo II of Bavaria,
who had placed himself at the head of the current ecclesiastical movement
in Bavaria.
Theodo sent Rupert messengers with the request that, he should come to Bavaria to
revive, confirm, and propagate the spirit of Christianity there.
Despite the work of early missionaries, Bavaria was
only superficially Christian;
its very Christianity was
indeed to some extent Arian,
while heathen customs
and views were most closely interwoven with the external Christianity which
it had retained. St. Rupert acceded to Theodo's request, after he had by
messengers made himself familiar with the land and people of Bavaria.
St. Rupert was received with great honour and ceremony by
Theodo in the old residential town of Ratisbon (696).
He entered immediately upon his apostolic labours, which extended from the
territory of the Danube to the borders of Lower Pannonia, and upon his
missionary journey came to Lorch. Thence he travelled to the lonely shores of
the Wallersee, where he built a church in honour of
Saint Peter, thereby laying the foundation of the present market-town of
Seekirchen in the Newmarket district of Salzburg.
From the Roman colony there Rupert obtained an account of the ancient Roman
town of Juvavum, upon the site of which there still remained many more or less
dilapidated buildings, overgrown with briars and brushwood.
Having personally
verified the accuracy of this account concerning the place and position, Rupert
requested Theodo, in the interests of his apostolic mission to the country, to
give him the territory of Juvavum (which was still a place of considerable
commerce) for the erection of a monastery and
an episcopal
see. The duke granted this petition, bequeathing the territory of Juvavum
(the modern Salzburg),
two square miles in area, to St. Rupert and his successors. At the foot of the
precipice of the Monchberg, where once St. Maximus, a disciple of St. Severin,
had suffered martyrdom with
his companions (476), St. Rupert erected the first church in Salzburg,
the Church of St. Peter, in honour of
the Prince of the Apostles, as well as a monastery.
Upon the lofty prominences (Nonnberg) to the southeast of the town, where the
old Roman fortress once towered, he established a convent of nuns which,
like the monastery of
the Mönchberg, he placed under the protection and Rule
of St. Benedict. To set his institutions upon a solid basis, Rupert
repaired home, and returned with twelve companions besides his niece Ehrentraud
(Erindruda), whom he made abbess over
the Benedictine Convent
of Nonnberg, while he with his twelve companions formed the first congregation
of the famous Benedictine Monastery
of St. Peter at Salzburg,
which remains to the present day. St. Rupert thenceforth devoted himself
entirely to the work of salvation and
conversion which he had already begun, founding in connection therewith many
churches and monasteries —
e.g., Maxglan, near Salzburg,
Maximilianszelle (now Bischofshofen in Pongau), Altotting, and others. After a
life of extraordinarily successful activity, he died at Salzburg,
aided by the prayers of
his brethren in the order; his body reposed in the St. Peterskirche until 24
Sept., 774, when his disciple and successor, Abbot-Bishop St. Virgil, had a
portion of his remains removed to the cathedral.
On 24 Sept., 1628, these relics were interred by
Archbishop Paris von
Ladron (1619-54) under the high
altar of the new cathedral.
Since then the town and district of Salzburg solemnize
the feast of St. Rupert, Apostle of Bavaria and
Carlnthia, on 24 September.
In Christian
art St. Rupert is portrayed with a vessel of salt in his hand,
symbolizing the universal tradition according to which Rupert inaugurated
salt-mining at Salzburg;
this portrayal of St. Rupert is generally found upon the coins of
the Duchy of Salzburg and
Carinthia. St. Rupert is also represented baptizing Duke
Theodo; this scene has no historical foundation. St. Rupert was the first
Abbot-Bishop of Salzburg,
for, as he established his foundations after the manner of the Irish monks,
he combined in his own person the
dignities of abbot and bishop.
A similar combination of dignities existed also in Ratisbon and
Freising. This twofold character of the bishop continued
in Salzburg for
nearly 300 years until the separation of the dignities was effected in 987 by
Archbishop Friedrich I of Salzburg,
Count of Chiemgau, the twenty-first Abbot of
the Monastery of St. Peter. The period of St. Rupert's activity was until very
lately a matter of great discussion. Formerly the opinion was held that the end
of the fifth and beginning of the sixth centuries was the age of his missionary
work, but, according to the most exhaustive and reliable investigations, the
late seventh and early eighth centuries formed the period of his activity. This
fact is established especially by the "Breves notitiae
Salzburgenses", a catalogue of the donations made to the Church
of Salzburg, with notices from the ninth century. In these latter Bishop
St. Virgil, whose ministry is referred to 745-84, appears as a direct disciple
of St. Rupert. It is forthwith evident that the assumption of the end of the
sixth and beginning of the seventh centuries as the period of Rupert's activity
is extremely doubtful,
even apart from the fact that this view also involves the rejection of the
catalogue of the bishops of Salzburg and
of Easter
Sunday as the day of Rupert's death. Many churches and places bearing
Rupert's name, serve as surviving memorials of his missionary activity. A
successor of St. Rupert, the present scholarly Abbot of
St. Peters in Salzburg,
Willibald Hauthaler, has written an interesting work upon this subject entitled
"Die dem hl. Rupertus Apostel von Bayern geweihten Kirchen und
Kapellen" (with map, Salzburg, 1885).
Schmid, Ulrich. "St.
Rupert." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 13. New York: Robert Appleton
Company, 1912. 26 Mar. 2015
<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13229a.htm>.
Transcription. This
article was transcribed for New Advent by Charlie Martin.
Ecclesiastical
approbation. Nihil Obstat. February 1, 1912. Remy Lafort, D.D.,
Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York.
Copyright © 2021 by Kevin Knight.
Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
SOURCE : http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13229a.htm
Glasscheibe
Hl. Rupert, 1529
Mar 27 – St Rupert (d.
718)
27 March, 2012
Summary: St Rupert
belonged by birth to the Franco-Merovingian royal household. He may have
been influenced by the Irish monks who came to the continent under Columbanus.
He gained a reputation for holiness while preaching at Worms on the
Rhine towards the end of the seventh century.
Patrick Duffy tells
his story.
The image left shows a postage stamp depicting a
statue of St. Rupert, the founder and first bishop of the city of Salzburg. In
his hand he is holding a salt bucket as he had promoted salt-mining and the
salt trade: Salz is the German word for salt, so Salzburg is Salt Castle. The
statue was created by Franz Hitzl around 1778 for the high-altar of the church
of St. Peter’s Abbey in Salzburg.
A missionary in Bavaria
Theodo, Duke of Bavaria, hearing of Rupert’s reputation for
holiness, invited him to come to Bavaria to instruct his people in
the faith and to revive, confirm, and propagate the spirit of Christianity
there. Despite the work of early missionaries, Bavaria was only superficially
Christian; its very Christianity was indeed to some extent Arian,
while pagan customs and attitudes were closely interwoven with
the Christianity which it had retained. Rupert accepted, and in
696 baptised Theodo and his household in the town of Ratisbon
(Regensburg). He had some success in restoring the region to Christianity. In
the following years, under the patronage of Theodo and his son Theodobert,
Rupert preached throughout Bavaria, and succeeded in converting or re-converting all
that region.
A missionary in Salzburg
Rupert asked Theodo for permission to build a church at the ruined ancient
Roman town of Iuvavum.
Theodo agreed, and Rupert founded the abbey of St.
Peter with a school and a church attached at Mönchberg. He
also set up a convent at Nonnburg, where his niece, Erentrude, became the
abbess. They are the oldest continuing monastery and convent in the
German-speaking world. Around the monks and nuns who accepted Rupert’s call
grew up the town which Rupert re-named “Salzburg” or “Salt Castle”, deriving
its name from the barges carrying salt on the Salzach river.
His death and influence
Rupert combined in his own person the dignities of abbot and
bishop. His remains were interred in a crypt in St. Peter’s Church. Rupert
is often depicted carrying a bag or barrel of salt. The Irish monk St
Virgil (Feargal) came to Salzburg in 767. Between that and 774 the
cathedral was built there and was later dedicated to St Rupert and St
Virgil. St Rupert is revered as the Apostle of Bavaria and Austria.
SOURCE : https://www.catholicireland.net/saintoftheday/st-rupert-d-718/
Rupert of Salzburg, OSB B (RM)
(also known as Hrodbert, Robert, Rupprecht)
Died in Salzburg, Austria, on March 27, c. 710-720; feast day formerly March
27; feast of the translation of his relics is kept in Bavaria and Austria on
September 25.
There have been varying opinions as to where Rupert was born and when (with
variations of 100 years). While more reliable sources make him a Frankish
nobleman, others, including Colgan insist he was an Irishman with the Gaelic
name Robertach. From his youth he was renowned for his learning, extraordinary
virtues, austerity, and charity that sought to impoverish himself to enrich the
poor. People came from remote provinces to receive his advice. He would remove
all their doubts and scruples, comfort the afflicted, cure the sick, and heal
the disorders of souls. His virtuous life led to him being consecrated bishop
of Worms, Germany, from where he began his missionary work in southern Bavaria
and Austria. (One version says he was expelled by the pagans at Worms, others
that he was simply a zealous, evangelical Christian.)
Rupert travelled to Regensburg (Ratisbon) with a small company about 697,
perhaps with credentials from the French King Childebert III, or because Duke
Theodo of Bavaria had heard of his reputation for miracles and invited him.
