Saint Ludger was born in Friesland (the Netherlands) about the year 743. His noble father, at the child’s own request, committed him very young to the care of Saint Gregory, Bishop of Utrecht, who educated him in the monastery and gave him the clerical tonsure.
Ludger went to England for further study and was ordained in 776. His bishop employed him for several years in preaching the Word of God in Friesland, where he converted great numbers, founded several monasteries, and built many churches. When the pagan Saxons drove out the missionaries, Ludger travelled to Rome to consult the Pope and spent three and a half years at Monte Cassino.
In 787 Ludger was sent by the Emperor to evangelise the pagans of five districts. In 802, he was ordained Bishop of Munster. Called to account by the Emperor Charlemagne for allegedly wasting his income and not adorning churches, Ludger kept him waiting until he had finished his prayers, stating that, while he had the greatest respect for the Emperor, God came first.
Saint Ludger was favoured with the gifts of miracles and prophecy, but desired that these not be published. His last sickness did not hinder him from continuing his functions up to and including the last day of his life, Passion Sunday. On that day he preached very early in the morning, said Mass and preached again before nightfall. He died as he foretold, on March 26, 809. Saint Ludger, teach us to put God first in our lives.
