St. Rupert

Saint Rupert

Saint Rupert is remembered as the great evangelizer of Bavaria and the founder of Salzburg, one of the most important Christian cities in Central Europe.

Even today, information about his origins is not completely certain.

According to tradition, he was born around 650 A.D., probably in Worms, Germany, where he served as bishop or regional missionary.

Around 700 A.D., Duke Theodo II of Bavaria invited him to the Duchy of Bavaria in order to establish a new independent diocese in Iuvavum, the ancient Roman city corresponding to present-day Salzburg.

On the banks of the Salzach River, Saint Rupert began an extraordinary work of evangelization and religious renewal.

On the ruins of the Roman city he founded the famous Saint Peter’s Abbey, still considered the oldest monastery in Austria.

He also founded a convent on Mount Nonnberg entrusted to the abbess Erentrude, his niece.

The Nonnberg convent is regarded as the oldest continuously existing Christian women’s monastery in the world.

Thanks to Saint Rupert’s work, ancient Iuvavum gradually became an important cultural, religious and intellectual center.

Rupert also founded the town of Bischofshofen and the famous Weltenburg Abbey in Bavaria.

Because of his intense missionary activity, he is often called the “Apostle of Bavaria.”

Saint Rupert devoted his entire life to the poor and needy.

He crossed mountains, valleys and difficult territories in order to proclaim the Gospel and combat superstition and pagan practices.

He also promoted the mining of salt in the Salzburg region, understanding how this activity could economically support many poor families.

His life was guided by the principle:

“Death takes everything away. Only what we give to the poor will remain stored for us in Heaven.”

Saint Rupert died around 718 A.D. in Salzburg.

Since 774 A.D., his relics have been preserved in the magnificent Salzburg Cathedral.

Even today, he remains one of the most venerated saints of Austria and Bavaria.

Iconography: Saint Rupert is depicted as a bishop with a barrel of salt, symbolizing the salt mining activity promoted in Salzburg, with a book or the miraculous image of Altötting.

Feast day: March 27.

Patronage: Of the federal state and archdiocese of Salzburg, Carinthia, southeastern Bavaria, salt miners, dogs and invoked against erysipelas and childhood cramps.