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July 2nd - Saint Otto
Bishop of Bamberg, born about 1060; died 30 June 1139. He belonged to
the noble, though not wealthy, family of Mistelbach in Swabia, not to the
Counts of Andechs. He was ordained priest, but where he was educated is not
known. While still young he joined the household of Duke Wladislaw of
Poland; in 1090 he entered the service of Emperor Henry IV, and about 1101
was made chancellor. In 1102 the emperor appointed and invested him as
Bishop of Bamberg. In the conflict of investitures he sided chiefly in
political matters with Henry IV, although he avoided taking sides openly. He
refused to be consecrated by a schismatic bishop. Through ambassadors he
declared his loyalty to the Holy See. In 1105 he joined the party of Henry
V, went to Rome, and there on 13 May 1106, was consecrated bishop. He never
became a partisan. In 1110-1111 he accompanied Henry on his journey to Rome,
but, like other noble characters, he disapproved of the disgraceful
treatment of Pope Paschal. This is clear from the fact that he received the
pallium from the pope on 15 April 1111. When the war broke out again, he did
not desert Henry V, and in consequence was suspended by the papal party at
the Synod in Fritzlar in 1118. At the Congress of Würzburg in 1121 he strove
hard for peace, which was concluded in 1122 at Worms. Meanwhile he had
devoted himself entirely to his diocese and as bishop had led a model,
simple, and even a poor life. He increased the possessions of the Church by
new acquisitions, recovered alienated dependencies, completed the cathedral,
improved the cathedral school, built castles and churches. In particular he
favoured the monks, and founded over twenty monasteries in the Dioceses of
Bamberg, Würzburg, Ratisbon, Passau, Eichstatt, Halberstadt and Aquileia. He
reformed other monasteries. Thus he merited the name of "Father of the
Monks".
His greatest service was his missionary work among the Pomeranians. In
the Peace with Poland in 1120 the latter had engaged to adopt Christianity.
Attempts to convert them through Polish priests and through an Italian
Bishop, Bernard, proved futile. Duke Boleslaus III then appealed to Otto,
and it is due to Otto that the undertaking partook of a German character.
Through an understanding with the pope, who appointed him legate, the
emperor and the princes, he started in May 1124, and traveled through
Prague, Breslau, Posen, and Gnesen in East Pomerania, was received by the
duke with great respect, and won over the people through his quiet yet firm
attitude, his magnificent appearance, generous donations, and gentle,
inspiring sermons. He converted Pyritz, Kammin, Stettin, Julin, and in nine
places established eleven churches; 22,165 persons were baptized. In 1125 he
returned to Bamberg. As heathen customs began to assert themselves again, he
once more journeyed to Pomerania through Magdeburg and Havelberg about the
year 1128. In the Diet of Usedom he gained over through his inspiring
discourses all the nobles of the land to Christendom. He then converted new
communities, and led back those who had fallen away. Even after his return
(in the same year) he was in constant communication with the Pomeranians and
sent them priests from Bamberg. His wish to consecrate a bishop for
Pomerania was not fulfilled as the Archbishops of Magdeburg and Gnesen
claimed the metropolitan rights. Only in 1140 was his former companion
Adalbert confirmed as Bishop of Julin. In 1188 the bishopric was removed to
Hammin and made directly subject to the Holy See. In Bamberg he once more
gave himself up to his duties as bishop and prince and performed them with
great zeal. He kept out of all political turmoil. In the papal schism of
1130-1131 he tried to remain neutral. The active, pious, clever bishop was
greatly esteemed by the other princes and by Emperor Lothair. He was buried
in the monastery of Saint Michael in Bamberg. Bishop Embrice of Würzburg
delivered the funeral oration and applied to Otto the words of Jeremias:
"The Lord called thy name, a plentiful olive tree, fair, fruitful, and
beautiful." On his mission journey he is reported to have worked many
miracles. Many happened also at his tomb. In 1189 Otto was canonized by
Clement III. His feast formally kept on 30 September, partly also on 30
June; in Pomerania on 1 October.
-Klemens Löffler, The Catholic Encyclopedia
Saint Quote:
If we look forward to receiving God's mercy, we can never fail to do good so
long as we have the strength. For if we share with the poor, out of love for
God, whatever he has given to us, we shall receive according to his promise
a hundredfold in eternal happiness. What a fine profit, what a blessed
reward! With outstretched arms he begs us to turn toward him, to weep for
our sins, and to become the servants of love, first for ourselves, then for
our neighbors. Just as water extinguishes a fire, so love wipes away sin.
-Saint John of God
Bible Quote:
Did I make a mistake when I humbled myself so that you might be exalted,
because I preached the Gospel of God to you without charge? (2 Cor 11:1-11)
<><><><>
Our Mother, Mary
Thou art clement, thou art chaste,
Mary, thou art fair;
Of all mothers sweetest, best,
None with thee compare.
O Mother blest! whom God bestows
On, sinners and on just,
What joy, what hope, thou givest those
Who in thy mercy trust!
Thou art clement, etc.
O heavenly Mother! Mistress sweet!
It never yet was told
That suppliant sinner left thy feet
Unpitied, unconsoled.
Thou art clement, etc.
O Mother pitiful and mild!
Cease not to pray for me;
For I do love thee as a child,
And sigh for love of thee.
Thou art clement, etc.
Most pow'rful Mother! all men know
Thy Son denies thee nought;
Thou askest-wishest it-and, lo,
His power thy will has wrought.
Thou art clement, etc.
Mother of Love! for me obtain,
Ungrateful though I be,
To love that God Who first could deign
To show such love to me.
Thou art clement, etc. |
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