St. Wolfgang, St. Olympias and the Christian Life of Charity

Introduction

The Catechism teaches us that Jesus "is the source of the Church's whole apostolate". The fruitfulness of the apostolate - whether it be in work, family life, ministry, or mission - depends on its vital union with Christ. And it is "charity, drawn from the Eucharist" which will always be "as it were, the soul of the whole apostolate" (Catechism #864).

St. Wolfgang, Bishop of Ratisbon

Many are inspired by the spiritual charism of popular saints like St. Francis of Assisi, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, and St. Maximillian Kolbe (a martyr of charity). The Christian life of charity they lived produced a lot of good because of their faithful union with Christ. Not all saints are popular like Francis, Teresa or Maximillian, but their lives are also marked with a high degree of holiness and charity. One such life is that of St. Wolfgang of Ratisbon.

925-994 A.D. - From Swabia to Ratisbon

St. Wolfgang was born in Swabia (an area in the history of early Germany) in 925 A.D. Educated at the Abbey of Reichenau, he taught for a time at Wurzburg, and then travelled to Einsiedeln, Switzerland to become a Benedictine monk. A life of mission and charity then followed when he became a missionary to the Magyars of Pannonia (now the area populated by present-day Hungary and the Balkans). Although St. Wolfgang's efforts brought little reward, he was nevertheless appointed as Archbishop of Ratisbon (probably present-day Regensburg, Germany) by Emperor Otto II. As archbishop, Wolfgang preached ardently and was known for his concern for the poor. For a time, Wolfgang wanted to leave his post as archbishop and live a quiet life in seclusion as a hermit. However, he had to remain in his post for the rest of his life. St. Wolfgang's reputation for great sanctity and miracles continued even after his death in 994 A.D. at Puppingen near Linz, Austria.

St. Olympias, Widow

Like St. Wolfgang, St. Olympias also strove to live a holy life with a special commitment of charity to the poor. If Wolfgang lived in Western Europe in the 10th century, Olympias lived in Asia Minor (in present-day Istanbul, Turkey) from ca. 361 - ca. 408 A.D.

Olympias came from a family of material wealth but of sound spiritual background. That is why early in life she already practiced virtue and holiness. She married but was widowed early. After refusing a second marriage, she committed herself to work for the Church and the poor. She used her great material inheritance for her works of charity. Olympias even established a hospital and an orphanage, gave shelter to the monks of Nitria, and was a strong support to St. John Chrysostom (in the latter's fight against the heresies of early Christianity). However, the politics during that time affected her work and thus caused the disbanding of her followers and companions, and the end to her charitable ministries. Olympias died in exile in Nicomedia on July 25 - less than a year after the death of St. John Chrysostom.

Summary and conclusion

The Christian life of charity can be lived by all Christians in any state of life or vocation. The universal call to holiness and charity is meant for all in Christianity. St. Wolfgang lived this life in his mission to be the archbishop of Ratisbon. St. Olympias also lived a life of mission, holiness and charity in her state of life as a generous widow. Whatever a person's state of life or vocation, it is possible to be faithful to Christ and to follow His example - applying it to the daily realities of Christian living (work, family life, ministry, mission, governance or administration).

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