The saints of the day: courageous martyrs and powerful monastery founders

The saints of the day: courageous martyrs and powerful monastery founders

On January 18th, many people remember St. Odilo, who died in 748 as Duke of Bavaria and founder of a monastery. He significantly reorganized the church in Bavaria and brought the Niederaltaich monastery into being. His commitment is legendary: he commissioned Boniface to rebuild the church in the region and installed Virgilius as Bishop of Salzburg.

But on this day it's not just his achievements that are in focus. Saint Prisca, who lived in Rome in the 1st century and was baptized by Peter, and Saint Margaret of Hungary, who was born in Croatia in 1242, are also honored by believers. The latter entered a Dominican convent when she was just 12 years old and, despite marriage requests, chose a life of virginity.

Virginity in the Christian tradition

The idea of ​​virginity has a long tradition in Christian moral teaching. This virtue represents voluntary abstinence until the end of life and was promoted by many important figures in the Church. For example, St. Jerome warned that marriage can often make women dependent on men. Saint Augustine, on the other hand, valued marriage and celibacy differently depending on one's life path, although he gave celibacy the higher status.

Virginity was considered not only a personal virtue, but also a sign of faith. On the path to becoming the ideal Christian, it was seen as a worthy goal that was associated with a greater reward in the afterlife. Corrupt virgins were therefore entitled to a hundred times their wages, while married women would only receive thirty times their wages unless they were in a “spiritual marriage”.

From ancient times to modern times

Pope Pius XII also addressed the concept of virginity. new impetus when he published the teaching letter “Sacra Virginitas” on March 25, 1954. In it, virginity was viewed as superior and praised as part of a Christian lifestyle. Despite modern influences, celibacy remains for Roman Catholic priests, although it is increasingly being questioned today.

In 1965, the Second Vatican Council officially devalued the view of virginity as the highest value, showing how discussion of the issue continues to occupy a space in the Church. However, there are still women who dedicate themselves to this ideal lifestyle and consecrated virgins who are active in their professional lives and take their vows at the same time.

The topic of virginity, as it has been shaped over the centuries, remains an exciting and complex topic in the context of the Christian faith community.