Blessed Ursula Haider was born in 1413 AD in Leutkirch. She lived as a Swabian abbess of the Poor Clare monasteries Valduna and Villingen. She died on January 20 1498 AD, in Villingen. Her feast day is celebrated on January 20.
Blessed Ursula Haider’s Life History
Blessed Ursula Haider was born in 1413 AD in Leutkirch and was baptized in honor of her mother, Ursula. She was unfortunately orphaned shortly after her birth and was raised by her maternal grandmother.
She was educated at the hermitage Reute at Waldsee, where she developed the desires to become a nun and in result shunning the marriage life in pursuit of this goal.
She joined the Poor Clare monastery on July 29 1431 in Valduna and was known to have been particularly mindful of cancer patients. She was later elected superior of the convent.
Legend has it that in 1465, she heard a voice reveal to her that she was destined to be buried in the city of Villingen and when she received the order from Pope Pius VI to travel to and reform the city’s Bickenkloster, she traveled there with seven other nuns, on April 18 1480 AD.
They were allowed in the city on the condition that they would pay taxes and so they agreed. Ursula introduced a stricter rule in the Bickenkloster upon her arrival on April 29 1480 AD, six out of the seven nuns she had earlier traveled with there had to flee, during the three month probation period.
She led to the drastic improvement of the Bickenkloster, hence creating an exemplary convent of young women. In turn, they received donations from the rich families of the city, who even desired that their daughters join the Bickenkloster.
A legend tells the story of a very stormy day in Villingen, towards the end of the 15th century, when people even feared that the city was facing its final judgment. Ursula on the other hand, went into sacrificing herself into prayer, for the forgiveness and redemption of the Villingen people and after a while, the Blessed Mother appeared to her with the Baby Jesus, on a bright circle on the dark sky.
It is said that the Blessed Mother assured protection of the Villingen people, if Ursula implemented the recital of 150 psalms every year, to be said in a certain manner, commonly referred to as the Great Psalter.
The Baby Jesus blessed the city before the apparition disappeared. The Great Psalter was recited every year during the lent over the centuries until the Bickenkloster was closed in 2015, though it is presumed that most people still privately recite it.
The Great Psalter was set up in a booklet which entailed; First, the Gospel of Luke 1;26-38, second, a hymn, thirdly, Psalm 87, fourth, a hymn, fifth, Psalm 85, then the Magnificat, Our Father, a Hail Mary, the continuous daily Psalm and the Promise of the Mother of God to Ursula Haider.
Ursula expanded the monastery greatly during her time as abbess and in 1489 she fell ill, resigning from her post as abbess. She died on January 20 1498, in Villingen and was buried in the Olberg Chapel in the Bickenkloster.
Blessed Ursula Haider’s Birth
Ursula Haider was born in 1413 AD in Leutkirch.
Blessed Ursula Haider’s Death
She died on January 20 1498 AD, in Villingen.
Blessed Ursula Haider’s Family Background
She was orphaned shortly after her birth and was raised by her maternal grandmother.
Blessed Ursula Haider’s Education
She was educated at the hermitage Reute at Waldsee.
Blessed Ursula Haider’s Profession
She lived as a Swabian abbess of the Poor Clare monasteries Valduna and Villingen.
Blessed Ursula Haider’s Feast Day
Her feast day is celebrated on January 20.
Blessed Ursula Haider is Venerated in
She is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church.
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