They went to Duke Theodo, whose permission they needed to proceed. While Theodo
was not a Christian, his sister, Bagintrude, is said to have been one. He
agreed to listen to their preaching and was converted and baptized. Many of the
leading men and women of the land followed the duke's example and embraced
Christianity, which had been preached there 200 years earlier by Saint
Severinus of Noricum.
Instead of knocking down pagan temples, as many missionaries did, Rupert
preferred to consecrate them as Christian churches. For example, those at
Regensburg and Altötting were soon altered for Christian services. (It is said
that the statue of the Blessed Mother at Altötting was brought there from
Ireland by an Irishman named Rupert.) Where there was no suitable temple to
adapt churches were built, and Regensburg became primarily Christian. God
confirmed Rupert's preaching by many miracles. Soon the missionary work met
with such success that many more helpers from Franconia were needed to meet the
spiritual needs of Rupert's converts.
The group continued down the Danube, converting still more. After Ratisbon, the
capital, the next seat of his labors was Laureacum, now called Lorch, where he
healed several diseases by prayer, and won many other souls to Christ. But in
neither of these flourishing towns did Rupert establish his bishopric. He made
the old, fallen-down town of Juvavum, given to him by the duke of Bavaria, his
headquarters. The town was restored and he named it Salzburg (Salt Fortress).
There with the help of his companions Saints Virgilius, Chuniald, and Gislar,
Rupert founded Saint Peter's church and monastery with a school along the lines
of the Irish monasteries.
He made a trip home to gather twelve more recruits. His sister, Saint
Ermentrudis, entered a convent he founded at Nonnberg (setting for The sound of
music) and became its first abbess. He did much to foster the operation of the
salt mines. Rupert, the first archbishop of Salzburg, is considered to be the
Apostle of Bavaria and Austria. He died on Easter Day after having said Mass
and preached the Good News. Thereafter, he became so renowned that countries
such as Ireland claimed him as a native son and celebrate his memory
liturgically. The Duchy of Salzburg cast his likeness with that of the Saint
Virgilius on the coin of the realm called a rubentaler (Attwater, Attwater2,
Benedictines, Bentley, D'Arcy, Encyclopedia, Farmer, Gougaud, Husenbeth,
Kenney, Walsh, White).
The Saint Pachomius Library contains two versions of the Life of Saint
Robert.
Rupert's emblem in art is a barrel of salt, because of his association with the
reopening of the salt mines. He may be shown holding a basket of eggs;
baptizing Duke Theodo(re) of Bavaria; or with Saint Virgilius of Salzburg
(Farmer, Roeder, White).
SOURCE : http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0329.shtml
_-_De_H._Rupert_doopt_de_Beijerse_hertog_Theodo.jpeg)
De
H. Rupert doopt de Beijerse hertog Theodo II, olieverfschilderij door
Franciscus de Neve (II), circa 1670, Salzburg, Dommuseum zu Salzburg
St.
Rupert baptizes the Bavarian Duke Theodo II, oil painting by Francis de Neve
(II), circa 1670, Salzburg, Dommuseum zu Salzburg
On March 27 the Catholic
Church remembers the monk and bishop Saint Rupert, whose missionary
labors built up the Church in two of its historic strongholds, Austria and
Bavaria.
During his lifetime, the
“Apostle of Bavaria and Austria” was an energetic founder of churches and
monasteries, and a remarkably successful evangelist of the regions – which
include the homeland of the Bavarian native Pope Benedict XVI.
Little is known about
Rupert's early life, which is thought to have begun around 660 in the territory
of Gaul in modern-day France. There is some indication that he came from the
Merovignian royal line, though he embraced a life of prayer, fasting,
asceticism and charity toward the poor.
This course of life led
to his consecration as the Bishop of Worms in present-day Germany. Although
Rupert was known as a wise and devout bishop, he eventually met with rejection
from the largely pagan population, who beat him savagely and forced him to
leave the city.
After this painful
rejection, Rupert made a pilgrimage to Rome. Two years after his expulsion from
Worms, his prayers were answered by means of a message from Duke Theodo of
Bavaria, who knew of his reputation as a holy man and a sound teacher of the
faith.
Bavaria, in Rupert's day,
was neither fully pagan nor solidly Catholic. Although missionaries had
evangelized the region in the past, the local religion tended to mix portions
of the Christian faith – often misunderstood along heretical lines – with
native pagan beliefs and practices.
The Bavarian duke sought
Rupert's help to restore, correct, and spread the faith in his land. After
sending messengers to report back to him on conditions in Bavaria, Rupert
agreed. The bishop who had been brutally exiled from Worms was received with
honor in the Bavarian city of Regensburg.
With the help of a group
of priests he brought with him, Rupert undertook an extensive mission in
Bavaria and parts of modern-day Austria. His missionary journeys resulted in
many conversions, accompanied by numerous miracles including the healing of
diseases.
In Salzburg, Rupert and
his companions built a great church, which they placed under the patronage of
St. Peter, and a monastery observing the Rule of St. Benedict. Rupert's niece
became the abbess of a Benedictine convent established nearby.
Rupert served as both the
bishop of Salzburg and the abbot of the Benedictine monastery he established
there. This traditional pairing of the two roles, also found in the Irish
Church after its development of monasticism, was passed on by St. Rupert's
successors until the late 10th century.
St. Rupert died on March
27, Easter Sunday of the year 718, after preaching and celebrating Mass.
After the saint's death,
churches and monasteries began to be named after him – including Salzburg's
modern-day Cathedral of St. Rupert (also known as the “Salzburg Cathedral”),
and the Church of St. Rupert which is believed to be the oldest surviving
church structure in Vienna.
SOURCE : http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=420
_St._Rupertus_016.jpg)
Katholische Filialkirche St. Rupertus in Gaden (Waging am See) im Landkreis Traunstein (Bayern/Deutschland),
Bischof, Malerei an der Vorhalle
March 27
St. Rupert, or Robert,
Bishop of Saltzbourg, Confessor
HE was, by birth, a
Frenchman, and of royal blood; but still more illustrious for his learning, and
the extraordinary virtues he practised from his youth. He exercised himself in
austere fasting, watching, and other mortifications; was a great lover of
chastity and temperance; and so charitable as always to impoverish himself to
enrich the poor. His reputation drew persons from remote provinces to receive
his advice and instructions. He removed all their doubts and scruples,
comforted the afflicted, cured the sick, and healed the disorders of souls. So
distinguished a merit raised him to the episcopal see of Worms. But that
people, being for the most part, idolaters, could not bear the lustre of such
sanctity, which condemned their irregularities and superstitions. They beat him
with rods, loaded him with all manner of outrages, and expelled him the city.
But God prepared for him another harvest. Theodon, duke of Bavaria, hearing of
his reputation and miracles, sent messengers to him, earnestly beseeching him
to come and preach the gospel to the Baioarians, or Bavarians. This happened
two years after his expulsion from Worms; during which interval he had made a
journey to Rome. He was received at Ratisbon by Theodon and his court with all
possible distinction, in 697, and found the hearts both of the nobles and
people docile to the Word of God. The Christian faith had been planted in that
country two hundred years before, by St. Severinus, the apostle of Noricum.
After his death, heresies and heathenish superstitions had entirely
extinguished the light of the gospel. Bagintrude, sister of duke Theodon, being
a Christian, disposed her brother and the whole country to receive the faith.
Rupert, with the help of other zealous priests, whom he had brought with him,
instructed, and, after a general fast, baptized the duke Theodon and the lords
and people of the whole country. God confirmed his preaching by many miracles.
He converted also to Christianity the neighbouring nations. After Ratisbon, the
capital, the second chief seat of his labours was Laureacum, now called
Lorch, 1 where
he healed several diseases by prayer, and made many converts. However, it was
not Lorch, nor the old Reginum, thence called Regensbourg, now Ratisbon, the
capital of all those provinces, that was pitched upon to be the seat of the
saint’s bishopric, but the old Juvavia, then almost in ruins, since rebuilt and
called Saltzbourg. The duke Theodon adorned and enriched it with many
magnificent donations, which enabled St. Rupert to found there several rich
churches and monasteries. After that prince’s death, his son, Theodebert, or
Diotper, inheriting his zeal and piety, augmented considerably the revenues of
this church. St. Rupert took a journey into France to procure a new supply of
able labourers, and brought back to Saltzbourg twelve holy missionaries, with
his niece St. Erentrude, a virgin consecrated to God, for whom he built a great
monastery, called Nunberg, of which she was the first abbess. 2 St.
Rupert laboured several years in this see, and died happily on Easter-day,
which fell that year on the 27th of March, after he had said mass and preached;
on which day the Roman and other Martyrologies mention him. His principal
festival is kept with the greatest solemnity in Austria and Bavaria on the 25th
of September, the day of one of the translations of his relics, which are kept
in the church under his name in Saltzbourg. Mabillon and Bulteau, upon no
slight grounds, think this saint to have lived a whole century later than is
commonly supposed, and that he founded the church of Saltzbourg about the year
700. See his life, published by Canisius, Henschenius, and Mabillon, with the
notes of the last-mentioned editor.
Note
1. A village on the Danube, in the midway between Ratisbon and Vienna,
the capital of Eastern Bavaria, at present Austria.
