Otgerus

Otgerus (Otger) was a deacon and missionary of the 8th century, who died probably around 713, and is venerated as a saint in the Western Church, patron of the Low Countries. His day is 10 September (other sources give 9 September, 8 May or 15 July).

He came from Northumbria in England. Together with Saints Wiro and Plechelm he went to Rome, where the two were ordained bishops by a pope, probably Sergius I, and then came as deacon and missionary to the region of the Rhine, Waal and Meuse. Pepin of Herstal gave them land near Roermond, on a hill, at Sint Odiliënberg (Sint-⁠Petrusberg), where, around 706, they built a church and a small monastery. Otger is said to have worked in several parts of the diocese of Utrecht and in the neighboring lands. At Stadtlohn in Germany he is regarded as the founder of the oldest church in the town.

His relics, together with those of Saints Wiro and Plechelm, are kept in a shrine in the basilica of Sint Odiliënberg, which until 1686 was under the protection of Saint Peter, then consecrated anew on 10 May 1686. Since then the three have been its patrons. A French source says he was canonized in the 10th century by Bishop Balderic of Utrecht. He is usually shown with a book of the Gospels and a cross in his hand.