January 7th 10th century

Saint Reynold of Cologne

A monk in Cologne and presumed grandson of Charlemagne, Reynold was tasked with supervising the construction of the Saint Pantaleon monastery. His zeal provoked the jealousy of a stonemason who secretly murdered him with a bush hammer before throwing his body into the water. His relics were transferred to Dortmund in the 11th century, the city of which he is the patron saint.

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    SAINT REYNOLD OF COLOGNE, MASTER MASON (960).

    Life 01 / 05

    Monastic life and works

    Reynold, a monk at the monastery of Saint-Pantaleon in Cologne, is tasked by his superior with supervising construction work and stonemasons.

    Reynold was a monk at t he monastery of Saint-Pantal eon, in Col ogne, where his superior tasked him with overseeing the masons and stonemasons who were working on the construction of the monastery. His prose in the old missals of Cologne says:

    Martyrdom 02 / 05

    Martyrdom and miracles

    A victim of jealousy, Reynold is secretly murdered by a stonemason and his body is thrown into the water, but miracles reveal his holiness.

    Justi vitam livor zelat : Clam necatur, stogno celat Malleator sociis ; Sed insigne margaritum Declaratur expolitum Signorum præconis.

    Black envy attempts the life of the just: A stonemason kills him in secret and charges the waters to hide him from the sight of his companions; but numerous miracles come to attest that this brilliant pearl was cut for heaven.

    Life 03 / 05

    Iconography and legendary origins

    Depicted with a stone-mason's hammer or in armor, tradition identifies him as a grandson of Charlemagne who renounced military life for the cloister.

    In accordance with these details, painters from beyond the Rhine have depicted Sai nt Reynold being struck down by the stone-mason's hammer of a stonecutter, who had grown annoyed at being pressed too closely by the conscientious foreman of the Saint-Pantaleon monastery. — As for the armor that these same painters give to our Saint, it recalls the tradition according to which Reynold, a grandson of Charlemagn e, had left the camps for the cloister.

    Cult 04 / 05

    Cult and translation to Dortmund

    His relics were transferred to Dortmund in the 14th century (or under the episcopate of Hanno in the 11th century according to cited sources), the city of which he became the patron.

    In the latter half of the 14th century, the inhabitants of Dortmu nd, in Westphalia, requested the body of a saint from the Archbishop of Colo gne, Hanno (1056-1075), who granted them the relics of Saint Reynold. The translation took place on January 7, and it is on this same day that his feast is celebrated in Dortmund, of which he is the patron.

    Source 05 / 05

    Sources

    The information is based on the works of the Bollandists and Godescard.

    Cf. Boll. , January 7, and Godescar d, Brussels edition.

    Official source Les Petits Bollandistes, by Mgr Paul GUÉRIN, chamberlain to His Holiness Pius IX.

    Signs and attributes

    The miracles of Saint Reynold of Cologne

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    Frequently asked questions about Saint Reynold of Cologne

    Who was Saint Reynold of Cologne?

    A monk in Cologne and presumed grandson of Charlemagne, Reynold was tasked with supervising the construction of the Saint Pantaleon monastery. His zeal provoked the jealousy of a stonemason who secretly murdered him with a bush hammer before throwing his body into the water. His relics were transferred to Dortmund in the 11th century, the city of which he is the patron saint.

    What is Saint Reynold of Cologne the patron saint of?

    Patronage of Saint Reynold of Cologne: Dortmund.

    How is Saint Reynold of Cologne depicted in Christian art?

    In iconography, Saint Reynold of Cologne is recognizable by: stonemason's bush hammer and knight's armor.

    How did Saint Reynold of Cologne die?

    Saint Reynold of Cologne suffered martyrdom for the Christian faith (10th century).

    What miracles are attributed to Saint Reynold of Cologne?

    1 miracle are attributed to this saint, notably: Sign / wonder.

    Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Reynold of Cologne?

    Contemporaries include: Saint Bernard of Menthon (Apostle of the Alps), Saint Ansgar (Apostle of the North), Saint Stephen of Hungary and Saint Anselm of Canterbury.

    What are the other names of Saint Reynold of Cologne?

    Other forms of the name: Reynold.

    Who are the relatives of Saint Reynold of Cologne?

    Relatives of Saint Reynold of Cologne: Charlemagne (grandfather (according to tradition)).

    Annexes & related entities

    Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.

    Key Events

    1. Monk at the Saint-Pantaleon monastery in Cologne
    2. Supervision of masons and stonemasons for the construction of the monastery
    3. Assassinated by a jealous stonemason
    4. Body thrown into the water to hide the crime
    5. Translation of relics to Dortmund on January 7

    Quotes

    • Justi vitam livor zelat : Clam necatur, stogno celat Malleator sociis Old Cologne missals