Willibald

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Saint Willibald
Born Wessex
Died ~787 AD, Eichstätt
Venerated in Roman Catholic Church
Feast 11 July
Saints Portal

Saint Willibald (born in Wessex, died 787 or 781 in Eichstätt) was an 8th century bishop of Eichstätt in Bavaria. His travels to Rome, Asia Minor, and Jerusalem were recorded in preserved manuscripts written by Huneberc, an Anglo-Saxon nun from Heidenheim. In the 720s he was taken prisoner by the Saracens, who first took him to be a spy, but was later released when that allegation was disproven. His experiences provide a first hand account of the regional conflicts between the Christians and the Saracens.

He was the brother of Saint Walburga and settled in Monte Cassino (730-740 C.E.). He was sent to Germany by Pope Gregory III to assist Saint Boniface.

His feast day is 11 July.

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