Saint Irmgardis was an eleventh-century German countess and abbess who lived in the regions of Rees and Cologne. Born around 1000, she held the title of Countess of Aspel. Following the death of her parents, she chose to use her inherited wealth to benefit various social and religious institutions, including hospitals and churches. She eventually embraced a life of solitude as a hermit and made three separate pilgrimages to Rome before spending her final years in Cologne.
Life and service
After inheriting her family's fortune, Irmgardis dedicated her resources to charitable causes. She supported numerous convents and chapters, distributing her wealth to aid the poor through various social institutions. Her commitment to faith was demonstrated by her travels to Rome and her later years spent in religious service within the city of Cologne.
Veneration and legacy
The Catholic Church commemorates her on 4 September. Her remains are kept in a sarcophagus located within the altar of Cologne Cathedral. Her memory is preserved through several institutions in the Rhineland, including a hospital and a chapel in Süchteln, a school in Cologne, and a kindergarten in Viersen.