Note
2. The bishop of Saltzbourg was, under Charlemagne, made an archbishop
and metropolitan of Bavaria, Austria, and its hereditary territories. He is one
of the first ecclesiastical princes of the empire, and is elected by the canons
of the cathedral, who are all of noble extraction.
Rev. Alban
Butler (1711–73). Volume III: March. The Lives of the
Saints. 1866.SOURCE : http://www.bartleby.com/210/3/272.html
Papst
Urban I. mit den heiligen Rupert und Elisabeth. Öl auf Leinwand. XVIIe, 43,5 x
35
Saints
of the Order of Saint Benedict – Saint Rupert, Archbishop of Salzburg
France has ever been fruitful in holy men, and among
the holiest of her sons we may claim Saint Rupert. The
Rule of Saint Benedict, which had been introduced into France by Saint Maurus,
attracted the youthful ardour of Rupert, a scion of the royal house. Entering a
monastery, he dedicated himself to religion. Though monastic houses are wedded
to silence, the great sanctity of Saint Rupert soon became known, and many were
the disciples who came to him for instruction and advice.
The desire of saving
souls urged him to Germany, where Worms received him as its Bishop. However,
the people of that city proved so hardened in wickedness that they flouted their
Pastor, and eventually drove him with stripes from their gates.
His shoulders were yet
sore from their blows, when his good angel directed his steps to Bavaria. There
his missionary labours were so successful that he baptized Theodon, the Prince
of that country, as well as a great number of his subjects. The place, known of
old as Juvavium, now Salzburg, was selected as the seat of his Bishopric. Here
he raised a monastery to Saint Peter. From the pious Theodon the Bishop also
obtained assistance to found, in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a great
convent at Octinga, now Nunberg, over which Saint Rupert placed his own
relative, Erentrude, as Abbess. By him were built several other monasteries and
convents, in which the holy monks and nuns, who had embraced the Rule of Saint
Benedict, never ceased in their devotion to the Mother of God.
This glorious Prelate,
now aged, was nearing the time when he must go to receive his everlasting
crown. In his departure from life he was fortunate, for on Easter Sunday, still
alive, he entered the tomb prepared for himself long beforehand, and there
died.
Some authorities give
A.D. 623 as the date of his death; others place it about a century later.
– text and illustration
taken from Saints
of the Order of Saint Benedict by Father Aegedius
Ranbeck, O.S.B.
Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres (1780–1867),
Carton pour les vitraux de la chapelle Saint-Ferdinand : saint Robert ou
Rupert, évêque de Worms, 1842
Saint of the Salt Castle: Discovering Saint Rupert in
Salzburg, Austria
Posted by Reliquarian in Glass Reliquary
Austria, Blessed Konrad II, Germany, reliquary, Saint Rupert, Saint Virgil, Salzburg, Salzburg Cathedral, skeleton
Salt of the Earth
In his wide-ranging
history of salt, Salt: A World History, Mark Kurlansky retells the
story of a French princess who infuriated her father by declaring she loved him
like salt. “Only later,” Kurlansky writes, when the king “is denied salt
does he realize its value and therefore the depth of his daughter’s
love.”[1] Because salt is “so common, so easy to obtain, and so
inexpensive,” Kurlansky explains, “we have forgotten that from the beginning of
civilization until about 100 years ago, salt was one of the most sought-after
commodities in human history.”[2] Salt was so precious, Roman soldiers
were once paid an amount of money for the purchase of salt, known as a salarium —
that is, a “salary.”[3] Salt was also fundamental to the growth of
several European cities, including the great city of Salzburg, Austria.
The name “Salzburg,” in fact, derives from the German word for salt (Salz) and
the word for castle (Burg).
The rise and development of Salzburg, however, was far
from inevitable. By the 7th century, the city, then known
as Juvavum, was in ruin following the collapse of the Roman Empire and the
catastrophic breakdown of public infrastructure throughout the region.[4]
The work of an enterprising saint, and a little bit of salt, however, helped
revive Salzburg’s fortunes. The saint was Saint Rupert, first Bishop of
Salzburg, whose likeness appears throughout the city and region to this day.
He is commonly portrayed carrying a vessel of salt, his traditional emblem in
art — and an apt attribute for the patron saint of the Salt Castle.
Man of Salt
Who was Saint Rupert, and
why is he so closely associated with Salzburg? According to
Butler’s Lives of the Saints, Saint Rupert was either a Frank or an
Irishman who had once been Bishop of Worms.[5] In approximately 697,
Saint Rupert and several companions traveled to Regensburg to visit Duke Theodo
of Bavaria, a powerful ruler “without whose permission nothing much could be
done.”[6] Saint Rupert eventually converted and baptized the duke, who
afterwards became Saint Rupert’s patron. With the duke’s support, Saint
Rupert reestablished Christianity along the Danube, in an area stretching from
Regensburg to Lorch.[7]
Instead of settling in
either of these places, however, Saint Rupert chose to establish himself in the
“old ruined town of Juvavum.”[8] Juvavum contained a number of Roman-era
buildings, though most were “dilapidated” and “overgrown with briars and
brushwood.”[9]. The ancient town’s main advantage was its location in a
prospering commercial area, in a region rich in salt.
Saint Rupert petitioned Duke Theodo for the territory
of Juvavum, and the duke readily agreed. Soon after, Saint
Rupert erected the town’s first church, the Church of Saint Peter (Stiftskirche
Sankt Peter), at the base of the Mönchberg.[10] He also established the
town’s first monastery and its first convent, Nonnberg Abbey, whose first
abbess, Saint Erentrude, was Saint Rupert’s niece.
Part of Duke Theodo’s
original donation included rich salt deposits, which were mined for their
precious crystals.[11] Saint Rupert is credited with establishing these
first salt mines, which would become a source of the city’s great wealth and
grandeur in later centuries.[12] As the city prospered, wealth from salt
mining enabled the arts to flourish. Today, however, the influence of
salt on the city’s growth and prosperity has been all but forgotten.
Instead, Salzburg is celebrated as an elegant city of music, the birthplace of
Mozart and, more recently, the backdrop of the perennially popular movie The
Sound of Music.
Skeletons at the von Trapp Wedding
Located 17 miles east of
Salzburg, in the charming lakeside town of Mondsee, Austria, the parish church
of Saint Michael (Pfarrkirche St Michael), is the second largest church in
Upper Austria. Built in the late 15th century, the twin towers and pale
yellow of the church’s exterior may strike some as vaguely familiar. As
it turns out, the church served as the setting of Fraulein Maria’s wedding to
Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music.
The interior of the church features striking vaulted
ceilings, a riot of carved and painted figures, and various gilded Baroque
altars, including five by the famed Swiss sculptor Meinrad
Guggenbichler.[13] The church also houses a number of relics, some of
which make brief cameos in the wedding scene of The Sound of Music. The
relics of Blessed Konrad II are the most notable. Located directly above
the tabernacle behind the high altar, the seated skeleton of Blessed Konrad II,
a 12th century abbott of Mondsee, peers out from behind a glass enclosed
niche. The skeleton’s head is surrounded by a ray halo, and his left hand
clutches a staff and palm frond, indicating a martyr’s death. Apparently,
Blessed Konrad II was killed defending his monastery, and his fellow monks
believed his murder qualified him for martyrdom.[14]
An array of other relics, carefully arranged in two
large reliquary cases, are displayed to Blessed Konrad II’s right and
left. The relics include various skulls and bones first
collected and displayed in the church in the mid-18th century. Below the
reliquary cases, four additional skeletons may be seen reclining in
individual cases, two triangular and two rectangular. The skeletons
look relaxed in their padded niches and observe the world as if from window of a
passing train. The skeletons belong to catacomb saints exhumed and
transported to Mondsee from the catacombs of Rome. The altar itself is a
remarkable early Baroque work by the sculptor Hans Waldburger. Dating to
1626, the altar features a depiction of Saint Michael the Archangel placidly
slaying a dragon. The
altar is the only extant altar by Waldburger.[15]
Salzburg Cathedral
Saint Rupert died in 710,
and is buried in the crypt of Salzburg Cathedral. Consecrated to Saint
Rupert and Saint Virgil in 774, the cathedral has been rebuilt and modified
several times since its founding. In 1167, for example, the Counts of
Plain, knights loyal to the the emperor Barbarossa, set fire to the cathedral,
burning it virtually to its foundation.[16]
The cathedral was rebuilt, but burned again in
1598. The subsequent rebuilding effort, led by Salzburg’s
archbishop at the time, Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, outraged city residents who
were shocked by Wolf Dietrich’s ruthless destruction of the cathedral’s
cemetery, including the desecration of countless graves, for the rebuilding
project.[17] After Wolf Dietrich was captured and imprisoned by Bavarian
troops in a dispute over salt mining rights, Wolf Dietrich’s successor, Markus
Sittikus von Hohenems, commissioned a new architect to complete the cathedral’s
reconstruction.
