Ludger was born at Zuilen near Utrecht , Netherlands in 742 and died in 809 at Billerbeck, Germany. He was a missionary among the Frisians and Saxons, founder of Werden Abbey and the first Bishop of Münster in Westphalia, Germany. He was known popularly as the "Apostle of Saxony".
His parents, Thiadgrim and Liafburg, were wealthy Christian Frisians of noble descent. In 753, Ludger met the great Apostle of Germany, Boniface, which, together with the subsequent martyrdom of the saint, made a deep impression on him. At his own request, he was sent to the Utrecht Cathedral School, founded by Gregory of Utrecht in 756. In 767, Ludger received diaconate at North Yorkshire, England.
He was ordained at Cologne on 7 July, 777 and the missions of Ostergau were committed to his charge. He worked there for about seven years, until the Saxons' leader Widukind in 784 persuaded the Frisians to drive out the missionaries, burn the churches and return to the pagan gods. Ludger escaped with his disciples and later, visited Rome in 785, where he was well received by Pope Adrian I. From Rome he went to Monte Cassino, where he lived according to the Rule of Saint Benedict, but did not bind himself by vows.
In 787, after the surrender of Widukind and the arrival of King Charles at Monte Cassino, Ludger was appointed missionary to the five districts at the mouth of the Ems, which was still occupied almost entirely by pagans. With his usual energy and unbounded confidence in God, he worked zealously for the conversion of the people under his mission.
He visited Heligoland and destroyed the remnants of heathenism and built a Church. On his return, he met the blind poet Berulef, cured his blindness, and made him a devout Christian.
King Charles wanted to make Ludger the Bishop of Trier. But he declined the honour and undertook evangelization of the Saxons in 793. He built many churches, including a chapel in honour of the Blessed Virgin. Near the church of Nottuln, he built a home for his sister, St. Gerburgis, which later turned out as the first convent in Westphalia in 803.
At the request of King Charles, Ludger eventually received episcopal consecration on 30 March 805 and became the Bishop of Munster.
On Passion Sunday, 809, Saint Ludger offered his last Mass at Billerbeck and was called for his eternal rewards the same evening.
Other Saints of the Day:-
1. Saint Edward the Martyr
2. Saint Anselm of Lucca the Younger
3. Saint Frigidian of Lucca
4. Saint Narcissus of Gerona
5. Saint Braulio of Saragossa
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