Schetzel was a twelfth-century hermit from Luxembourg, also known by names such as Joscelí de Luxemburg or Schetzelon. Seeking spiritual perfection, he withdrew from society to live as an anachoret in the Grünewald forest. He resided in a cave near the road to Trier, where he spent fifteen years practicing his ascetic lifestyle. During the winter months, he relied on local farmers for sustenance, who provided him with dry bread to respect his vow of silence and his specific dietary needs.
Life and death
Raised in a devout Christian household, Schetzel chose a life of solitude to distance himself from worldly distractions. He lived in a cave within the Grünewald forest until his death in 1138. Local farmers respected his asceticism by providing food without engaging him in conversation, allowing him to maintain his quiet existence for over a decade.
Veneration and legacy
Following his death, a chapel was established at his cave, which features a spring believed to possess healing properties. Although his remains were moved to the Almënster Abbey in 1150, the site did not become a major pilgrimage destination. After the abbey was destroyed in 1544, his relics were transferred to the Church of the Virgin Mary at Luxembourg Castle.