Saint Odilia of Alsace

Biography

Saint Odilia of Alsace, also known as Odilia of Hohenbourg, Odilia of Hohenburg, Adilia, Odile, Othilia, and Ottilia, was born around the year 660 in Oberheim, located in the Vosges Mountains of Alsace, France. She was the daughter of the Duke of Alsace, Lord Aldaric (also known as Etichon or Athich), and his wife, Bereswinda. Tragically, Saint Odilia was born blind, leading her family to see her disability as a burden. Faced with societal prejudices against disability and gender, her family made the difficult decision to abandon her. However, they decided against killing her and instead entrusted her to a peasant family. At the age of twelve, Saint Odilia found a new home in a convent. It was during her baptism by Saint Erhard of Regensburg that a miraculous event occurred – upon being anointed with chrism, she regained her sight. This miraculous healing brought attention to her incredible connection with God and marked the beginning of her spiritual journey. Unfortunately, her newfound sight drew unwanted attention from her brother, who intended to use her in an arranged marriage. When Odilia heard of her brother’s machinations and the subsequent anger it stirred in their father, she was determined to escape this fate. The situation escalated when her father, in a fit of rage, accidentally killed her brother. Filled with sorrow and grief, Odilia implored God to restore her brother's life. Miraculously, her prayer was answered, and her brother was raised back to life. To escape the impending marriage and the turmoil that followed, Odilia sought refuge in the convent once again. However, her father was relentless in his pursuit and tracked her down. As he approached the mountain where Odilia had sought shelter, a passage magically opened, leading to a cave that concealed her. When her father attempted to breach the hiding place, rocks suddenly fell, deterring him from continuing his pursuit. Realizing the divine intervention, he finally relented and abandoned his quest to bring her back. Embracing her calling to religious life, Saint Odilia officially joined the abbey, and her unwavering dedication and strong leadership qualities eventually led her to become the abbess. In her position of authority, she founded the Hohenburg Abbey on Mount Odilienberg in Alsace, a place that held deep spiritual significance for her. The abbey would later serve as a beacon of faith and a center of devotion for many followers. Saint Odilia was known for her deep faith, her commitment to prayer, and her dedication to serving others. She displayed unwavering vigilance in her spiritual journey, symbolized by the representation of a rooster, and her devotion to God was depicted through her representation as an abbess praying before an altar. Additionally, the portrayal of a woman holding a book with two eyes symbolizes her miraculous healing and her association with the herbal healing of eye problems, represented by larkspur. Saint Odilia's feast day is celebrated on December 13th, and it is believed that she passed away on that same day in the year 720 at Niedermunster, Mount Sainte Odile, Germany, due to natural causes. It is said that after her death, she briefly returned to life to share the beauty of heaven with her sisters, as well as to partake in one last communion. Saint Odilia was buried in a chapel near the convent church on Mount Odilienberg. Recognized for her remarkable life and the numerous miracles associated with her, Saint Odilia was canonized as a saint, although her canonization predates the modern Congregation for the Causes of Saints. She is venerated as the patron saint against eye disease and eye problems, as well as the patron saint of Alsace, France, a designation proclaimed by Pope Pius VII in 1807. Her legacy continues to inspire believers, particularly those facing challenges of disability and adversity, as they seek intercession for healing and guidance.