Reconsecrated in 1628, the new, Baroque cathedral
remained virtually unchanged until 1944, when a bomb crashed through the dome,
destroying part of the chancel. After extensive
renovations, the cathedral was consecrated a third time, in 1959. The
three gates to the cathedral commemorate the three consecrations by displaying
the years “774,” “1628,” and “1959” in gold above the portals.[18]
Back to the Salt Mines
Although Saint Rupert
does not hover above the tabernacle of Salzburg Cathedral like Blessed Konrad
II in Mondsee, images of Saint Rupert throughout the church and city serve as a
reminder of his role in the city’s early history. As already noted, Saint
Rupert is frequently shown carrying a vessel of salt, an acknowledgment of his
influence on Salzburg’s salt trade. The container of salt, however, may
hint at another of Saint Rupert’s accomplishments. In addition to
establishing the city’s first salt mines, Saint Rupert was responsible for
changing the city’s original name, Juvavum, to something more relevant and more
enduring. The name he
chose, of course, was “Salzburg,” the Salt Castle.
[1] Mark Kurlansky, Salt: A World History
6 (2002).
[2] Id.
[3] 2 Shorter
Oxford English Dictionary 2653 (5th ed., 2002).
[4] Juvavum was one
of the principle towns of the Roman frontier province of Noricum.
[5] 1 Butler’s
Lives of the Saints 700 (Herbert J. Thurston, S.J. & Donald Attwater
eds., 2d ed. 1956).
[6] Id.
[7] Id.
[8] Id.
[9] 13 Catholic
Encyclopedia 229 (Charles G. Herbermann et al., eds 1912).
[10] Id. The
church was established where Saint Maximus, a follower of Saint Severin, was
martyred in 476.
[11] Id.
[12] Saleem H. Ali,
Treasure of the Earth: Need, Greed, and a Sustainable Future 34 (2009).
[13] John Bourke,
Baroque Churches of Central Europe 266 (1958).
[14] Blessed Konrad
II of Mondsee, Saints.SPQN.com, available at http://saints.sqpn.com/blessed-konrad-ii-of-mondsee/.
[15] 10 Dictionary
of German Biography 314 (Walther Killy et al., eds, 2006).
[16] Salzburg
Cathedral, Salzburg Travel Guide, http://www.salzburg.info/en.
[17] Id.
[18] Id.
ANONYMOUS: Lives of Sts. Robert
(Rupert) and Erendruda
THE SAINT PACHOMIUS
ORTHODOX LIBRARY
This document is in the public domain. Copying it is encouraged.
TWO LIVES OF STS. RUPERT (ROBERT) AND ERENDRUDA (ERENTRAUD)
Translated by Karen Rae Keck
INTRODUCTORY NOTE: HOLY
AUSTRIA
Recently more and more
people have come to know and to love the Orthodox saints of the West. We would
like to introduce two such saints, Rupert of Salzburg and the nun Erendruda,
whose lives have apparently not previously appeared in English. (``Rupert'' is
the German spelling of ``Hrodibert'', rendered ``Robert'' in French and
English.)
While the Roman provinces
of Noricum and Pannonia had been strongholds of the early church - St. Martin
of Tours,for example, was a native of Burgen- land - the barbarian invasions
hit them with such violence that Christianity eventually almost disappeared.
The re-introduction of the faith was due largely to Theodo I, Duke of Bavaria
in the late 600s. St. Rupert was not the only Frankish missionary whom Theodo
brought into his territory; another, St. Emmeramus, met a martyr's death when,
to help a distressed princess, he pre- tended to be the father of her
illegitimate child, thus permitting her lover to escape the vengeance of the
clan.
Although Rupert was a
Frank, tradition also associates him with Ireland; certainly the old Roman city
of Juvavia (Salzburg), which he refounded as his headquarters, quickly became a
center of Irish missionary activity in Central Europe. The Austrian church was
pervaded with Celtic influence, and was even organized on Celtic lines under
``abbot-bishops'' in succession from Rupert. The most famous was St. Virgil the
Geometer, otherwise Feargal O'Neill from Leinster. St. Virgil is remembered
today mostly as an astronomer who shocked his more intellectually staid
contemporaries by speculating about the habitibility of the Antipodes; he was
also an outstanding Orthodox hierarch who evidently tolerated the use of the
vernacular at baptismal services and launched, in Carinthia and Slovenia, one of
the first attempts to evangelize the Slavs.
The Austrian Church did
not long retain its free-spirited identity. Four years after St. Virgil's
passing, the Austro-Bavarian duchy was conquered by Charlemagne and rapidly
integrated into the European mainstream. The abbot-bishops gradually changed
from spiritual leaders into worldly poten- tates, Electors of the Western
Empire. By a terrible irony, the inheritors of the mantle of St. Virgil became
the chief opponents and persecutors of Cyril and Methodius whom he had
foreshadowed. Nevertheless, although Austria and Bavaria have not been Orthodox
for a thousand years, the saints of the Orthodox period still live in Christ,
interceding for their countries and all humanity. May the reader of the
following Lives be saved through the prayers of Saints Rupert and Erendruda!
--N. Redington
Ruprechtskirche
Hl Rupert (Patron der Salzschiffer)
THE LIFE OF SAINT RUPERT
OF SALZBURG, APOSTLE TO BAVARIA AND AUSTRIA
(March 27)
1. Today is the feast of
St. Rupert, a most holy and blessed man. This feast reminds us of his passing
into joyful paradise; it shows forth mystical gladness to devout minds. It
renews delight in our hearts while the course of years runs. As the Scriptures
say, "The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance." He who
passes into the angels' joy is made worthy of men's remembrance: as the
Scriptures say, "A wise son is the glory of the father", and how
great is his glory, who redeemed so many barbarian nations by the knowledge of
God in Christ Jesus through the Gospel!
2. When Childebert the
king of the Franks was in the second year of his reign, the Bishop of Worms was
the Holy Confessor Rupert, who was born into the ranks of the Frankish
nobility, but was nobler in faith and piety. He was gentle and chaste, simple
and prudent, devout in praise of God, full of the Holy Spirit. He was also
provident in his plans and righteous in his judgement. He was secure in the
strength of both his right and left arms, and his good deeds shaped his flock
in his own image, because he admonished them with his words and the example of
his works confirmed them. He frequently kept vigils; then he weakened himself
with fasting. He adorned his work with compassion. He gave away his riches that
the poor might enrich themselves, because he believed himself to be one who should
receive the naked and poor.
3. Therefore, when the
exceeding fame of this most venerable man had spread to the ends of the
universe, very famous men, not only in that region but from other nations,
poured in to hear his most holy teaching. Some in anxious sorrow came to
receive consolation through his pious conversation, and others from the church
came to hear pure truth from him. Many were freed from the snares of the
ancient enemy by his loving dedication, and they started out on the way to eternal
life. But the unfaithful, who were often numerous in the vicinity of Worms, not
understanding his sanctity, exiled him from the city in great shame. They
afflicted him with terrible sufferings and beat him with rods. At that time
Theodo, the Duke of Bavaria, hearing about the miracles which this most holy
holy man had done, and about his blessedness, desired to see him, and, having
sent resolutely his very best men, he summoned him: how long might he consent
to visit the regions of Bavaria, and could he instruct him in the way of
life-giving faith? The blessed bishop, when he saw such a legion of questions,
and knew that these came from Divine dispensation, thanked the Merciful One,
because " those who sat in the darkness and the shadow of death"
longed to know the author of life, Jesus Christ.
4. Consequently, he sent
his own priests, as if they were rays of faith, with the ambassadors before him
to the Duke, and he himself, after a short time, undertook the journey to
Bavaria. When the Duke heard the news, he was overcome with great joy, and he
and a large retinue hastened to meet St. Rupert. In the city of Regensburg, he
with the greatest zeal overtook the saint. Then St. Rupert, not saying he was
hungry, instructed the Duke in the mysteries of the heavens, and he
strengthened him in the true faith. He made the Duke renounce the cult of
idols, and he baptized him in the name of the Holy and Indivisible Trinity. The
nobles and the people, whether gentry or plebians, were baptized with him,
praising Jesus Christ the Saviour of the world, who considered them worthy to
be called wonderously into His light from their darkness through His own
confessor, the most blessed Rupert. Through his word, their darkened hearts
were lit up, and the breasts of the unfaithful thirsted for the fountain of
life.
5. When the saint had
demonstrated the Divine grace by baptizing the Duke and his people, Theodo
understood the sacrament of saving baptism. He begged the saint, and Rupert
boarded a ship and sailed up the River Danube. Through the towns, villas, and
forts, he declared the gospel of Christ in a free voice. To the ends of
Noricum, into the lower parts of Pannonia, he himself brought the light of
Christ's ministry, placed as it were like a bright lamp above a candelabra.
Then, having returned through the land, he entered Lauriacum (Lorch on the
River Enns), in whose water he converted many who were regener- ated in baptism
from the cult of idols. In the name of the Lord he cleansed more who had been
oppressed by various weaknesses. After he had left Lauriacum, he saw with
fervor the errors of the race in that region; he boldly undertook to destroy
idols, to smash images, to proclaim everywhere the divinity of the Lord Jesus
Christ as well as His sacred incarnation, that they might believe Him to be at
once God and man; who was truly begotten of the Father before the Morning Star;
who is the Word of God truly born of a virgin mother in the latter days for the
salvation of humanity; who illumines all men who come into the world.
