Abraham à Sancta Clara
Abraham à Sancta Clara, born Ulrich Megerle in the mid-seventeenth century, was a prominent Catholic writer and preacher known for his vivid and engaging religious writings. He was the youngest child in his family, raised in a tavern owned by his father. His education began early, progressing from local schooling to advanced studies in Latin and Jesuit institutions. After being adopted by his uncle, a canon, he continued his religious education at a Benedictine school, and at the age of eighteen, he joined the Discalced Augustinians and took the name Abraham à Sancta Clara.
He gained recognition as the "barefoot preacher" for his remarkable ability to communicate complex religious concepts clearly and effectively, regardless of his audience's social status. His first significant work addressed the plague in Vienna, and he is perhaps best known for his extensive treatise, "Judas der Erzschelm," which took him a decade to complete. Throughout his career, Sancta Clara produced numerous influential writings that inspired many and served as important references. His later years were spent in Rome, where he unfortunately succumbed to illness due to his overwork. His legacy lies in his skillful preaching and profound contributions to religious literature.
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Subject Terms
Abraham à Sancta Clara
Preacher
- Born: c. 1644
- Birthplace: Messkirch, Baden, Germany
- Died: December 1, 1709
- Place of death: Vienna, Austria
Biography
Abraham à Sancta Clara, né Ulrich Megerle, known for his Catholic religious writings made popular by his graphic eloquence, was the youngest of eighth child born to the Kreenheinstetten tavern owner Matthew Megerlin (Megerle) in the mid-seventeenth century. His lifelong religious studies began with local schooling at the age of six, followed by three years of Latin studies at Messkirch, Baden, then passing three successive classes of Jesuit in Ingolstadt. Upon baptism, he took the name Johann Ulrich, which again changed when his uncle, Abraham von Megerlin, canon of Altötting, adopted him after the death of his father. Uncle Abraham sent him to the Benedictine school in Salzburg.
The author took the name by which he is most recognized, Abraham à Sancta Clara, when he became a Discalced (“barefoot”) Augustinian in Vienna at eighteen years old, where he was ordained after completing studies at Mariabrunn. After a brief assignment as a preacher, he returned to Vienna and was appointed as imperial court preacher by Leopold I during a plague. Following this yearlong assignment, he served shortly as chaplain to the land marshal of Lower Austria. He later served as prior to a convent in Vienna and a chaplain in, and then prior for, his order in Graz. He became known as the “barefoot preacher.”
As Sancta Clara preached, he became noted for his ability to successfully communicate religious tenants to his listeners without the hindrance of social strata. His wit and comprehensive education served him well in reaching his audience. This ability carried through to bring insightful and readily expressed religious lessons in his writings. His first work was three treatises on the plague in Vienna. His most lauded work took ten years to write, Judas der Erzschelm. He wrote a prolific number of treatises, lessons, and volumes that became sources of reference and inspiration. In the late seventeenth century, Sancta Clara went to Rome to serve in his order. While there, he became overworked and eventually succumbed to gout in the early eighteenth century.