St. Ludolf of Ratzeburg

Feastday: March 29
Death: 1250

Ludolf was a Norbertine priest (a canon regular of the Premonstratensian Order). In 1236 he was chosen to become bishop of the German see of Ratzeburg. While fulfilling his episcopal duties, he continued the practices of his Norbertine religious life. For his courageous defense of the Church, he was imprisoned and harshly treated by Duke Albrecht of Saxony-Lauenburg. Subsequently he fell ill and died from what he had suffered. A soldier tormented by excruciating pains in his head resulting from an arrowhead that had become embedded in his flesh during battle invoked the intercession of Saint Ludolf. Soon afterward, he found that the arrowhead had shifted to the surface of his head wound, so that he was able to extricate it with his hand. In thanksgiving to God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Saint Ludolf, the soldier donated to the Church a lavishly decorated missal and several beautifully adorned liturgical vestments.

Ludolph of Ratzeburg was a Premonstratensian Bishop of Ratzeburg.

Religious life

In 1236, Ludolph was appointed to the see of the newly formed Prince-Bishopric of Ratzeburg. Ludolph came into conflict with Duke Albert I of Saxony and was duly imprisoned, where he was badly beaten, and later sent into exile. In exile Ludolph was taken in by Duke John of Mecklenburg, but died soon after in 1250 because of the abuse he received in prison.

Legacy

One legend tells of a soldier who was wounded when an arrowhead was embedded in his head. The soldier, who was in great pain, invoked the intercession of St. Ludolph, and he was soon able to remove the arrow and was healed.