Odile, "Sainte Patronne de l'Alsace", was born circa 660-662. She was the daughter of Etichon (Adalric) d'Alsace [1] and Berswinde [2]. Berswinde, born circa 640, would be the niece of Saint Léger d'Autun (Léodegar), and not his aunt according to the chronology. [3] Odile had four brothers: Adalbert, Batticho, Hugo and Haicho. [4] [5] [6] [7]
Etichon would have rejected his daughter, born blind, and wanted to get rid of her. Berswinde protected her and entrusted her to a nanny, then sent them to the monastery of Palma (Baume-les-Dames). [8] [9]
At 12, she miraculously recovered her sight at the time of her baptism. Some time later, Odile wanted to return to her parents. Hugo, her brother, would have spoken about it to his father, but he still did not want to know anything about her. Hugo would then have decided to look for her, and this in spite of the formal defense of the father. On Odile’s return to Hohenbourg, Etichon would have fatally struck Hugo in a fit of fury. [9]
Later, his father repented and offered his castle of Hohenbourg (today Mont Sainte-Odile) to Odile. She transformed it into a female convent and there led a life of charity and prayer. She died there. [8] [9]
She was canonized by Pope Leon IX. [6] [10]
Today the Mont Sainte-Odile, topped by the Abbey of Hohenbourg, is a place of pilgrimage. You can still visit the tombs of Saint Odile and her parents. [6]
Do not confuse Hohenbourg Castle above (Mont Sainte-Odile) with Hohenbourg Castle in Wingen (village north of Lembach, Alsace, and not Wingen-sur-Moder).
See also:
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