October 21st - St. Wendelin of Tholey, Confessor (AC)
Waldtraud
(Also known as Wendolinus, Wendel)
Died c. 607. Saint Wendelin's identity was nearly lost, although there were
17
towns in the U.S. in 1957 named after him. He was an Irish shepherd who
became
famous for his sanctity, when settled along the Rhein following a pilgrimage
to
Rome and began to evangelize the region. A later legend makes him an Irish
hermit, whose cell became the Benedictine abbey of Tholey in the diocese of
Tr�ves (Trier), Germany. Or, is it a legend? The Diocese of Trier records
that
he was an Irish saint.
It is said that so many miracles occurred at his death that a church was
built
on the spot along the Nahe River to house his relics. In 1320, Archbishop
Baldwin of Trier credited Wendelin's intercession with halting a plague. He
rebuilt the saint's chapel. A little later the town of Saint Wendel, where
he is
still venerated, was established there by a 14th-century holy Roman emperor.
Now
a thriving Society of the Divine Word Mission House of Saint Wendell trains
missionaries for work throughout the world.
The church still survives. The 1370 stone sarcophagus, which was first used
as a
table to hold the wooden shrine, and a representation of the saint from c.
1300
remain, as well as the second oldest stone pulpit in Germany (Benedictines,
D'Arcy, Fitzpatrick, Kenney, Montague).
In art, his emblem is sheep, a dog, and a club. Sometimes there is a staff,
pouch, cup, and dog at his feet, at other times a long staff and a calf at
his
feet. He is the patron of shepherds and peasants. He is invoked on behalf of
sick cattle (Roeder). The 14th-century image of Wendelin depicts him as an
Irish
monk with a staff and Gospel, rather than as a shepherd (D'Arcy).
These Lives are archived at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celt-saints
See longer version found at:
http://www.stcdio.org/parishes/StWend/sainthistory.htm
Saint Quote:
The patient and humble endurance of the cross whatever nature it may be is
the
highest work we have to do.
-Saint Katherine Drexel
Bible Quote:
And it came to pass, whilst he was at table with them, he took bread, and
blessed, and brake, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and
they
knew him: and he vanished out of their sight. (Luke 24:30-31)
<><><><>
Prayer to Saint Wendelin
0 God, Who didst enlighten Thy faithful servant, St. Wendelin,
with
Thine inspirations to shun the vanities and riches of this world, we humbly
beseech Thee to make our hearts also yearn only for the treasures of heaven.
0 Thou, who didst treasure the humility of Thy servant, St.
Wendelin, and by his intercession didst cure the infirmities of body and
soul,
grant us the grace to rely on his powerful protection in our struggles with
the
Power of Darkness. We implore Thee, 0 God through the intercession of St.
Wendelin, (Here specify your petition) and to share with him some day the
eternal happiness in heaven, through Christ Our Lord Amen.
<><><><>
The fourteenth prayer of St. Bridget:
O Jesus, only-begotten Son of the most high Father, splendor and figure of
His substance, remember the commendation wherewith Thou didst commend Thy
Spirit to Thy Father, saying, "Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my
spirit"; and then, with lacerated body and broken heart, with a loud cry,
the bowels of thy mercy exposed, didst expire to redeem us. By this
precious death I beseech Thee, O king of saints, strengthen me to resist
the devil, the world, the flesh, and blood, that dead to the world I may
live to Thee; and in the last hour of my departure receive Thou my exiled,
wandering spirit returning to Thee. Amen.
Pater noster... Ave Maria...