St. Wolfgang of Regensburg, Saint of the day for 31 October

Saint of the day for October 31th
(c. 924 - August 31, 994)
Audio file
The story of St. Wolfgang of Regensburg

Wolfgang was born in Swabia, Germany, and was educated in a school located at the Reichenau Abbey. There he met Henry, a young nobleman who became archbishop of Trier. Meanwhile, Wolfgang remained in close contact with the archbishop, teaching at his cathedral school and supporting his efforts to reform the clergy.

Upon the death of the archbishop, Wolfgang chose to become a Benedictine monk and moved to an abbey in Einsiedeln, now part of Switzerland. Ordained a priest, he was appointed director of the monastery school there. He was later sent to Hungary as a missionary, although his zeal and goodwill produced limited results.

Emperor Otto II appointed him bishop of Regensburg, near Munich. Wolfgang immediately initiated the reform of the clergy and religious life, preaching with vigor and effectiveness and always showing a particular concern for the poor. He wore the habit of a monk and lived an austere life.

The call to monastic life has never abandoned him, including the desire for a life of solitude. At one point he left his diocese to devote himself to prayer, but his responsibilities as a bishop called him back. In 994 Wolfgang fell ill during a trip; died in Puppingen near Linz, Austria. He was canonized in 1052. His feast is widely celebrated in much of central Europe.

Reflection

Wolfgang could be depicted as a man with rolled up sleeves. He also tried to retire to solitary prayer, but taking his responsibilities seriously brought him back to the service of his diocese. Doing what needed to be done was his path to holiness, and ours.