Reinold was a 10th-century Benedictine monk who lived in Cologne. According to some traditions, he was a descendant of Charlemagne and is a figure featured in the romantic poem The Four Sons of Aymon. While serving at the Pantaleon monastery, he took charge of a construction project and frequently assisted the stonemasons with their manual labor. His life ended violently when he was murdered by the very workers he assisted, who beat him to death with hammers.
Life and death
During his time at the Pantaleon abbey, Reinold was tasked with overseeing building works. He was known for his hands-on approach, often working alongside the craftsmen. This close involvement with the laborers eventually led to his death, as the stonemasons killed him and left his body in a pool near the Rhine river.
Veneration and legacy
After his body was discovered through divine intervention, Reinold was recognized as a saint. Because of the manner of his death, he is regarded as the patron saint of stonemasons. He is also the patron of Dortmund, where St. Reinold's Church is dedicated to his memory. His feast day is observed on January 7.