6. But when the man of
God considered whether to become the Bishop according to the entreaties of the
Duke and his people, he went to the stagnant waters of the Wallersee, where a
church had been built in honor of the chief apostle Peter. He moved from there
to the Juvavian (Salzach) River where once the city of Juvavia stood, which had
been erected in ancient, miserable times. Among the Bavarian cities it had held
noble eminence, but by this time it had been overrun by thickets and few people
lived in the near-ruins. The servant of God considered this suitable for his
episcopal cathedral, because being among the mountains it was remote from the
tumult of the crowds. He entrusted himself with propriety to the Duke, and
recounted to him with great enthusiasm his plan to build a basilica there in
honor of the blessed Peter, Chief of the Apostles, and endowed with all the
splendors necessary by the generosity of Theodo. Afterward having ordained
priests, he made all of them celebrate the daily offices in an agreeable order.
The holy man of God wished to supplement his site, so he asked the Duke for
more money, and with the appropriate legal formalities bought the manor of
Piding for thousands of solidi. Thus, successively, by the aid of God and the
bequests of kings or dukes or faithful men, the establishment began to grow.
7. Later after a certain
number of days worthy men told the blessed hierarch something of great wonder
which had happened when they had gone into the unnamed wilderness area now
called Bongotobum (Pongau). Three or four times they had seen heavenly portents
of fiery lamps, and they had experienced the smell of sweet and wonderful
aromas there. So the pious bishop sent the priest Domingus to that same place,
because of all the marvels which were present on top of these portents. He
hoped that the priest would diligently test the truth of such signs by setting
in that place a wooden cross which the holy one had blessed and constructed
with his own hand. Domingus, when he arrived, at once began the First Hour with
the religious who had come with him. They saw a bright lamp emitted from the
sky descend and light up the entire region as if it were the sun. Domingus saw
this vision on three nights, accompanied with the sweetness of a wondrous odor.
He erected the blessed cross in that same place, and it moved back above the
hut toward St. Rupert, confirming the first assertion with a sure report! St.
Rupert, communicating his design to Theodo, went away into the wilderness to
the very same place, and seeing that it was suitable for human habitation he
began to cut down aged oaks, and to bring heavy material back into the plain of
level ground, that he might build a church with dwellings for the servants of
God.
8. At that time, Theodo
fell into ill health, and as he felt the end of his life approaching, he called
to his bedside his son Theodobert. He appointed him to be the Duke of Noricum,
admonishing him to obey St. Rupert and to aid him conscientiously in his divine
work, as well as to raise up aptly the sacred place of the Juvavian church with
love, honor, and dignity. He adjured him also to honor it and exalt it. When he
had instructed his son with these doctrines and all that he desired, he closed
his last day and fell asleep in the Lord. After this, the Duke Theodobert
continued to go with his best men to St. Rupert, because his sanctity was worth
seeing. Coming to the saint in his far hermitage, the Duke showered him with
pious affection, and he went to the church which the saint had built there. The
Duke donated three milestones in honor of St. Maximilian. He also gave property
on all sides of the forest, as well as an Alpine villa. He contributed other
gifts to nurture the monks, whom the most blessed Rupert had ordained to the
service of God.
9. When these things had
been done, the man of God saw that the height of Bavarian dignity had submitted
himself to the yoke of Christ but had left worldly matters to the errors of the
clan. Therefore he accompanied the Duke to his homeland. From thence Rupert
returned with twelve of his special friends (among whom were Kuniald and St.
Gisilarius, both priests and both holy men). His neice St. Erendruda, a virgin
dedicated to Christ, accompanied them to the city of Juvavia. There in the high
fortress of the city he built a monastery in honor of Our Lord Jesus Christ the
Saviour and His sacred Mother, the Ever-Virgin Mary. He placed in that same
monastery St. Erendruda, that she might serve the King of Heaven. And with the
support of Duke Theodobert, who gave many gifts to the community, he developed
their social life rationally in all things.
10. When these things had
been done, the blessed man became eager to complete the teaching he had begun
with the help of the High Priest. Escorted by his flock, he resolved to visit
his followers in the Norican kingdom. Leaving the city of Juvavia and visiting
the people on whom the light of faith had not yet shown, he sowed the wheat of
faith amidst the grass. The deception of the devil fled from the hearts of
these barbarian hordes, and Rupert sowed there faith, love, mercy, and
humility, for through these Christ, the giver and source of all good, is able
to enter the domicile of the human mind. When he had travelled to the ends of
Bavaria, he had converted all to faith in Christ, and had strengthened those
who remained steadily faithful. Having sent out several priests and men of God
who brought the Divine Mysteries to the people, he was eager to go back to
Juvavia. Because he was full of the spirit of prophecy, he knew that the day of
his calling was at hand. He told this to his disciples, who showed sadness and
consternation. This was the reason that there was much weeping and great
mourning when he left the brand-new Christian people.
11. He, however, with the
hope that had been established by Christ, commended the city, the Norican
people, and all who had turned to faith in Christ to the Most High and
All-Knowing God, and he chose Vitale, a holy man whom the people themselves had
accepted, as his successor. When the forty days of Lent had been observed,
Bishop Rupert, the man of God, began to be exhausted by a high fever. When the
most holy day of the Resurrection of Our Saviour Jesus dawned, he celebrated
the solemn liturgy, and he was fortified for the journey with the sacred body
of Christ. By his mellifluous admonitions to natural piety and his last words
of love, he strengthened his brothers and sons. Then, amidst the holy tears of
the band, amidst the weeping of the holy ones: the death rattle. He returned
his most pure soul to God. The host of angels heard from the saints in the
heavens and bore his holy soul with a melodious voice to eternal happiness.
Thus he rested in peace. He whose life was praiseworthy and blameless was in
death equally blessed. Thus it is written: " Precious in the sight of the
Lord is the death of his saints," whom the angels bear into heaven.
Frequent miracles were attributed to him, for God was gracious through the body
of this holy man in visitations. His intercessions adorned his faithful and the
Church through innumerable miracles. Indeed the Blessed God - one in three
persons - lives and reigns; to Him be all praise and glory unto the ages of
ages. Amen.
Statue
von Rupert von Salzburg an der Ruprechtskirche in Wien.
Statue of Rupert of Salzburg at St. Rupert's Church in Vienna.
THE LIFE OF SAINT RUPERT,
CONTAINING THE LIFE OF SAINT ERENDRUDA OF SALZBURG
(June 30)
1. The blessed and pious
confessor of Christ, Rupert, was born of a noble and royal family of the
Franks, but he was far nobler in faith and in devoutness. He was a man prudent,
gentle, and truthful in his conversation, just in his judgement, and
circumspect in his counsels. He was known for his charity, and in the universe
of morals he stood out in his honesty. Indeed many flocked to his most sacred
teaching, and they received the proclamation of eternal salvation from him.
When the report of his blessed conversation grew far and wide, he found in his
acquaintance the Duke of Bavaria, Theodo, who asked of the man of God as many
intercessions as he was able. He began to ask through his distinguished messengers
that the saint might consent to visit his province with his blessed teaching.
To this the preacher of truth, stung by divine love, gave his assent, and,
having first arranged his affairs, he consented to go to the flock of Christ
which would be gained because of him.
2. When the Duke had
heard this preaching, he was overwhelmed with great joy, and continued with his
attendents on the way to meet the blessed saint and doctor with all honor and
dignity, as much as he possibly could. He caught up with him in the city of
Regensburg. The blessed man began to admonish him soon about Christian
conversation and to instruct him in the universal faith. Thus, he converted the
Duke and many other noble men to the true faith, and he baptized them. He
confirmed them in the holy religion. Praying, the Duke allowed the holy man to
choose a place, pleasing to himself and to his followers: whichever place he
desired, so that he could build a church and complete all the other things
needed for the work of the Church. The man of God, having accepted the Duke's
permission, seized the chance to sail down the Danube valley until he came to
the city of Lorch, where he proclaimed the same doctrine of the holy life. Many
there who were ill, many who were languishing in oppression, were cleansed by
the strength of God.
3. Passing through all
the Alpine region, he came at length to the kingdom of the Carinthians. Being
asked, he converted that kingdom and cleansed it with the baptism of Christ.
Climbing the highest mountain, called Tauern (Mons Durus), he preached to the
Vandals and attained the greatest fruit graciously given by the Lord. He also
built there many churches, and he established several monasteries. At last,
having charged his disciples, religious, priests, and clergy to keep the
Christian faith, he returned to the territory of Passau. Having come back, he
began to travel around the province. He reached a certain lake which is called
the Wallersee, where he had built and consecrated a church in honor of the
Apostle Peter. There often the renowned Duke distributed his personal
possessions in the same place where he originally met the saint on his rounds.
4. Afterward another
place came to the attention of St. Rupert. It was up the River Salzach, or as
it was known in olden times, the Juvavian Stream. It had been named in the time
of the Roman emperors, and a beautiful little house had been built, which was
now discovered hidden in the trees. Hearing this, the man of God wished to look
at it with his own eyes and experience the truth about the thing, because he
thought that it would profit the faithful souls. Giving thanks to divine grace,
he began to ask Duke Theodo that he might bestow his authority upon this place,
to exorcize and purify it and to establish a church according to his pleasure.
The Duke at once consented, bestowing possessions over two leucas in length and
width, that he might do what was useful to the Church. Then St. Rupert began to
renew the place (Salzburg), building a beautiful church to the First God, which
he dedicated in honor of St. Peter, the foremost of the Apostles: and he built
finally a cloister with other houses for the use of religious men, orderly
throughout. Afterward he ordained priests, and he instituted daily solemn
observance of the canonical hours. St. Rupert wished to increase the places of
service to God. With the help of God, from the gift of the King and Duke, and
by the behests of faithful men, the places began to grow.
