Saint Sturm facts for kids

Sturm (born around 705 – died December 17, 779) was an important religious leader. He was a student of Saint Boniface, who was known as the "Apostle of the Germans." Sturm is famous for starting the Benedictine monastery in Fulda, Germany. He was also its first abbot, leading the monastery from 747 until his death in 779. An abbot is the head of a monastery.

The Life of Saint Sturm

Early Years and Training

Sturm was born around 705 in Lorch, which is now in Austria. His family was likely connected to the powerful dukes of Bavaria. When he was young, his parents placed him in the care of Boniface. Boniface was busy organizing the church in Bavaria and Austria. He was setting up new church regions called bishoprics.

Sturm received his education at the Benedictine monastery in Fritzlar. There, he learned from the abbot, Wigbert.

A Missionary's Journey

After his education, Sturm worked as a missionary in northern Hesse. A missionary is someone who travels to spread their religious beliefs. In 736, he started a small religious settlement in a place called Haerulfisfeld. He became a priest in 740.

Boniface then sent him to work as a missionary in Westphalia for three years. Later, Sturm lived as a hermit in Hersfeld. A hermit is someone who lives alone, often for religious reasons. However, raiding Saxons forced him to leave his quiet home.

Founding Fulda Monastery

In 744, Boniface asked Sturm to build a new monastery. This land was given to Boniface by Carloman, a powerful Frankish leader. Sturm chose a spot by the Fulda River. It was where an old royal camp had been, but it was destroyed years earlier.

Sturm built the monastery there, and Boniface named him its first abbot. This new monastery became known as the Abbey of Fulda.

Learning and Challenges

Around 748, Sturm and two other monks traveled to Monte Cassino. This was a famous Benedictine monastery in Italy. They wanted to learn how to live as Benedictine monks and bring those practices back to Fulda. They spent a year visiting different monasteries.

Before returning, Sturm met with Pope Zachary. The Pope agreed to place Fulda monastery directly under the Pope's authority. This meant the monastery did not have to answer to local bishops. This decision later caused problems between Sturm and Lullus, the archbishop of Mainz. An archbishop is a very important bishop.

Despite these problems, Sturm made sure that Boniface was buried at Fulda. Boniface had been killed in 754. Because Boniface was buried there, Fulda became a major place for pilgrimage. A pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place. Many people, including Anglo-Saxons, came to visit. This brought a lot of respect and gifts to Fulda.

Exile and Return

Sturm worked hard to keep Fulda independent from the bishops of Mainz and Würzburg. In 763, Lullus convinced Pippin the Younger, the Frankish king, to send Sturm away. Sturm was banished from Fulda to a place called Jumièges in Normandy.

Lullus appointed a new abbot, but the monks at Fulda did not accept him. After two years, the monks convinced King Pippin to let Sturm come back. During his time away, Sturm lived among ordinary people. He became known as the "Quaint Saint" because he was very humble.

Later Years and Legacy

In 774, the Abbey of Fulda received special protection from Charlemagne, a very powerful king. Fulda was also given the job of spreading Christianity in Saxony. This made Fulda an important base for the Franks as they tried to take over Saxon lands and make them Christian.

Sturm started another abbey in Hamelin. However, when Charlemagne left to fight in Spain, the Saxons rebelled. They drove out the monks. In 779, Sturm went with Charlemagne into Saxony again. But he became sick and died soon after returning to Fulda on December 17, 779. He was buried in the cathedral at Fulda.

Veneration

Sturm was recognized as a saint before the great split in the Christian church in 1054. This split created the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. Both churches still honor him.

He was officially declared a saint in 1139 by Pope Innocent II. His life story was written down by Eigil of Fulda, who was the fourth abbot of Fulda. Eigil had been a monk under Sturm for over 20 years.

Today, you can find Saint Sturm's Fountain in Fulda, in front of the old town hall. It shows statues of Benedict, Boniface, and Sturm.