Mario Bürki

La legende de Sainte Odile

Odilia came from a ducal family. She founded a convent, which was named Odilienberg after her, entered herself and gathered women and girls who led a consecrated life under her leadership. Her life was filled with prayer and care for her fellow sisters. She had a special devotion to St. John the Baptist. She also dedicated the convent chapel to him. She had a hostel built near the convent where the poor could stay overnight for free and were fed. Legend has it that Odilia was born blind. Her father therefore cast her out. When she was baptized at the age of 15, she was suddenly given sight. The saint is prayed to in cases of eye problems. She is considered a special patron saint of Alsace. The Odilienberg, where she is buried, is sacred to the people of Alsace. No one walks past the Odilienbrunnen fountain without wetting their eyes. The work was commissioned in 2012 by CDMC (F), the largest European library for wind orchestra sheet music.