5. The man of God, seeing
the flock of the Lord depart over the precipice of vices because of the
longings of the women, prayed to God in his heart, saying, ``Lord, if it is
good in your eyes, I will pick for myself other people fit for your service and
refinement, through whom the practice of your good life may become attractive
to the women, and, as well, to the men.'' He had in his country, that is,
Vangionum in the state of Wormatia, known a certain noble virgin, consecrated
from the cradle to God. Her name was Erendruda (Erentraud), and he wanted to
send for her that she with others might found a religious order for women. He
built a place and a mansion appropriate for the chaste in the Juvavian fort,
and he gave it to the charge of the Theotokos. When it was completed, he went
to call Erendruda to himself, and great joy came over the face of the blessed
Rupert, because he had lived to see this before the day of his death. Therefore
the holy priest led her into the oratory, which was consecrated to the
Theotokos, and said: ``Lady Sister, do you know why I have asked you here?''
She replied: ``Yes, Father, I know, for Our Lord Jesus Christ has revealed it
to my spirit, saying: Go in peace as you are called. Behold I will be with you,
and I will lead to myself through you many women's souls, whom you shall guide
by your example to the true religious path, coming to me.'' When he heard this,
the blessed priest rejoiced greatly in God.
6. After a short time,
many virgins and noble matrons came to the virgin Erendruda, and she led them
with such discernment that in a brief time all showed their learning and gave
appropriate service to God. Such was the virgin Erendruda in custom that she
reckoned wealth to herself whatever solace any disciple of hers received as a
divine gift. Such was she in prayer, that she considered it her whole health.
Such was she in aspect, that whether she met good people or bad, she thought
herself lower than they. What is to be remembered of the constancy and
restraint of her life, of her largesse in almsgiving, of her rectitude, of her
steadfastness in vigil and her sanctity in all of religious life? If at first
she was not strong in one or another of these, it ought to be overlooked rather
than investigated.
7. At length, when the
blessed Rupert knew by divine revelation that his death was at hand, he said to
Blessed Erendruda, whom he had called to him: ``My beloved sister, my private
conversation is to you; I pray that you will tell none of this, as I have told
you a secret. It has pleased God to show me my departure from this Earth, and
now I ask, Lady Sister, that you pray for my soul when God sees fit to call it
to His peace.'' The holy virgin responded with tears: ``If it is true as you
say, master, arrange that I die before you do!'' The bishop said to her:
``Sister, most dear one! You should not wish to hasten to an inopportune death,
nor to choose your exit while sin is great. Our end has not been fixed in our
wishes, but in divine providence.'' The holy virgin prostrated herself at the
feet of the priest and begged him: ``Father, master, I ask you to remember that
you have led me here from my own country, and now you wish to leave me a poor
orphan. I ask only one thing of you, that if I am not worthy to depart before
you or with you, at least intercede as a witness with God that I may be worthy
of the passing wished for!'' The most holy priest Rupert granted these
requests, and when for a long time they had joined in talk sweetly about
eternal life, and they had wept together, they said a final sad farewell.
8. The blessed Rupert celebrated
the liturgy before the entire church on the day of the Resurrection of the
Lord. He gave a homily to the people, and distributed the Body and Blood of
Christ. He gave the blessing and benediction. When the Mass was ended, he fell
down in prayer. Commending his spirit into the hands of the Heavenly Father, he
fell asleep in the Lord on the twenty-seventh day of March. He was buried in
the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, which he had himself consecrated to their
honor. The entire population of Noricum mourned him, because he had been an
apostle to that race, and he had never grieved anyone in any way. After this,
the blessed Erendruda sat night and day in the oratory and prayed to the Lord
with tears for the soul of her now dead friend Rupert. She kept watchful vigils
and awaited the gift of promised consolation. At last one night the holy Rupert
came to her in a vision and said: ``I have come, beloved sister, to the kingdom
of Christ, for which I have labored for a long time.'' Wide awake, she gave
thanks to God, and at once she began to feel ill. She called together all the
sisters; she exhorted them; she received the Sacrament of the Church. After
they had exchanged the sweet kiss of peace, she gave up her spirit. After this,
her sacred body, preserved with spices, was buried in the Monastery of the Most
Holy Theotokos with great veneration on the thirtieth day of June.
BIBLIOGRAPHIC NOTE
The Latin texts of the
lives translated here can be found in the * Acta Sanctorum * of the Bollandists
under March 27. Another, possibly older, Latin life of Rupert is given in Vol.
6 of the Merovingian series of *Monu- menta Germaniae Historica* and excerpts
in Latin from other lives are in John Colgan's * Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae *
(Louvaine, 1647). An English translation of a few sentences from the Life of
Erendruda occurs in *Butler's Lives of the Saints* by Thurston and Attwater
under June 30.
An extremely recent
secondary source on Austria-Bavaria in Merovingian and Carolingian times is *
Germany in the Early Middle Ages * by T. Reuter (London: Longman,1991). Some
material on the Austro-Irish Church can be found in John T. McNeill's * The
Celtic Churches * (University of Chicago, 1974).
The St. Pachomius
Orthodox Library, 1994
O Lord, have mercy on Thy
servants Karen, Norman, and the Archpriest Robert.
THE END, AND TO GOD BE
THE GLORY!
SOURCE : http://legacy.fordham.edu/halsall/source/st_robert.html
Sebastian Stief. Ankunft des hl. Rupertus
mit seinen Gefährten Chuniald und Gislar
im Anblick der römischen Ruinen luvavums/Salzburgs,
1885
San Ruperto Vescovo
m. 27 marzo 718
Originario dell'Irlanda, figlio di una famiglia di
origini nobili, Ruperto è il patrono di Salisburgo. Dopo aver ricevuto una
formazione monastica irlandese, infatti, attorno al 700 si recò in Baviera dove
si dedicò alla predicazione e alla testimonianza monastica itinerante,
ottenendo buoni risultati a Regensburg e Lorch. Con l'appoggio del conte Theodo
di Baviera, Ruperto fondò prima una chiesa dedicata a san Pietro sul lago
Waller e poi un monastero sul fiume Salzach, nei pressi dell'antica città romana
di Juvavum. Fu questo il nucleo della nuova Salisburgo («la città del sale»),
che lo riconosce non solo come primo vescovo ma anche come ri-fondatore.
L'iconografia lo rappresenta, infatti, con un barile o un secchio pieno di
sale. Morì il 27 marzo, il giorno di Pasqua, dell'anno 718. (Avvenire)
Patronato: Salisburgo
Emblema: Bastone pastorale, Sale
Martirologio Romano: A Salisburgo in Baviera,
nell’odierna Austria, san Ruperto, vescovo, che, abitando dapprima a Worms, su
richiesta del duca Teodone giunse in Baviera e costruì a Salisburgo una chiesa
e un monastero, che governò come vescovo e abate, divulgando da lì la fede
cristiana.
Salisburgo, la bella città austriaca la cui fama è collegata con quella del suo figlio più illustre, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, trae il suo nome dalle vicine ricche miniere di salgemma: esso significa infatti "città del sale". Anche il suo primo vescovo e principale patrono, S. Ruperto, viene rappresentato con una saliera in mano (o con un barile, ricolmo appunto di sale e non di vino, come pensa qualche studioso non ben informato). Egli è l'unico santo locale festeggiato, oltre che nelle zone di lingua tedesca, anche nell'Irlanda: in realtà, fu anch'egli un tipico rappresentante dei " monaci irlandesi" itineranti.
S. Ruperto discendeva dai Robertini o Rupertini, un'importante famiglia che dominava col titolo di conte nella regione del medio e alto Reno. Da questa famiglia nacque anche un altro S. Ruperto (o Roberto), di Bingen, la cui vita venne scritta da S. Ildegarda. I Robertini erano imparentati con i Carolingi e centro della loro attività era Worms. Qui S. Ruperto ricevette la sua formazione di stampo monastico irlandese. Verso il 700, come i suoi maestri, si sentì spinto alla predicazione e alla testimonianza monastica itinerante e si recò perciò in Baviera, ottenendo buoni risultati a Regensburg e Lorch. Appoggiato dal conte Theodo di Baviera, sul lago Waller, 10 km a nord-est di Salisburgo, là dove ora è Seekirchen, fondò una chiesa, dedicata a S. Pietro. Ma il luogo non appariva adatto ai progetti di S. Ruperto che chiese al conte un altro territorio sul fiume Salzach, nei pressi dell'antica e cadente città romana di Juvavum.
Il monastero che vi costruì, dedicandolo a S. Pietro, è il più antico di tutta l'Austria e insieme il nucleo della nuova Salisburgo. Il suo sviluppo fu opera anche di dodici collaboratori che Ruperto fece venire dalla sua terra d'origine: tra essi Cunialdo e Gislero, onorati come santi. Non lontano dal monastero di S. Pietro, sorse pure un monastero femminile, affidato alla direzione dell'abbadessa Erentrude, nipote di Ruperto.
