A reformer and bishop of the Church, St. Wolfgang of Ratisbon was born in Swabia, Germany. Benedictines led by St. Romuald educated him at Reichenau, Switzerland. He joined the Order at Einsiedeln abbey rising through the ranks from teacher to director to prior in 970.
Wolfgang was a missionary in Hungary and Pannonia. He became bishop of Ratisbon in 972 on orders of Emporer Otto II reforming congregational spirituality and priestly discipline. Known for teaching, preaching, and charity, he was called the Eleemosynarius Major, or the Great Almoner (both referring to being a distributor of alms), and took special care of lay members of his diocese.
Tutor to the boy who became Emperor Henry II, Wolfgang was a tireless advocate of reform, education and the poor. He restored monasteries and was known as zealot and statesman. He died at Puppingen, Linz, Austria in 994. Pope St. Leo IX canonized him in 1052. His feast day is Oct. 31.
