Saint Ilga von Schwarzengerg is said to have descended from the family of the counts of Bregenz in Austria. Seeking the Christian contemplative life, Ilga and her two brothers, Merboth and Diedo, left their comfortable situation and moved to the Bregenzerwald in 1070 to devote themselves to prayer. Ilga is legendary for her association with several springs in the area. The original spring, which is reputed never to freeze, even in the Austrian winter, is near the Lorena pass, where Ilga parted from her brothers. One legend records that it formed from the tears of the three siblings; another, that it gushed from a rock at Ilga’s command in order to provide a source of water for persons living in the area. Reportedly, Ilga carried some of the water from this spring with her in her apron, and wherever some of the water spilled, another spring would appear. Ilga ended her journey in the Bregenz Forest and, with the help of locals in the area, built a hermitage. The spring at the site of her hermitage is said to have emerged from the last of the water spilled by the hermitess and is called to this day the Ilga spring. Ilga continued to live the contemplative life of a hermit at this spot until her death in 1115, and a chapel was built on the site in her honor. In 1179, Ilga’s relics were uncovered during repairs and are kept in a shrine in the Schwarzenberg parish church. The springs associated with Ilga are said to have healing powers, especially for diseases of the eye. Her remembrance day in the Roman Catholic Church is June 8.
Saint Ilga von Schwarzengerg is said to have descended from the family of the counts of Bregenz in Austria. Seeking the Christian contemplative life, Ilga and her two brothers, Merboth and Diedo, left their comfortable situation and moved to the Bregenzerwald in 1070 to devote themselves to prayer. Ilga is legendary for her association with several springs in the area. The original spring, which is reputed never to freeze, even in the Austrian winter, is near the Lorena pass, where Ilga parted from her brothers. One legend records that it formed from the tears of the three siblings; another, that it gushed from a rock at Ilga’s command in order to provide a source of water for persons living in the area. Reportedly, Ilga carried some of the water from this spring with her in her apron, and wherever some of the water spilled, another spring would appear. Ilga ended her journey in the Bregenz Forest and, with the help of locals in the area, built a hermitage. The spring at the site of her hermitage is said to have emerged from the last of the water spilled by the hermitess and is called to this day the Ilga spring. Ilga continued to live the contemplative life of a hermit at this spot until her death in 1115, and a chapel was built on the site in her honor. In 1179, Ilga’s relics were uncovered during repairs and are kept in a shrine in the Schwarzenberg parish church. The springs associated with Ilga are said to have healing powers, especially for diseases of the eye. Her remembrance day in the Roman Catholic Church is June 8.
Bio by: Eileen Cunningham
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