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Saint Otto of Bamberg
Image: Wolfgang Sauber · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Saint Otto of Bamberg

Bishop of Bamberg known as the Apostle of Pomerania

Rank
Saint
Kind
Bishop, Missionary
Life
1060 – 1139
Era
12th century
Feast
2 July
Countries
Germany, Poland
PolandGermany

Life story

Otto was born around 1060 into a noble Swabian family in southern Germany; his exact birthplace is uncertain. After a thorough education he followed Judith, sister of Emperor Henry IV, to the Polish court as a chaplain when she married Duke Władysław I Herman. He then entered the emperor's service, oversaw the building of Speyer Cathedral, and became imperial chancellor in 1101 or early 1102.

In 1102 he was chosen bishop of Bamberg. Because of the conflict between Church and empire, he was not consecrated until 1106, when Pope Paschal II did so at Anagni. For years he acted as a go-between for the two sides and helped prepare the Concordat of Worms of 1122, which ended the dispute over the investiture of bishops. At Bamberg he rebuilt the cathedral after a fire, founded parishes and hospitals, and founded or renewed some thirty monasteries.

At the invitation of Duke Bolesław III Wrymouth of Poland, who had recently subdued Pomerania, and with papal approval, Otto travelled there in 1124 and returned to Bamberg in 1125. He went back in 1128 with the backing of Duke Wartislaw I. According to the sources he baptised more than twenty thousand people and founded churches in towns such as Pyrzyce, Kamień, Szczecin and Wolin; a bishop of Pomerania of its own was appointed only after his death.

He died in Bamberg on 30 June 1139 and was buried at Michelsberg Abbey. Pope Clement III canonised him in 1189. The Roman Martyrology keeps his memorial on 2 July, while the diocese of Bamberg celebrates 30 September.

Works and witness

  • Chaplain at the Polish court, then imperial chancellor to Henry IV
  • Bishop of Bamberg from 1102, consecrated in 1106
  • Helped prepare the Concordat of Worms in 1122
  • Led two missions to Pomerania (1124–1125 and 1128)
  • Canonised by Pope Clement III in 1189

Saints from the same country

Saint Ambrose, Saint Hildegard of Bingen, Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), Saint Bruno of Cologne

References

  • Encyclopedia.com, Otto of Bamberg, St. (New Catholic Encyclopedia)
  • Ökumenisches Heiligenlexikon, Otto von Bamberg (Catholic Encyclopedia text; 1189 canonisation, feast dates: Roman Martyrology 2 July, Bamberg 30 September)
  • Wikipedia, Otto of Bamberg (missions of 1124-1125 and 1128)

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