Saint Magnus of Füssen

Biography

Saint Magnus of Füssen, also known as the Apostle of the Algäu, Maginaldus, Maginold, and Magno, was a priest and a Benedictine. He was born in the 6th century and became a spiritual disciple of Saint Columban and Saint Gall at Arbon, which is part of modern-day Switzerland. After the death of Saint Gall, Magnus became the superior of his house. Later, at the request of the bishop of Augsburg, Bavaria, he embarked on a mission to evangelize in Eptaticus, located in the eastern part of Allgäu, Bavaria. It was during this time that Magnus founded the monastery of Füssen, near the River Lech in Bavaria. The site of the monastery is still known as Sant Mangstritt, meaning "footstep of Saint Magnus." The life of Saint Magnus of Füssen is accompanied by various extraordinary stories, often involving animals. In the town of Kempten, he is said to have dispersed a plague of snakes, demonstrating his power and authority. Additionally, in Füssen, Magnus was confronted by a dragon that occupied the land he needed for the monastery. According to one version of the story, Magnus spared an infant dragon who proved valuable to the local farmers by hunting rats, mice, and other crop-damaging vermin. Legend also tells of an encounter between Magnus and a bear while he was on a walk in the woods near the monastery. To Magnus' surprise, the bear showed him a vein of iron ore. In gratitude, Magnus shared some cake with the bear, which then followed him back to the abbey. Magnus, accompanied by the bear, gathered tools and monks, and the bear led them to several other iron ore sources in the nearby mountains. This incident played a significant role in the foundation of the area's prosperous iron ore industry. Saint Magnus of Füssen is commemorated annually on September 6th, the day of his feast. He passed away around the year 666 at the monastery in Füssen, Bavaria, from natural causes. Although his canonization occurred before the establishment of the modern canonization process, he is widely venerated as a saint. Magnus is particularly sought after as a patron against caterpillars, hail, hailstorms, lightning, snakes, and vermin. He is also invoked for the protection of crops. The life of Saint Magnus of Füssen exemplifies his deep faith, dedication to evangelization, and his ability to connect with both humans and animals. His association with miraculous events and his significant contributions to the establishment of the monastery in Füssen has made him an inspiration to many throughout the centuries.