Saint Wolfgang
Saint Wolfgang of Regensburg (born c. 934 AD in Pfullingen, Swabia, Holy Roman Empire; died October 31, 994 AD in Pupping, near Linz, Austria) was the Bishop of Regensburg from 972 to 994 AD, one of the great reform bishops of the Ottonian era. He reorganized the Diocese of Regensburg, founded the Diocese of Prague (by ceding territory), and was the teacher of Emperor Henry II (later Saint Henry II). He was canonized by Pope Leo IX in 1052 — only 58 years after his death. His feast day is October 31.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Wolfgang
| Saint Wolfgang | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | October 31 |
| Profession | Benedictine monk; teacher; hermit; Bishop of Regensburg (972–994 AD); teacher of Emperor Henry II; founder of the Diocese of Prague |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Ottonian reform church; Benedictine Order; Diocese of Regensburg; 10th-century German Catholicism; reforming bishop |
| Patronage | Bavaria; Austria; Regensburg; the town of Saint Wolfgang (Wolfgangsee); carpenters (from a legend of building a church); those suffering from gout and lameness (miracles at his shrine); those fleeing a storm (from a lake legend) |
| Attributes | Bishop's vestments; a hatchet (from a legend in which he threw his axe to find a site for a church); the Wolfgangsee (Lake Wolfgang); the Michael Pacher altarpiece (depicted in art); Emperor Henry II as a student beside him |
| Birthplace | Pfullingen, Swabia (modern Baden-Württemberg, Germany) |
| Death Place | Pupping, near Linz, Austria |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; died October 31, 994 AD, at Pupping on the Danube (near modern Linz, Austria) while traveling on episcopal business; he was approximately 60 years old; he had been Bishop of Regensburg for 22 years; he died at the monastery of Pupping and was transported to the monastery of Saint Florian, near Linz, for initial burial; his body was later translated to Regensburg Cathedral, where his shrine became a major pilgrimage site in Bavaria |
| Primary Shrine | Regensburg Cathedral — his shrine and relics; major Bavarian pilgrimage; Pilgrimage Church of Saint Wolfgang, Saint Wolfgang im Salzkammergut — the Michael Pacher altarpiece; one of the most visited sites in Austria |
| Liturgical Class | Memorial (Roman Rite); October 31; Feast in Bavaria and Austria |
| Historic Class | Double (October 31) in 1962 calendar |
Biography
Wolfgang was born c. 934 in Pfullingen, Swabia. He studied at Reichenau monastery and later taught at the cathedral school of Trier. He entered the Benedictine Order at Einsiedeln Abbey, Switzerland.
He was a close associate of Bishop Pilgrim of Passau and served as a missionary to the Hungarians. He then lived briefly as a hermit in the region of the future Wolfgangsee in Austria.
In 972 AD Emperor Otto II appointed him Bishop of Regensburg. He reformed the diocese rigorously: he separated the bishop's role from the abbacy of St. Emmeram, strengthening both institutions; he ceded the Bohemian territories to create the new Diocese of Prague c. 973; and he educated the future Emperor Henry II (later canonized).
He was known for personal austerity, pastoral care of the poor, and architectural projects.
He died October 31, 994 AD, at Pupping on the Danube. Pope Leo IX canonized him in 1052.
The Pilgrimage Church of Saint Wolfgang in the Austrian lake district (Wolfgangsee), containing the magnificent Pacher Altarpiece (1471–1481), is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in Austria.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Pfullingen, Swabia (modern Baden-Württemberg, Germany)
Death location: Pupping, near Linz, Austria
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Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Wolfgang have been added to the database yet.
Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| October 31 Saint Wolfgang | Under 5 minutes | Breski1 |
| Prayer to St. Wolfgang | Under 5 minutes | Joy of Heaven |
Shrines
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Known shrines
- Regensburg Cathedral — his shrine and relics; major Bavarian pilgrimage.
- Pilgrimage Church of Saint Wolfgang, Wolfgangsee, Austria — the Michael Pacher altarpiece; one of Austria's most visited sites.
Feast day
October 31
Veneration
Saint Wolfgang of Regensburg was a 10th-century reform bishop who founded the Diocese of Prague, taught Emperor Henry II, and is honored at the beautiful pilgrimage church of Saint Wolfgang in the Austrian lake district. Canonized 1052. Feast October 31.
Prayers
Authored
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Intercessory
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