Saint Wiborada | First Woman Canonized by the Holy See | Feast Day May 2nd
Saint Wiborada lived in the 10th century and became an anchoress connected to the Abbey of Saint Gall in modern-day Switzerland. She chose a hidden life of prayer, sacrifice, and deep devotion to God. But her life was far from insignificant. She became known for wisdom, spiritual counsel, and prophetic insight. According to tradition, she warned the monks of an incoming invasion, helping preserve valuable manuscripts and treasures. She ultimately died as a martyr during the attack. In 1047, she became the first woman formally canonized by the Holy See under Pope Clement II. She is remembered for: Her hidden life of prayer Her courage and prophetic wisdom Her historic canonisation Saint Wiborada reminds us: hidden lives can have powerful impact prayer is never wasted Saint Wiborada, pray for us. Feast Day: May 2 Benedictine nun Martyr and woman of prayer
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Guiborat
Viborada
Weibrath
Memorial
2 May
Profile
Born to the Swabian nobility. Her brother, Hatto, was a priest and provost of Saint Magnus church. Wiborada turned her home into a hospital for the sick poor people that her brother brought to her. Pilgrim to Rome, Italy. Benedictine nun at Saint Gall’s monastery, where she worked as a bookbinder.
Subject of virulent criticism, she eventually withdrew further from the world, becoming an anchoress first near Saint Gall’s, then near her brother’s church. Noted for her austerity, and a gift of prophecy, she drew many visitors and would-be students. One of her prophecies involved the Hungarian invasion of her region; her warning allowed the priests and religious of Saint Gall and Saint Magnus to escape, but Wiborada refused to leave her hermit‘s cell and was found by the invaders. Martyr.
Born
9th century at Klingna, Aargau, Switzerland
Died
axed to death in 926
Canonized
1047 by Pope Clement II
first woman formally canonized by the Vatican
Representation