St. Rupert of Salzburg

St. Rupert of Salzburg was born in Worms around 660 into the Merovingian royal family. Little is known about his childhood. He joined the priesthood and did missionary work in Germany. He was elevated to bishop of Worms around 700, but the pagan community forced him out of the city.

The duke of Bavaria invited him to mission to the Bavarian tribes, so Rupert moved to Altotting. From there, he travelled down the Danube and preached, converting many in several towns and villages. Unstable politics along the duchy’s border regions caused him to pause his travelling mission work. He settled in an old, ruined Roman settlement of Juvavum and renamed it Salzburg for the nearby salt mines.

In Salzburg, Christianity had been introduced, but the faith and city had waned in previous years. Rupert reestablished the monastic community, laid the foundations of Salzburg Cathedral, founded a Benedictine nunnery, introduced higher education, and promoted the development of the salt works to bring money into the city. His reforms have earned him the title as founder of the city.

St. Rupert died on Easter Sunday around 710, though some reports say he returned to Worms until 717. His remains were transferred to the Salzburg Cathedral in 774. He is known as the Apostle of the Bavarians and is the patron saint of Salzburg, salt miners, and one of the patrons of Austria. He is often depicted holding a jar of salt. His feast day is March 27 but is celebrated in Austria on September 24, the date his relics returned to his city.