LL-L "Etymology" 2004.12.03 (08) [E]

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From: Global Moose Translations <globalmoose at t-online.de>
Subject: LL-L "Etymology" 2004.12.03 (04) [E]

Carl wrote:
> My research shows that Saint Vicelin was born in Hameln, in what is now
> Hesse.  I have questioned whether his birth name is Vicelin or acquired
> during his life with the Church.  There are some books about Vicelin, but
> all in German and hard to find, I would think.  Hard to acquire in the
USA.

You've been misinformed there.  I happened to live in Hameln (better known
in the English-speaking world as Hamelin of Pied Piper fame) between the
ages of 13 and 17, and it is most definitely NOT in Hesse, nor has it ever
been, but in Lower Saxony, on the Weser river, about 40 km south of
Hannover.

There is a street named Vizelinstraße in Hameln, and a Catholic community in


one of the surrounding villages called St. Vizelin (the area is largely
Protestant). He was born in Hameln in 1090, and died in 1154. He is best
known for being rather unsuccessful as a missionary in Eastern Holstein;
although he was, in theory, the bishop around there, the local heathens
never allowed him to set foot in "his" bishopry as long as he lived, which
must have been rather frustrating for him.

There is, by the way, a town north of Fulda, in the northernmost corner of
Hesse, bordering on Lower Saxony, by the name of Witzenhausen. I would look
for a connection there.

Gabriele Kahn

----------

From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Etymology

<quote> http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1959
Catholic Online Saints
St. Vicelin
Feastday: December 12
1086-1154
Missionary and bishop. Born at Hemeln [sic.], Lower Saxony, Germany, he
studied in the cathedral school of Paderborn and possibly at Laon, France.
He received an appointment as a canon at Bremen, Germany, where he became
head of the local school. Ordained by St. Norbert at Magdeburg, he embarked
upon a missionary life among the Wends in northern Germany, founding
monasteries at Holstein, Segeberg, and Hogersdorf, Unfortunately, most of
his work and missionary accomplishments were laid waste in 1147 by a
terrible onslaught by marauding pirates. Escaping with some of his priests,
he fled to safety in the Holy Roman Empire. In 1149, he was named bishop of
Staargard, although he met resistance to his appointment by Emperor
Frederick I Barbarossa who prevented him from occupying his see. He died at
Neumunster, Lorraine, France, paralyzed the last three years of his life,
and is honored as the Apostle of Holstein.
</quote>

<quote> http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15404a.htm
St. Vicelinus
Bishop of Oldenburg, apostle of Holstein, b. at Hameln about 1086; d. 12
Dec., 1154. Orphaned at an early age, he received his primary education at
Hameln. He left secretly for Paderborn, where he enjoyed the home and
instructions of Hartmann, and soon surpassed his companions and assisted in
the management of the cathedral school. He was called to Bremen to act as
teacher and principal of the school, and was offered a canonry by Archbishop
Frederic. In 1122 he went to Laon in France to complete his studies (Hauck,
"Kirchengesch. Deutschl.", Leipzig, 1903, IV, 600); this is doubted by
Schirren (Beitrage zur Kritik alterer holst. Geschichte, 1876, 38). On his
return he was ordained priest by St. Norbert of Magdeburg. Archbishop
Adalben sent him among the Wends, and in the fall of 1126 Henry, Prince of
the Obotrites, gave him a church in Lubeck. At the death of Henry (22 March,
1127) Vicelinus returned to Bremen, and was appointed pastor at Wippenthorp.
This gave him an opportunity to work among the Holstians and neighbouring
Slavs. His preaching gathered crowds of eager listeners, and many priests
aided him in founding the monastery of Neumunster, according to the Rule of
St. Augustine, which was liberally endowed by the archbishop. Wars among the
tribes in 1137 caused the missionaries to abandon their labours for two
years. Vicelinus sent two priests to Lubeck, but with little success. At his
suggestion King Lothair intended to build a fortress and monastery at
Segeburg, but death prevented him. Some years later Vicelinus established a
house at Hogersdorf. In 1149 he was made Bishop of Oldenburg, where he did
much for the spiritual and temporal welfare of his diocese. In 1152 he was
struck by paralysis and lingered amid much suffering for two years. His body
was transferred to Bordesholm in 1332, and buried before the main altar. In
1874 the small Catholic parish at Hameln had his picture engraved on a new
bell. He is usually represented with a church resting on his left arm; his
feast is celebrated on 12 Dec.
</quote>

By the way, "Wend(s)" is no longer a politically correct name, be it for
Sorbs specifically or for Slavs of Germany generally.  It is much like
"gypsy" for "Roma," or "Eskimo" for "Inuit" or "Yupik," sometimes as bad as
the "N" word in English -- another case of a name falling into disuse
because of misuse.  I personally object to the name "Wends" also because it
usually stands for "Slavs native to Germany," thus "dressing up" their
status and separating them from their ethnic and linguistic relatives
outside Germany.  (This is what the Sorbian movements have been trying to
remedy since the 19th century.)

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron

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