Saint Vicelin

Also known as: Apostle of Holstein
Apostle of Obodriten
Vicelinus
Vincelin
Vizelin
Wissel
Witzel
Wizelin
Memorial: 12 December
Profile: Orphaned when still a child. Studied at Hameln and in the cathedral school of Paderborn. Canon at Bremen, Germany. Teacher and principal of the school at Bremen. Spiritual student of Saint Norbert of Magdeburg who ordained him. Missionary to the Wagrian Wends in northeastern Germany in autumn 1126, and to Slavs in surrounding areas. Founded monasteries at Neumunster, Holstein, Segeberg, and Hogersdorf. In 1147 most of what he had built and done was wiped out in a series of raids by pirates; he and several of his priests fled back to the Empire. Bishop of Oldenburg in 1149; known for the spirituality of his flock, and for his good works for the poor. His last two years he suffered a painful paralysis from an unknown malady.
Born: c.1088 at Hemeln, Lower Saxony, Germany
Died: 1154 at Neumunster, Lorraine, France of natural causes
re-interred in front of the altar in Bordesholm in 1332
Representation: bishop with a church sitting on his left arm
Additional Information: Biographisch-Bibliographischen Kirchenlexikons deutsch
Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
Catholic Encyclopedia, by Francis Mershman
Catholic Online
Google Directory
Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson
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