24 December: Saint Irmina, Abbess

In the school of Saint Benedict and Saint Scholastica

Irmina lived between the 7th and 8th centuries and, according to tradition, was the daughter of Dagobert, King of Austrasia, the eastern portion of Merovingian Gaul. After remaining unmarried following the death of her betrothed, she entered the Benedictine order and founded the monastery of Oeren in Trier, of which she became abbess.

Her life was marked by devotion and by support for missionaries. In particular, she assisted Saint Willibrord, the English monk who sought to evangelize Frisia. When a severe plague struck the region and threatened the monastery as well, Willibrord’s prayers brought relief and deliverance from the contagion. Irmina, grateful for his work, donated to him the territory of Echternach, enabling the foundation of a monastery that became the center of his missionary activities and of his disciples.

Saint Irmina continued to support Willibrord, both through prayer and material means, until her death around 710, on Christmas Eve—the same day on which, according to tradition, Saint Adela, considered by many to be her sister, also died.