Saint Leopold
Saint Leopold III of Austria (born November 1, 1073 AD in Babenberg, Austria; died November 15, 1136 AD in Klosterneuburg, Austria) was the Margrave (military governor) of Austria from 1095 to 1136 and a founder of monastic communities. He is the patron saint of Austria and of the city of Vienna. Known for his justice, piety, and munificent patronage of monasteries — he founded Klosterneuburg, Heiligenkreuz, and Kleinmariazell — he refused the imperial crown when it was offered to him, choosing instead to deepen his monastic foundations. He was canonized in 1485. His feast day is November 15.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Leopold
| Saint Leopold | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | November 15 |
| Profession | Margrave of Austria; monastic founder; ruler |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Augustinian patrons (Klosterneuburg); Cistercian patrons (Heiligenkreuz); patron of Austria; House of Babenberg |
| Patronage | Austria; Vienna; Lower Austria; Klosterneuburg; the House of Habsburg (historically); rulers who govern justly; those who renounce power |
| Attributes | Margrave's robes; model of monastery; veil (the Klosterneuburg veil legend); crown (refused imperial crown); Austria |
| Birthplace | Gars am Kamp (or Melk), Lower Austria, Austria |
| Death Place | Klosterneuburg, Lower Austria, Austria |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; died November 15, 1136, at Klosterneuburg, the monastery he had founded; he fell from a tree while hunting and never recovered from the injuries |
| Primary Shrine | Augustinian Monastery of Klosterneuburg, Lower Austria — his tomb; the veil relic from the founding legend; major pilgrimage site; his feast (November 15) is a public holiday in Lower Austria; annual Leopoldifest at Klosterneuburg draws thousands |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (universal Roman Calendar); November 15; public holiday in Lower Austria |
| Historic Class | Not in universal 1962 calendar; observed in Austria |
Biography
Leopold III was born on November 1, 1073, as a member of the House of Babenberg. He became Margrave of Austria in 1095, governing the territory that would become the heartland of the Austrian state.
He married Agnes, daughter of Emperor Henry IV, and had 18 children with her. According to tradition, the founding legend of Klosterneuburg arose when Agnes's wedding veil was blown away by a gust of wind, then miraculously found nine years later on a rose bush — the site where Leopold founded the Augustinian monastery of Klosterneuburg in 1114.
He ruled Austria for 41 years with a reputation for justice and generosity. He founded three monasteries: Klosterneuburg (1114, Augustinian), Kleinmariazell (1136, Benedictine), and Heiligenkreuz (1133, Cistercian). When the German princes offered him the imperial crown in 1125 after the death of Emperor Henry V, he declined.
He died at Klosterneuburg on November 15, 1136, from injuries sustained in a fall from a tree while hunting.
Pope Innocent VIII canonized him on January 6, 1485. He was declared patron of Austria in 1663. His feast (November 15) is a public holiday in Lower Austria.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Gars am Kamp (or Melk), Lower Austria, Austria
Death location: Klosterneuburg, Lower Austria, Austria
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Klosterneuburg Monastery, Lower Austria — his tomb and the veil relic; principal pilgrimage site; annual Leopoldifest on November 15.
- Heiligenkreuz Abbey, Vienna Woods — the Cistercian monastery he founded; still active.
Feast day
November 15
Veneration
Saint Leopold is the patron of Austria. His feast day (November 15) is a public holiday in Lower Austria. He was canonized in 1485 and declared patron of Austria in 1663.
Prayers
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