Irmgard of Chiemsee facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Blessed Irmengard of Chiemsee
Frecsco at the burial place of Bl. Irmengard in Frauenwörth minster
Born	c. 830/833 Regensburg, Bavaria
Died	16 July 866 Frauenchiemsee
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church
Beatified	17 July 1929 by Pope Pius XI
Feast	16 July
Attributes	crowned, in Benedictine habit with the crozier of an abbess, holding a flaming heart

Irmgard of Chiemsee (also known as Irmengard) was a special princess from a very old royal family called the Carolingian dynasty. She was born around 831 or 833 and passed away on July 16, 866. Irmgard was the second daughter of King Louis the German and his wife, Queen Hemma. She became the first leader, or abbess, of a place called Frauenwörth Abbey in 857 and served there until her death.

Who Was Irmgard of Chiemsee?

Irmgard was a princess from the powerful Carolingian family. This family ruled a large empire in Europe many centuries ago. Her father, King Louis the German, was a very important ruler. Irmgard was one of his daughters, and like many royal children back then, she was chosen to live a religious life.

Her Early Life and Education

Irmgard was born in Regensburg, a city in Bavaria, which is now part of Germany. She grew up in her father's royal court. From a young age, it was decided that Irmgard and her sisters would dedicate their lives to God.

She was sent to be raised at a Benedictine abbey called Buchau Abbey in Swabia. Benedictine abbeys were like special schools and communities for religious people. Irmgard received an excellent education there. Later, her father, the King, even gave her control over the lands belonging to Buchau Abbey.

Becoming an Abbess

Around the year 850, King Louis chose Irmgard to become the abbess of Frauenwörth. An abbess is like the head or leader of a convent, which is a community of nuns. Frauenwörth Abbey was founded a long time ago, in 782, by Duke Tassilo III of Bavaria. It was a very important place because it had the special status of an Imperial abbey. This meant it was directly under the protection of the Emperor.

When Irmgard became abbess, the buildings at Frauenwörth were in need of repair. Under her leadership, the abbey was restored and made beautiful again. She helped turn the community, which was originally for noble ladies, into a proper Benedictine convent for nuns. Because she was from a royal family, the abbess of Frauenwörth had a special privilege: she was allowed to wear a thin golden band, almost like a small crown.

Honoring Irmgard

People began to honor Irmgard as a saint very early on, even in the 11th century. In 1004, her head relic (a special item connected to a saint) was moved to Seeon Abbey.

However, she was officially declared "Blessed" (a step before becoming a saint) much later, on July 17, 1929. This was done by Pope Pius XI, thanks to the efforts of a church leader named Cardinal Faulhaber. In 2003, her relics were brought back together in a special ceremony.

Irmgard's feast day, which is a day to celebrate her, is July 16. At Frauenchiemsee, where she lived and served, they celebrate "Irmengardstag" on the Sunday closest to July 16. In paintings, Irmgard is often shown wearing the simple clothes of a Benedictine nun. She might be wearing a crown and holding a Bible or a staff (a symbol of her leadership). Sometimes, she is shown holding a flaming heart, which represents her deep faith.