Winibald (Winebald, Winnibald, Wunebald, Wynbald) (c. 702 - 18 December 761) was abbot of the

Benedictine The Benedictines, officially the Order of Saint Benedict (, abbreviated as O.S.B. or OSB), are a mainly contemplative monastic order of the Catholic Church for men and for women who follow the Rule of Saint Benedict. Initiated in 529, th ...

double monastery A double monastery (also dual monastery or double house) is a monastery combining separate communities of monks and of nuns, joined in one institution to share one church and other facilities. The practice is believed to have started in the East ...

of Heidenheim am Hahnenkamm. Traditionally, he is called the brother of

Willibald Willibald (; c. 700 – c.787) was an 8th-century bishop of Eichstätt in Bavaria. Information about his life is largely drawn from the ''Hodoeporicon of Willibald'', a text written in the 8th century by Huneberc, an Anglo-Saxon nun from Hei ...

and Walpurga.

Life

Winibald's father was a West Saxon nobleman, Richard the Pilgrim and his mother was Wuna of Wessex.

was his brother. With his father and brother he made a pilgrimage to Rome around the year 721. His father died in Italy.Mershman, Francis. "Sts. Willibald and Winnebald." The Catholic Encyclopedia
Vol. 15. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 24 Apr. 2019 In Rome, they fell ill, possibly with malaria, although Hygeburg says it was the Black Plague. Once recovered, Willibord continued to the Holy Land, while Winebald, who from his childhood did not have a strong constitution, remained at Rome, to recover and study. In 730, Winibald returned to England and engaged a third brother and several amongst his kindred and acquaintance to accompany him in his journey back to Rome to begin a monastic life there.Stevens, Clifford. ''The One Year Book of Saints'', OSV Publishing
/ref> Around 737, Boniface visited Rome. By this time Willibald had returned from his travels, and had become a monk at

Monte Cassino The Abbey of Monte Cassino (today usually spelled Montecassino) is a Catholic Church, Catholic, Benedictines, Benedictine monastery on a rocky hill about southeast of Rome, in the Valle Latina, Latin Valley. Located on the site of the ancient ...

. Boniface recruited both nephews for the German mission. Willibald was ordained and based in Eichstätt. Boniface received a promise that Winnebald would go to Germany. Winibald arrived in Thuringia on 30 November, 740, and was ordained priest. He was placed in charge of seven churches, including one at

Erfurt Erfurt () is the capital (political), capital and largest city of the Central Germany (cultural area), Central German state of Thuringia, with a population of around 216,000. It lies in the wide valley of the Gera (river), River Gera, in the so ...

. Winibald established a monastery in Schwanfeld, but in 742 transferred it to Heidenheim, where the brothers founded a double monastery for the training of priests and as a center of learning. Winibald became the first abbot.Stanton, Richard. ''A Menology of England and Wales'', Burns & Oates, 1892, p. 602
/ref> Winibald took part in the Concilium Germanicum, in 742, and subscribed Pepin's donation to Fulda in 753. In 762, he joined the League of Attigny, a confraternity of prayer established by

Chrodegang Chrodegang (; ;Spellings of his name in (Latin) primary sources are extremely varied: Chrodegangus, Grodegandus, Grodegangus, Grodogangus, Chrodogandus, Krodegandus, Chrodegrangus, Chrotgangus, Ruotgangus, Droctegangus, Chrodegand, and Sirigangus ...

, Archbishop of Metz. All this the saint accomplished in spite of continual illness, which prevented him from ending his life at Monte Cassino as he had hoped. Winibald died at Heidenheim on December 18, 761.

Veneration

Winebald's feast day is December 18. In art, he is portrayed as an abbot with a bricklayer's trowel. He is a patron saint of construction workers. Adelbert of Heidenheim wrote a biography of him in the 12th century.

References

External links

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Saints of December 18
{{Authority control 8th-century Christian saints 761 deaths West Saxon saints Incorrupt saints Year of birth unknown