ADOLF, Saint. — Twenty-eighth Bishop of Osnabrück (1216–24), born c. 1185 to the Counts of Tecklenburg in Westphalia, died there on 28 or 30 June 1224. Destined for an ecclesiastical career, he soon became a canon at Cologne Cathedral and later a Cistercian monk at Kamp Abbey. Still very young, he was elected to the episcopal see of Osnabrück, where he proved himself most worthy. His charity toward the clergy, his humility, and his devotion to the poor and sick are especially noteworthy. After his death he was venerated as a saint. Although he was never solemnly canonized by the Pope, his feast is celebrated in the Diocese of Osnabrück on 11 February.
BIBL.: Acta SS. Februarii, II, Paris 1864, pp. 571 sq.; sources and literature: Wetzler-Welte, s.V. in Kirchenlexikon, I, col. 237 sq.; A. Zimmermann, s.V. in LThK, I, col. 106; G. Allmann, s.V. in DHG, I, col. 579.