Berthold of Garsten

Who was Berthold of Garsten?

Berthold of Garsten, also later known as Blessed Berthold, was a German abbot. He is believed to be of the family of the Counts of Bogen and Vögte of Regensburg Cathedral. He was to begin with a Benedictine monk at St. Blaise's Abbey in the Black Forest and was then, in 1107, appointed prior at Göttweig Abbey. He was entrusted by Ottokar II of Styria with the development of Garsten Abbey, of which he became the first abbot in 1111. In this post he distinguished himself by piety, kindness, devotion to his pastoral duties and organisational talent. Berthold introduced the Hirsau Reforms into Austria.

He died in 1142 and is buried in Garsten Abbey. His feast day is celebrated in the Diocese of Linz, the Diocese of St. Pölten and the Archdiocese of Salzburg on 27 July.