Saint Walburga – Communio

O God, the boundless generosity of your favor is proclaimed by the wonders you have worked in your holy women. As we are taught by your holy virgin Walburga’s example of purity and rejoice in the glory of her miracles, may she be our patron to gain for us your unfailing love.

One of the important Benedictine saints in the Church is the 8th century Saint Walburga and yet she is relatively unknown to many outside the world of monks and nuns. Her story is found here. You might find it interesting to note that Saint Walburga’s relative is the Apostle to Germany, Saint Boniface, and her brother was the abbot and later bishop, Saint Wunibald.

In Colorado, there is a rather significant monastery of Benedictine nuns under the patronage of today’s saint, The Abbey of Saint Walburga (founded in 1935). The nuns at this monastery are a great group of women who live the monastic life with seriousness and a great of humanity (that is, humor). Most importantly the life they live is attractive to young women which has untold blessings from the Church in Colorado and beyond. Two of the nuns from this abbey serve the Vatican’s monastery, Monastero Mater Ecclesiae at the moment (they’ll be home in just over a year’s time).

Since 1857, the Benedictine sisters of Elizabeth, NJ, also claim Saint Walburga as their patron.

Also, we should mention the venerable witness of Saint Walburg Monastery in Covington, Kentucky. The sisters there directly descended from Saint Walburga Abbey in Eichstatt, Germany and are celebrating the 150th anniversary of their founding this year.

Belmont Abbey’s secondary patron is Saint Walburga. No fewer than two statues, one in the monastery and one in the grotto honor the saint. Plus, the monks honored the saint with a beautiful stained glass window in the Abbey Basilica.

The novena prayer to Saint Walburga

Holy Walburga, you dwell in the glory of heaven, gazing upon the face of the Triune God in the company of all the saints. I turn to you, full of trust in the words of Jesus Christ, “Amen, amen I say to you, the one who has faith in me will do the works I do, and greater far than these” (John 14:12). God has granted you the gift of healing; help me in my need, which I bring before you (mention petition). Beg God to grant healing, consolation and strength to me and to all those for whom I pray. Implore Him to let me recognize His love and know His presence, whatever He may have in store for me.

Ask this for me through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns in the unity of the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

4 thoughts on “Saint Walburga”

Also there is St. Walburg Monastery in Covington, Kentucky. We are directly descended from St. Walburg Abbey in Eichstatt, Germany and are celebrating the 150th anniversary of our founding this year. See http://www.stwalburg.org.

Thanks, Sister Deborah, for pointing this fact out. I am grateful that you took the time to email me and that you are reading the blog. I will make the correction in the blog entry for Saint Walburga shortly.

I am interested in the St. Wallburg Abbey in Convinton, KY that taught art, especially ceramic painting around 1908 or earlier. My grandmother was a student in these classes and I am trying to learn more about the history behind the pieces I inherited.

HI Mary, I am not much on this matter. My supposition is that the abbey’s archives may maintain the files of the sisters who taught school. These files, if they in fact exist, may contain methodology and notes on Benedictine pedagogy. Having said that, there may be not systematic expositions on “Benedictine pedagogy” of the early 20th century relating to grammar schools administered by Benedictine sisters.
In any case, write to the Prioress of St Walburga’s presenting your interest asking her to put you in touch with the archivist who may know something, or may know how to proceed.
Thanks for reading Communio blog. PAX!

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