Fu questo manipolo di coraggiosi che fece sorgere la nuova Salisburgo, che a giusto titolo riconosce in Ruperto il proprio ri-fondatore: "La sua figura mostra come una personalità piena di forza e di sensibilità, affondando le radici nelle profondità dello spirito cristiano, è in grado di impedire con intelligenza e senza limiti geografici qualsiasi decadimento sia interiore che esterno " (J. Henning). S. Ruperto morì il giorno di Pasqua, e cioè il 27 marzo del 718. Le sue reliquie vengono conservate nella magnifica cattedrale di Salisburgo edificata nel sec. XVII.
Autore: Piero Bargellini
SOURCE : http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/47350
La cathédrale
Saint-Rupert de Salzbourg (en allemand : Salzburger Dom), cathédrale baroque du XVIIIe siècle, Salzbourg en Autriche. Dédiée à saint Rupert de Salzbourg.
Rupert van Salzburg, Oostenrijk; bisschop & stichter; †
ca 717.
Feest 27 maart & 24 september.
Hij is waarschijnlijk van Franse afkomst. Aanvankelijk
was hij bisschop van Worms. Hij beijverde zich om overal de christelijke
godsdienst onder de mensen te brengen. Zo zwierf hij rond in de omgeving van Regensburg
en langs de Donau. Hij herbouwde de vernielde stad Iuvavum, die hij Salzburg
noemde. Hij maakte er een steunpunt van van christelijke cultuur door er het
Sint-Petrusklooster te stichten met kerk en school; daarnaast richtte hij op de
Nonnberg een vrouwenklooster in, waar hij zijn zus Erentrudis († ca 718; feest
30 juni) als eerste abdis benoemde. Hij wordt vereerd als de eerste bisschop en
abt van Salzburg, en als de apostel van Beieren en Oostenrijk.
[000»sys; 101a; 102»Robert; 103; 104»Érentrude; 105; 106; 111p:497-498;
116p:305-309; 118; 122; 126; 132; 149/1p:492; 212p:25; 293p:60; 294p:9; 340]
© A. van den Akker s.j.
SOURCE : http://heiligen-3s.nl/heiligen/03/27/03-27-0717-rupert.php
An
Austrian stamp of 1948 depicting a statue of Saint
Rupert, "created by Franz Hitzl around 1778 for the high-altar of the
church of St. Peter's Abbey in Salzburg"
Der heilige Rupert, Bischof von Salzburg -
Festtag, Gedenktag ist der 27. März und am 24.
September, dem Ruperti-Tag wird in Deutschland und Österreich sein Festtag
gefeiert.
* in ?
† am 27. März 623 (andere Quellen nennen das Jahr
716 und 718 als Todestag)
Im Leben des heiligen Emmeram lesen wir von einer Peterskirche zu Aschheim und
von einer mitleidigen Menge, welche den Leichnam des heiligen Märtyrers zu
dieser Kirche begleitet hatten. Daraus können wir annehmen, daß schon vor
dem heiligen Emmeram in diesen Gegenden das Evangelium gepredigt und
christliche Kirchen gegründet wurden.
Aus dem Leben des heiligen Eustasius wissen wir, daß dieser heilige Abt mit Agilus
nach Bayern gesendet wurde, um die lehre des Heils zu verkünden. Dies geschah
mehrere Jahre nach der Synode zu Boganello 613. Diese zwei Glaubensprediger
blieben, wie der heilige Emmeram, nur kurze Zeit in Bayern. Wie weit sich ihre
Wirksamkeit erstreckt habe, können wir nicht bestimmen.
Nun behaupten einige Geschichtsschreiber in
Übereinstimmung mit der Überlieferung des Benediktiner-Ordens und insbesondere
des Stiftes St. Peter in Salzburg, der erste Verkünder des Christentums im
südöstlichen Gebiet der Bojoarier, schon vor Eustasius und Emmeram, sei der heilige Rupert gewesen, und ihm habe Bayern
den Anfang der Kultur und die erste Begründung der kirchlichen Ordnung zu
verdanken.
Der heilige Rupert war der Sohn eines fränkischen
Großen. Er hatte von Kindheit an der Welt und ihren Eitelkeiten entsagt, um
sich ganz dem Dienste Gottes zu widmen. Eine natürliche Gemütlichkeit und
Gelassenheit, eine vorzügliche Gelehrigkeit und Willigkeit, nebst einem klarem
Verstand und offenem Sinn für die Wahrheit und Gerechtigkeit waren die Erbgüter
seiner Eltern. Diese erhielten durch Gottes Gnade und durch die Treue des
jugendlichen Diener Gottes jene höhere Weihe, die ihnen in den Augen der
Ewigkeit einen Wert gibt. Rupert erwarb die Tugend, der Demut und Sanftmut in
einem hohen Grade, noch ehe er als Diener der Kirche am Werke der Bekehrung
Anderer zu arbeiten begann. Er war ausgerüstet mit himmlischer Weisheit und mit
jener göttlichen Klugheit, die der Herr von seinen Mitarbeitern fordert. Durch
ernstlichen Kampf gegen alle Gelüste des Fleisches, durch kindliche Treue des
göttlichen Geistes gewann er gar früh jene sittliche Reife und Vollkommenheit,
in der er die Schmach Christi allen Ehren und Vergnügen der Welt vorzog und
seinem Erlöser das Kreuz nach zu tragen entschlossen war.
Diese ausgezeichneten Eigenschaften des treuen Jüngers
Christi waren es, was die Vorstände der Kirche bewog, ihn in die Reihe der
Kleriker aufzunehmen; wegen dieser Vorzüge wurde ihm die Folge die bischöfliche
übertragen.
Ob er wirklich Bischof von Worms gewesen, oder wie der
heilige Emmeram, nur als Regionar-Bischof für die Mission geweiht wurde, kann
nicht ermittelt werden. Was wir aus dieser seiner Zeit sicher wissen, das sind
die Nachrichten von seinem apostolischem Eifer, indem er nahe und fern den
Götzendienst auszurotten und die Erkenntnis und Verehrung des einen wahren
Gottes auszubreiten bemüht war. Ebenso berichten uns die ältesten
Lebensbeschreibungen dieses Heiligen, daß er all seine Habe unter die Armen
verteilt und ganz arm gelebt hat. # Auch einen seiner Grundsätze in dieser
Beziehung haben sie uns aufbewahrt, den man öfters von ihm hörte und der also
lautet: „Von Allem was wir in der Welt besitzen, können wir nur das unser
Eigentum nennen, was wir den Armen geben; denn alles andere raubt uns der Tod,
und nur das bleibt uns im Himmel als ein Schatz hinterlegt, was wir den Armen
geben.”
Der Name dieses apostolischen Mannes wurde weit und
breit bekannt, und Unzählige kamen zu ihm, um Belehrungen und Rat zu erhalten.
Er zeigte allen mit Liebe und Selbstaufopferung den Weg des Heils und war
unermüdet in seinem schweren Beruf.
Während aus der ferne alles dem Heiligen zu strömte,
entspannte sich in Worms selber die Verfolgung gegen ihn. Das strenge Leben des
für alle sich opfernden Bischofs war den leichtfertigen und ausgelassenen
Großen ein Dorn im Auge, und seine Bußpredigten waren ihnen zuwider. Sie
suchten seiner los zu werden und erregten einen Aufruhr gegen den wehrlosen
Diener Gottes. In der Stadt waren noch einige Götztendiener und gar viele, die
nur mit dem Munde den christlichen Glauben bekannten. Diese vereinigten sich,
mißhandelten den Bischof und vertrieben ihn aus der Stadt. Zwei Jahre lang zog
er jetzt in der Gegend umher, immer das Evangelium verkündend und die Gläubigen
in ihrem Glauben zu bestärken. Während dieser zeit machte er auch eine
Wallfahrt nach Rom.
Inzwischen war der Ruf des Heiligen bis nach Bojoarien
gedrungen, und der Herzog Theodo wünschte, diesen apostolischen Mann für sein
Land zu erhalten. Der Herzog kannte das Christentum, hatte aber noch nicht
einmal die Taufe empfangen. Er sehnte sich nach besserer Kenntnis und wollte,
daß auch seine Untertanen der Segnungen des Heils teilhaftig werden möchten.
Darum ordnete er Abgesandte an ihn ab, mit der Bitte, der Heilige möchte kommen
und das Licht des Glaubens denen bringen, die noch in den Finsternissen des
Heidentums saßen.
Rupert glaubte, in dieser Einladung einen Ruf von Gott
zu vernehmen, und war entschlossen, diese Missionsreise anzutreten . Aber davor
sendete er noch einige Priester an den Herzog, um sich zu versichern, daß die
Einladung ernstlich gemeint sei. Dann kam er selbst um das Jahr 580. (Andere
Quellen berichten, daß er im Jahr 697 zu Regensburg eintraf) Er sah bald, daß
ihm die Gnade Gottes schon vorgearbeitet hatte, daß das Verlangen des Herzogs
und seines Hofes nach der Lehre des Heils ein aufrichtiges war. Und so
unterrichtete er die nach dem Heile Verlangenden in den Wahrheiten des Glaubens
und erteilte dem Herzog und seinem ganzen Haus die heilige Taufe.
Dem Beispiel des Herzogs und seiner Umgebung folgten
auch die Untertanen. Rupert reiste mit seinen Gefährten im Lande umher, predigte
überall, erteilte den vom Götzendienste sich Bekehrenden die heilige Taufe, und
Gott wirkte durch ihn viele Wunder.
