St. Willibald

Saint Willibald was an English bishop, missionary, and pilgrim who helped spread the Christian faith in Germany during the eighth century. He is remembered for his missionary work, his extensive travels to the Holy Land, and his close connection to several great saints of the early Church.

Willibald was born in Wessex, England, into a devout Christian family. He was the brother of Saint Winebald and Saint Walburga, and through his mother he was related to the great missionary Saint Boniface. As a young man, he studied in a monastery at Waltham in Hampshire, where he grew in learning and holiness.

Around the year 722, Willibald set out on a pilgrimage to Rome with his father. During the journey, his father died at Lucca, Italy. Despite this loss, Willibald continued on to Rome and then journeyed to Jerusalem. During his travels in the Holy Land, he was captured by Saracens who suspected him of being a spy. After a time, he was released and allowed to continue his pilgrimage.

Willibald visited many of the sacred places associated with the life of Jesus Christ. After leaving the Holy Land, he traveled to Constantinople, modern-day Istanbul, Turkey. There he visited numerous lauras, monasteries, and hermitages, learning from the monks and holy men he encountered.