Saint Odile of Alsace

Life story

Odile, who lived from about 662 to about 720, was the daughter of Etichon, also called Athich, Adalrich or Aldaric, duke of Alsace and founder of the Etichonid family. She is venerated in both the Catholic and the Orthodox churches.

Most of her biography is legend. A ninth-century Life of Odilia describes her as born blind; a tenth-century legend says she was baptised by Bishop Erhard of Regensburg and regained her sight. Details such as her escape in a cave and her brief revival are legendary. The sources are also inconsistent about the date of the Life: some say the ninth century, others the tenth, possibly based on an eighth-century original.

By tradition she founded the abbey of Hohenburg (now Mont Sainte-Odile), and later Niedermünster after a vision of John the Baptist. Her niece Eugenia succeeded her as abbess at Mont Sainte-Odile. She died around 720 at Niedermünster. Her feast is 13 December, and 14 December in Alsace. She is patron of Alsace and, by long tradition, of those with eye ailments.

Works and witness

• Daughter of Duke Etichon of Alsace
• By tradition, founded the abbey of Hohenburg (Mont Sainte-Odile)
• By tradition, founded Niedermünster as well
• Died around 720
• Patron of Alsace

Patron of

Alsace, People with eye ailments

Saints from the same country

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Saint Louis IX of France, Saint Joan of Arc, Saint Francis de Sales

References

• Catholic Encyclopedia, "St. Odilia" (newadvent.org/cathen/11207b.htm)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.