Wolbodo

Holy Hierarch Wolbodo was prince-⁠bishop of Liège from 1018 until his death on 21 April 1021. He was close to the Emperor Henry II and played an important role in the development of Benedictine monasticism at Liège and in the rise of the abbey of Saint-⁠Laurent at Liège. Medieval sources show him as coming from a noble family of the county of Flanders, though it is doubtful that he was related to the counts of Flanders; this is probably a hagiographic legend. He was formed in the canonical milieu of Utrecht, where he was scholasticus and then provost of the church of Saint Martin. His learning and reputation brought him to the imperial court, where he became chaplain of Henry II. At the death of Baldric II he was chosen by the emperor as bishop of Liège and took possession of the see in 1018; the archbishop of Cologne ordained him in November 1018.

Although his episcopate was short, he is regarded as a reforming prelate attached to strengthening church discipline. The chroniclers stress his piety, his pastoral work and his support for the religious establishments of his diocese. His most important deed concerns the abbey of Saint-⁠Laurent at Liège: the work begun under Notger had been interrupted, and Wolbodo ordered it resumed and favored the settling of a Benedictine community. Historians often regard him as the true founder, though the plan goes back to the time of Notger. According to medieval sources, he left part of his goods to continue the work after his death. He died after less than three years in office and, according to his wish, was buried in the abbey of Saint-⁠Laurent. The hagiographic tradition reports that his tomb soon became a place of pilgrimage and that many miracles were attributed to him. He is honored as a saint of the undivided Church, in the local tradition.