Saint Ulric of Augsburg

Biography

Saint Ulric of Augsburg, also known as Ulric of Augusta, was born in 890 in Kyburg, Zurich, Switzerland. He was the son of Count Hucpald and Thetbirga and was related to the dukes of Alamannia and the imperial family of the Ottos. Despite being a sickly child, Ulric showed great promise and was educated at the monastic school of Saint Gall, where he proved to be an exceptional student. After completing his education, Ulric became the chamberlain to his uncle, Blessed Adalbero, who was the bishop of Augsburg. During this time, Ulric exhibited deep piety and a strong desire to serve the Church. He eventually decided to become a priest and was ordained. In 923, Ulric was appointed as the bishop of Augsburg. As bishop, he dedicated himself to building churches and worked tirelessly to improve the conditions of the sick in hospitals. He also made it a priority to visit his parishes regularly, setting a good example for his priests and fostering a sense of moral and social responsibility among both clergy and laity. One of Ulric's notable achievements came during the Magyar invasion of Germany. When the Magyars besieged Augsburg, Ulric displayed great courage, leadership, and organizational skills, allowing the city to hold out until Emperor Otto arrived. Ultimately, the Magyars were defeated in the Battle of Lechfeld on August 10, 955. While some legends suggest that Ulric fought in the battle, it is widely considered impossible. After serving as bishop for 48 years, Ulric became ill and exhausted, prompting him to resign his seat. He then handed the diocese over to his nephew, a decision that had the blessing of the emperor. However, the Synod of Ingelheim deemed this move uncanonical and charged and tried the aging bishop for nepotism. Ulric apologized, performed penance, and sought forgiveness, which he eventually received on his deathbed. At one point, a letter circulated falsely indicating that Ulric did not support priestly celibacy. However, this was later proven to be a forgery, as Ulric himself had upheld the discipline of celibacy both in his own life and among his clergy. Saint Ulric holds the distinction of being the first saint to be formally canonized by a pope, which initiated the process that continues to this day. He became known for his patronage of pregnant women, as legend has it that those who drank from his chalice had easy deliveries. Consequently, he is considered a patron against birth complications. Additionally, the touch of his pastoral cross was believed to heal people bitten by rabid dogs. Saint Ulric is often depicted in art as a bishop holding a fish, dining with Saint Wolfgang, rewarding a messenger with a goose leg that miraculously turns into a fish on Friday morning, giving a fish or a garment to beggars, being accompanied by Saint Afra, riding through a river on horseback while his companion sinks, and holding a cross given to him by an angel. Ulric died on July 4, 973, in Augsburg, Germany, of natural causes and was buried in the Church of Saint Afra. Earth from his grave was believed to repel rodents, and over the centuries, people have taken it away for that purpose. Pope John XV canonized him on February 3, 993. Saint Ulric of Augsburg is the patron saint against birth complications, dizziness, faintness, fever, frenzy, mice, moles, and vertigo. He is also venerated as the patron saint of a happy death, pregnant women, weavers, the city of Augsburg in Germany, and the diocese of Augsburg. He is also recognized as a patron in Creazzo, Italy, and Ovasta and Ovaro in Italy.