Blessed Jordan of Saxony
Stored in Cargo: Blessed Jordan of Saxony
| Blessed Jordan of Saxony | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | February 13 |
| Profession | Priest, Master General of Dominicans, preacher |
| Rel. Affiliation | Order of Preachers (Dominicans) |
| Patronage | Vocations to the Dominican Order; against drowning; University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines |
| Attributes | Dominican habit, book (his writings), ship (shipwreck martyrdom), preaching gesture |
| Birthplace | Borgberge near Dassel or Burgberg, Westphalia, Duchy of Saxony, Holy Roman Empire |
| Death Place | Levantine Sea, near Acre, Holy Land (shipwreck) |
| Cause of Death | Drowning in shipwreck (natural accident) |
| Primary Shrine | Church of St. John, Acre, Israel (historical burial site; no major surviving shrine) |
Blessed Jordan of Saxony (also known as Jordan von Sachsen or Jordanis de Alamania), O.P., was a German Dominican friar, preacher, and the second Master General of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) after Saint Dominic. According to historical records from Dominican sources and his own writings, he was born around 1190 (some sources specify c. 1185) in Borgberge near Dassel or Burgberg in Westphalia, Duchy of Saxony, Holy Roman Empire, belonging to the noble family of the Counts of Eberstein. He pursued studies in Paris, where he met Blessed Reginald of Orléans and was inspired to join the Dominicans, receiving the habit on Ash Wednesday 1220.
Evidence from Dominican chronicles and his Libellus de principiis Ordinis Praedicatorum (a key early biography of Saint Dominic) indicates that Jordan quickly rose in the Order: elected prior provincial of Lombardy in 1221 (despite only a year in the habit), and chosen as Master General in 1222 following Saint Dominic’s death. During his 15-year tenure (1222–1237), he expanded the Order significantly, establishing foundations in Germany, Switzerland, and Denmark, attracting over a thousand novices through his powerful preaching (often at universities), and editing the Constitutions. He directed Blessed Diana d’Andalò and her community of Dominican nuns in Bologna, corresponding with her extensively, and governed with gentleness, as noted in contemporary testimonies.
He died on February 13, 1237, at age about 47, in a shipwreck in the Levantine Sea near Acre (present-day Israel) while returning from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land to visit Dominican monasteries. His body was buried in the Dominican Church of St. John in Acre. His cult was confirmed (equipollent beatification) by Pope Leo XII on May 10, 1826, in Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome. As of February 13, 2026, he remains Blessed (not canonized), with his feast day celebrated on February 13 in the Dominican Order and some local calendars (February 15 in older Roman sources). He is the patron of Dominican vocations, against drowning, and the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines. This reflects established Dominican tradition and primary sources (e.g., Jordan’s own Libellus, Dominican chronicles, and Vatican confirmation of cult), but consult authoritative references such as the Acta Sanctorum (February vol.), Butler’s Lives of the Saints (February 13), or the Dominican Order’s official sites for further details.
Biography
Birth
According to Dominican historical accounts, Blessed Jordan of Saxony was born around 1190 in Borgberge near Dassel or Burgberg, Westphalia, in the Duchy of Saxony, Holy Roman Empire, to the noble Counts of Eberstein family. Evidence suggests his noble background and early education prepared him for university studies.
Early Life
Jordan pursued advanced studies in Paris, where he encountered the nascent Dominican Order through the preaching of Blessed Reginald of Orléans. Historical records indicate he joined the Dominicans in 1220, receiving the habit on Ash Wednesday.
Occupation
As a Dominican, Jordan preached extensively at universities, attracting many vocations, and held leadership roles: prior provincial of Lombardy (1221) and Master General (1222–1237). He authored the Libellus, a primary source on Saint Dominic’s life.
Vocation
Jordan’s vocation focused on preaching, governance, and expansion of the Order, marked by gentleness and zeal for souls. He directed Blessed Diana d’Andalò’s convent and corresponded with her. Hagiographic tradition holds his humility and charity as exemplary, though some details reflect pious reflection.
Death
Blessed Jordan of Saxony met his end on February 13, 1237, in a shipwreck in the Levantine Sea near Acre while returning from the Holy Land. According to Dominican accounts, he drowned along with others aboard.
Significant events
• Born c. 1190 in Westphalia. • Joined Dominicans in Paris, 1220. • Elected prior provincial of Lombardy, 1221. • Elected second Master General, 1222. • Expanded Order in Germany, Switzerland, Denmark. • Authored Libellus de principiis Ordinis Praedicatorum (c. 1233). • Directed Blessed Diana d’Andalò and her community. • Died in shipwreck February 13, 1237. • Cult confirmed by Pope Leo XII, May 10, 1826.
==Significant locations==
Legend
Birth location: None
Death location: Levantine Sea, near Acre, Holy Land (shipwreck)
Notable location: Studies and entry into Dominicans (c. 1220) (University of Paris, Paris, France)
Notable location: Early leadership; direction of Blessed Diana d'Andalò's community (Bologna, Italy)
Notable location:
Notable location:
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Dynamic content
===Parishes=== No parishes dedicated to Blessed Jordan of Saxony have been added to the database yet.
===Media=== No media found for this saint.
Shrines
No results
No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
List of shrines
Church of St. John, Acre (Akko), Israel
• Historical burial site of Blessed Jordan after his shipwreck death in 1237. While no longer a major active Dominican shrine due to historical changes in the region, it commemorates his martyrdom and was a point of early veneration. • Pilgrimage details: Acre; Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. • Fact: Site where his body was interred following the wreck. No other shrines currently qualify under Canon 1230 with official designation specifically for his relics or tomb, as his remains were not preserved or transferred in verifiable ways.
Canonization
Pre-congregation veneration; cult confirmed (equipollent beatification) by Pope Leo XII on May 10, 1826.
Miracles
No authenticated miracles associated with his beatification (equipollent process based on longstanding cult).
Patronage
Blessed Jordan of Saxony is the patron of vocations to the Dominican Order (due to attracting over 1,000 novices), against drowning (shipwreck death), and the University of Santo Tomas, Manila.
Feast day
February 13
Veneration
Blessed Jordan of Saxony is venerated through Dominican liturgy on February 13, his Libellus as a historical source, and devotion for vocations. No major relics survive, but his example influences Dominican preaching and governance. He has been depicted in frescoes (e.g., Dominican priory in Worms) and art as a Dominican preacher.
Books
Written about the saint
• Entries in Butler’s Lives of the Saints (February 13). • Dominican hagiographies and histories.
Written by the saint
• Libellus de principiis Ordinis Praedicatorum (early biography of Saint Dominic). • Letters to Blessed Diana d’Andalò.
External links
• Jordan of Saxony - Wikipedia • Blessed Jordan of Saxony - Dominican Nuns • Bl. Jordan of Saxony - Dominican Friars