VILBURGA (Wildburgis), blessed. — Virgin recluse at St. Florian (Upper Austria), born of a pious and troubled family at the beginning of the 13th century near St. Florian, died 11 Dec. 1289.
After her father died on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, she was entrusted by her mother to the care of the widow Alaide. As a young girl she took a vow of perpetual virginity and, with her companion Matilda, went on pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. Returning in 1248 after her mother’s death, she enclosed herself in a narrow cell near the church of St. Florian, where for 41 years she led an angelic life. Invited to Prague by the blessed AGNES, aunt of King Ottokar of Bohemia, she refused to leave her reclusion; nor did she yield to the persistent entreaties of CATHERINE, niece of the blessed GREGORY X, to come to Italy to found a monastery. She corresponded with the noted Cistercian of Heiligenkreuz, GUSTOLF. In the church of St. Florian, where her relics repose, she is commemorated on 11 Dec., the feast of St. Damasus.