Saint Adalbero of Würzburg
Saint Adalbero of Würzburg (born c. 1010 AD in Lambach, Upper Austria; died October 6, 1090 AD in Lambach, Upper Austria, Holy Roman Empire) was the Bishop of Würzburg from 1045 to 1090 AD and one of the central figures of the Gregorian Reform in Germany. He was a supporter of Pope Gregory VII during the Investiture Controversy against Emperor Henry IV, and was consequently driven from his see and died in exile. He was canonized by Pope Calixtus II in 1122. His feast day is October 6.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Adalbero of Würzburg
| Saint Adalbero of Würzburg | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | October 06 |
| Profession | Benedictine monk; Bishop of Würzburg (1045–1090 AD); monastic founder (Lambach Abbey); supporter of the Gregorian Reform; exile for papal loyalty |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Benedictine Order; Diocese of Würzburg; 11th-century Gregorian Reform; Investiture Controversy; upper Austrian noble family |
| Patronage | Würzburg; Lambach; those who suffer for defending Church rights; those in exile for their faith; the Diocese of Würzburg; Lambach Abbey |
| Attributes | Bishop's vestments; a model of Lambach Abbey; papal letter or bull (the Gregorian reform); chain or exile imagery; the Würzburg Cathedral in background; the Lambach frescoes motif |
| Birthplace | Lambach, Upper Austria (Holy Roman Empire) |
| Death Place | Lambach, Upper Austria |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; died October 6, 1090 AD, in exile at the Benedictine abbey of Lambach (which he had founded) in Upper Austria; he had been expelled from his see of Würzburg by Emperor Henry IV in 1085 for supporting Pope Gregory VII during the Investiture Controversy; he spent his final years at Lambach; he died there peacefully; he was approximately 80 years old |
| Primary Shrine | Lambach Abbey, Upper Austria — his tomb; the remarkable Romanesque frescoes; active Benedictine community; October 6 feast; Austrian pilgrimage site |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (Roman Rite); October 6; Feast in Würzburg and Austria |
| Historic Class | Double (October 6) in 1962 calendar |
Biography
Adalbero was born c. 1010 in the noble family of Lambach in Upper Austria. He became a Benedictine monk. He was appointed Bishop of Würzburg in 1045 by Emperor Henry III.
His long episcopate of 45 years was shaped by the Investiture Controversy. He initially supported Emperor Henry IV but eventually sided with Pope Gregory VII, the reforming pope who insisted on the Church's freedom from imperial control in the appointment of bishops. When Henry IV expelled his papal opponents, Adalbero was driven from Würzburg in 1085.
He spent his final five years at Lambach Abbey — which he had founded c. 1056 on his family's property in Upper Austria. He died there on October 6, 1090. The Romanesque frescoes at Lambach (c. 1080 AD) are among the finest in the German-speaking world.
Pope Calixtus II canonized him on October 6, 1122 — the year the Investiture Controversy was resolved by the Concordat of Worms.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Lambach, Upper Austria (Holy Roman Empire)
Death location: Lambach, Upper Austria
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Lambach Abbey, Upper Austria — his tomb; Romanesque frescoes; active Benedictine community.
- Würzburg Cathedral — his episcopal see.
Feast day
October 6
Veneration
Saint Adalbero of Würzburg was a Gregorian reform bishop who was expelled from his see by Emperor Henry IV for supporting Pope Gregory VII. He founded Lambach Abbey (whose Romanesque frescoes survive) and died there in exile. Canonized 1122. Feast October 6.
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