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Saint Walburga or Walpurga (c. 710–777) was an 8th-century English-born Benedictine nun, abbess, and missionary to Germany who is recognized by some Orthodox jurisdictions (notably in Western Europe) as a saint who lived before the Great Schism. She is commemorated on February 25, honored for her piety, miracles, and role in establishing German monasticism.
Walburga was the daughter of Saint Richard the Pilgrim and Wunna his wife, and sister to Saints Willibald and Wunnibald, and she remained and was educated at the abbey at Wimborne under the Abbess Saint Tetta when her menfolk set off for the Holy Land. Later she joined her brothers in Germany, when her uncle, Saint Boniface, sent to Wimborne asking for sisters to help with missionary work.
After a couple of years with Saint Lioba at Bischofsheim she was appointed abbess of the convent of nuns founded by her brothers in Heidenheim, and when Winnibald died, his monastery for monks was added to hers to make a double community, which she ruled until her own death.
She was held in highest honor among the people and is credited with miracles during her life time, including the extinguishing of a fire which threatened to destroy a settlement of wooden houses with thatched roofs. She is represented sometimes with the emblem of three ears of wheat with which she is said to have cured a girl with a ravenous appetite. Among her other miracles during her life are the following:
1. While sailing from England to Germany to join the mission of Saint Boniface, a violent storm arose that terrified the sailors. Walburga knelt on the deck in prayer, and the sea immediately became calm.
2. She once visited the home of a nobleman whose daughter was near death. After Walburga spent the entire night in prayer at the child's bedside, the girl woke up the next morning in perfect health.
3. When arriving at the same nobleman's house at night, his hungry hunting dogs threatened her; however, she assured him they would not touch her, and they remained peaceful.
It is perhaps the miracles after her death for which she is most famous. In 779 she was first buried in Heidenheim, but in 870, her body was translated to lie with her brothers at Eichstätt. Soon after this the exuding of a fragrant liquid from her tomb was first observed, and from that time the Oil of Saint Walburga has been much prized for its curative properties. This oil continues to flow from her tomb annually between October 12 and February 25. Among her documented posthumous miracle are the following:
1. Many accounts describe the blind regaining their sight and the deaf regaining their hearing.
2. Historical records from the 18th century mention a mute 7-year-old girl and a stroke victim who regained the ability to speak clearly after using the oil.
3. The oil has been credited with healing epilepsy, gout, plague, rabies, and chronic stinging pains.
4. She is historically invoked for protection against witchcraft and evil spirits.
The Life of Saint Walburga was written by Wolfhard at the end of the 9th century, and there is an interesting excerpt from Gritser's chronicles of the Bishops of Eichstadt as a preface to one edition of it. It describes how one Barnard Adelmann, a Canon of Eichstadt, was sent with the histories of the Saints and relics to the King of England in 1492. These presents were received with great reverence at Canterbury, and "among all the relics, that which the king chiefly admired and venerated was the Oil of Saint Walpurgis."
Saint Walburga was canonized on May 1st, the day of the great pagan festival of spring, and the gathering of the German witches made famous by Goethe. So the night of the witches has become known as Walpurgisnacht and she is honored as the protectress against black magic. Her main feast, however, is February 25th.
Walburga was the daughter of Saint Richard the Pilgrim and Wunna his wife, and sister to Saints Willibald and Wunnibald, and she remained and was educated at the abbey at Wimborne under the Abbess Saint Tetta when her menfolk set off for the Holy Land. Later she joined her brothers in Germany, when her uncle, Saint Boniface, sent to Wimborne asking for sisters to help with missionary work.
After a couple of years with Saint Lioba at Bischofsheim she was appointed abbess of the convent of nuns founded by her brothers in Heidenheim, and when Winnibald died, his monastery for monks was added to hers to make a double community, which she ruled until her own death.
She was held in highest honor among the people and is credited with miracles during her life time, including the extinguishing of a fire which threatened to destroy a settlement of wooden houses with thatched roofs. She is represented sometimes with the emblem of three ears of wheat with which she is said to have cured a girl with a ravenous appetite. Among her other miracles during her life are the following:
1. While sailing from England to Germany to join the mission of Saint Boniface, a violent storm arose that terrified the sailors. Walburga knelt on the deck in prayer, and the sea immediately became calm.
2. She once visited the home of a nobleman whose daughter was near death. After Walburga spent the entire night in prayer at the child's bedside, the girl woke up the next morning in perfect health.
3. When arriving at the same nobleman's house at night, his hungry hunting dogs threatened her; however, she assured him they would not touch her, and they remained peaceful.
It is perhaps the miracles after her death for which she is most famous. In 779 she was first buried in Heidenheim, but in 870, her body was translated to lie with her brothers at Eichstätt. Soon after this the exuding of a fragrant liquid from her tomb was first observed, and from that time the Oil of Saint Walburga has been much prized for its curative properties. This oil continues to flow from her tomb annually between October 12 and February 25. Among her documented posthumous miracle are the following:
1. Many accounts describe the blind regaining their sight and the deaf regaining their hearing.
2. Historical records from the 18th century mention a mute 7-year-old girl and a stroke victim who regained the ability to speak clearly after using the oil.
3. The oil has been credited with healing epilepsy, gout, plague, rabies, and chronic stinging pains.
4. She is historically invoked for protection against witchcraft and evil spirits.
The Life of Saint Walburga was written by Wolfhard at the end of the 9th century, and there is an interesting excerpt from Gritser's chronicles of the Bishops of Eichstadt as a preface to one edition of it. It describes how one Barnard Adelmann, a Canon of Eichstadt, was sent with the histories of the Saints and relics to the King of England in 1492. These presents were received with great reverence at Canterbury, and "among all the relics, that which the king chiefly admired and venerated was the Oil of Saint Walpurgis."
Saint Walburga was canonized on May 1st, the day of the great pagan festival of spring, and the gathering of the German witches made famous by Goethe. So the night of the witches has become known as Walpurgisnacht and she is honored as the protectress against black magic. Her main feast, however, is February 25th.
Troparion in Tone 4
Having been enlightened by the light of Christ, thou didst leave thy fatherland to illumine the people of Germany. O venerable Mother Walburga, through thy labors and prayers, thou didst establish a dwelling for the Lord. Wherefore, having received the gift of miracles and the grace of healing, intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls.
Kontakion in Tone 2
Let us praise the boast of Wessex and the joy of Heidenheim, the godly Walburga, who followed the Lamb wherever He went. For having flourished in the garden of monasticism, she now pours forth the oil of healing upon all who cry out: Rejoice, O Mother, vessel of the Holy Spirit.
Having been enlightened by the light of Christ, thou didst leave thy fatherland to illumine the people of Germany. O venerable Mother Walburga, through thy labors and prayers, thou didst establish a dwelling for the Lord. Wherefore, having received the gift of miracles and the grace of healing, intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls.
Kontakion in Tone 2
Let us praise the boast of Wessex and the joy of Heidenheim, the godly Walburga, who followed the Lamb wherever He went. For having flourished in the garden of monasticism, she now pours forth the oil of healing upon all who cry out: Rejoice, O Mother, vessel of the Holy Spirit.
