March 26
Ludgerio
Priest
He was born in Holland in 741; He died on March 26, 809 in Germany.
Biography
He was ordained a priest in Cologne. He undertook the evangelization of Friesland, his homeland, which at that time was pagan (775). Around 788 the emperor Charlemagne, who had just subdued the Saxons, charged him with the mission of converting them. This was the mission for the next twenty years. His methods succeeded where procedures of coercion or violence had failed. He founded monasteries after the model of Monte Cassino and strove to form an educated and virtuous clergy. As he gave a lot of alms, certain clerics accused him before the emperor of squandering ecclesiastical assets and neglecting the maintenance of the churches. Ludgerio appeared before Charlemagne reading the breviary. "Wait until the Nonas is over," the bishop asked him. "Monsieur Bishop," the Emperor replied, "it is a lack of respect that you show me by entering in that way." But Ludgerio replied: «Sire, God is not below your majesty. And I would not obey you if I did not serve God above all. With this response Charlemagne understood everything: "It is true, Ludgerio, and you are right to act in the way you think is most appropriate."
Practical advice
Trusting in God's grace, exercise authority as a service and not as a privilege and end with a brief thanksgiving.