Still in Eguisheim. The tiny village has not just given us Saints Pierre-et-Paul and the inspiration for Beauty and the Beast. It also gave us a saint.
Bruno von Eguisheim-Dagsburg was born in Eguisheim in June 1002. In 1949, he was chosen to head the Catholic Church, becoming Pope Leo IX. “As pope, Leo expanded his work of reform to the entire church. Not only did he work to fight simony (the buying and selling of church offices) and imposing clerical celibacy, he also promoted the education of the clergy and liturgical reforms,” Aleteia describes.
His papacy lasted until his death in 1054. A mere 28 years later he was canonized by Pope Gregory VII. His feast day is April 19, the date of his death.
He is celebrated with a sculpture in the heart of Eguisheim, beneath the Chapelle Saint Leon IX (here, he’s more commonly referred to as Leon). Pictured is the statue of Saint Pope Leo IX, and another shot of my wife and I in front of it (taken by our helpful tour guide, Robin).
52 Masses 