Wiborada von St. Gallen

Wiborada of St. Gallen – the first woman to be canonized worldwide – lived 1100 years ago as an anchoress in a cell by the Church of St. Mangen. She became known for her openness to all people despite her way of life: through a window, she blessed bread and wine and offered counsel to both secular and spiritual leaders. She prayed the Psalms daily. Not least, her martyrdom during the military invasion of the Hungarians in Eastern Switzerland led to veneration, stories of miracles, and her canonization. Wiborada's enclosed yet free life is interesting for many reasons. This volume brings together perspectives from theology, history, and religious studies, making a piece of Switzerland's religious history visible and showing how the legacy of that time can be made fruitful for today's church, political, and social life.