Nun wollte er auch in jenen Gegenden das Evangelium
verkünden, in denen ehedem der heilige Severin den Einwohnern Buße gepredigt und Wunder gewirkt
hatte. Die Gläubigen waren aus dem lande ausgewandert und nach Italien gezogen.
Selbst der Leichnam des heiligen Severin war in das Land des Glaubens geflüchtet worden.
Die Völker, die sich an den Plätzen der ausgewanderten Christen nieder ließen,
waren größtenteils Heiden. Rupert fuhr nun auf der Donau hinab und wollte bis
in das Gebiet der Sarantanen, um auch diesen das Evangelium zu predigen. Aber
unweit der Ens änderte er seinen Plan, ging nach Lorch und verkündete dort die
Lehre Jesu unter vielen Wundern. Dann kehrte er wieder nach Bojoarien zurück
und begab sich in den südöstlichen teil des selben, in jene Gegend, wo ehedem
das alte Juvavia gestanden hatte und wo jetzt Salzburg liegt.
Am Ausfluß des Wallersees
erbaute er eine Kirche und weihte sie zu Ehren des heiligen Apostel Petrus ein.
In dieser Gegend wollte er als ständiger Bischof seinen Wohnsitz aufschlagen,
und von hier aus sollten seine Genossen ihre Missionsreisen durch das ganze
Land unternehmen. Der Herzog
war mit diesem Plan des Heiligen ganz einverstanden und beschenkte den Bischof
mit den umliegenden Wiesen und Wäldern.
Bald fand der Heilige eine Stätte, die ihm zu diesem
Zwecke noch mehr geeignet schien. Es war dies jene freundliche und anmutige
Stätte, auf der ehedem Juvavia gestanden hat. Diese prächtige Stadt war
zu Severins Zeiten von den Herulern gänzlich zerstört
worden. Nur einzelne verstümmelte Statuen und eine Menge behauener Steine, die
aber in Schutt vergraben und mit Moos und Gesträuch überwachsen waren, gaben
noch Zeugnis von der alten Herrlichkeit. Dieser Ort wurde nun als der künftige
Bischofssitz gewählt. Rupert entfernte den Schutt von der verwüsteten Stätte
und fand noch manche halb zerstörte Wohnungen, die er ohne großen Aufwand
wieder herstellen konnte.
Als schon viele Vorkehrungen zur neuen Ansiedlung
getroffen und einiges zu Stande gebracht war, setzte Rupert den Herzog von
seinem Vorhaben in Kenntnis. Der Herzog kam selbst nach Juvavia, das jetzt den
Namen Salzburg erhielt, billigte, was der heilige Bischof bisher unternommen
hatte, und gestattete ihm, hier für sich und seine Geistlichen den Wohnsitz
aufzuschlagen. Zugleich schenkte ihm der Herzog eine größere Strecke des
umliegenden Gebietes. Rupert erbaute nun eine schöne Kirche und Wohnungen für
sich und seine Mitarbeiter.
Weil aber die Zahl dieser Mitarbeiter so klein und die
geistige Ernte so groß war und so viele Arbeitskräfte erforderte, so mußte der
Bischof auf Vermehrung der Geistlichkeit bedacht sein. Aus dem Bojoarenlande
konnte er noch keinen Nachwuchs erwarte. Er begab sich darum wieder ins
Frankenland und wählte sich dort zwölf Männer aus, die er zu diesem Werk als
tauglich erkannte. Mit diesen Missionaren aus dem lande der Vangionen und
Nemeter, die um Worms ihre Wohnsitze hatten, kam er jetzt im lande der
Bojoarier an. Jeder der selben erhielt ein bestimmtes Gebiet, in dem er die
Lehre des Heils zu verkünden und die Sakramente zu spenden hatte.
Damit aber für die Zukunft nicht immer wieder Männer
aus der Fremde kommen müssten, welche die Leitung der Gläubigen zu übernehmen
hätten, gründete Rupert zu Salzburg eine Erziehungsanstalt für Geistliche und
errichtete ein Kloster, indem die Lehrer dieser Zöglinge Gott dienen und den
notwendigen zeitlichen Unterhalt erhalten sollten. Es ist dies das Kloster St.
Peter, das jetzt noch in Salzburg besteht und seit den Tagen des heiligen
Rupert eine Pflanzschule der Gottseligkeit und der Wissenschaften gewesen ist.
Die Mönche dieses Klosters mußten nach der ausdrücklichen Bestimmung des
Bischofs alle tage die kirchlichen Tageszeiten in der vorgeschriebenen Ordnung
beten und alle ihre Tätigkeit der Fürsorge für die ihnen anvertrauten Zöglinge
und für die übrigen Gläubigen widmen.
Außer diesen Anstalten gründete der heilige Bischof
auch ein Kloster für Jungfrauen, die in Gebet und Entsagung den Gläubigen mit
gutem Beispiel voran leuchten und dem Dienste Gottes obliegen sollten. Zu
diesem Zweck ließ er seine Nichte Ehrentrudis aus dem Frankenland nach Salzburg kommen. Der
Herzog Theodo war bis an sein Ende der treue Schutzherr des heiligen Bischof.
Vor seinem Ende ermahnte er seinen Sohn, der des Reiches Erbe war, noch ganz
besonders, daß er den Bischof ehren und in allen seinen Unternehmungen
unterstützen sollte. Dies geschah auch wirklich. Der Sohn trat in die
Fußstapfen seines Vaters, besuchte sogleich nach dem Antritt seiner Regierung
den Apostel des Landes und bezeugte ihm seine aufrichtige Verehrung. Zugleich
schenkte er ihm mehrere Güter im Chiemgau und Isengau, die bis in die letzten
Zeiten Eigentum der Kirche Salzburgs geblieben sind.
Als die Kirche des heiligen Maximilian im heutigen
Bischofshofen im Pongau, deren Bau schon unter Herzog Theodo angefangen wurde,
ihre Vollendung erhalten hatte und eben eingeweiht werden sollte, begab sich
der Herzog selbst an die heilige Stätte und wohnte der Feierlichkeit bei. Den
umliegenden Wald einem Umkreis von drei Meilen, schenkte er der neuen Kirche.
Während der ganzen Zeit seines apostolischen Lebens
wanderte der Heilige im ganzen Land umher, bekräftigte die neu Bekehrten im
Glauben, erteilte ihnen das Sakrament der Firmung, ordnete die kirchlichen
Angelegenheiten, belehrte die von ihm aufgestellten Geistlichen und bekräftigte
sein Wort durch viele Wunder.
Der Tag seines Hinscheidens war ihm schon lange vorher
verkündet worden. Als er den Tag heran rücken sah, kehrte er zu seiner
bischöflichen Kirche in Salzburg zurück und weihte noch seinen Nachfolger zum
Bischof. es war dies Vitalis, ein Priester aus dem Frankenland.
Diesen treuen Diener des Herrn übertrug er die Sorge
für die neu gegründete Kirche. Dann versammelte er seine Geistlichen um sich,
ermahnte sie zur Treue und Ausdauer in dem begonnenen Werk und versicherte sie
des göttlichen Beistands, den sie bisher oft in wunderbarer Weise erfahren
hatten, für alle Zukunft. Nun begann er zu beten, und betend gab er seinen
Geist auf, am Osterfest des Jahres 723 am 27. März.
So endete der erste
Bischof des Bayerlandes, der einen ständigen Wohnsitz und eine eigne Kirche
hatte, die auf Jahrhunderte den Vorrang über alle nach ihr gegründeten
bischöflichen Kirchen des Landes behauptete und noch jetzt als die Mutterkirche
der übrigen verehrt wird.
Der Leichnam des Heiligen
wurde in der von ihm erbauten Kirche zur Erde bestattet; allein ungefähr
hundert und fünfzig Jahre später ließ ihn der heilige Bischof Virgilius in die
von ihm zu Ehren des heiligen Rupert erbaute prachtvolle Kirche übertragen und
feierlich beisetzen. Dies
geschah am 24. September 773. 73 Jahre später 846 wurde diese Kirche durch
Brand zerstört und etwa 40 Jahre darauf wieder neu aufgebaut. Den Leichnam des
Heiligen hatte man aus dem Schutt wieder gefunden; nun wurde er in die neu
erbaute Rupertskirche an dem selben Tage wieder beigesetzt, an welchem die
erste Übertragung geschehen war. Dies geschah mit großer Feierlichkeit im Jahre
882. Das Fest der Erhebung des heiligen Leichnams wurde ebenso wie der Todestag
des heiligen Bischofs in der Diözese Salzburg als ein Festtag gefeiert.
(Bolland.
Reschius. Baillet.)
Quelle:
BAVARIA SANCTA - Leben
der Heiligen und Seligen des Bayerlandes
zur Belehrung und Erbauung für das christliche Volk - Bearbeitet von Dr. Magnus
Jocham, Professor der Theologie und erzbischöflicher geistlicher Rat - Mit
Gutheißung des hochwürdigsten Erzbischöflichen Ordinariats München - Freising,
(1861)
SOURCE : http://www.heiligenlegenden.de/literatur/bavaria-sancta/zweiter-abschnitt/rupert/home.html
