Notburga, Heilige

Notburga, Tirolean saint, Feast Day September 13, legendary farmgirl who is supposed to have lived in the town of Rattenberg (birthplace) during the 9^th or 10^th century. H. Guarinonius, a writer of the Baroque age, falsified historical facts and dated her life to 1265-1313; the Notburga cult was officially confirmed by Pope Pius IX in 1862. Notburga is one of the most popular saints in Tirol, and there are Notburga churches and altars in Tirol, eastern Styria and in Slovenia. Her grave in Eben is a popular place of pilgrimage. Notburga is the patron saint of farmgirls, the poor and the peasants, and the defender of Sunday observance. She is portrayed with a sickle (miracle of the sanctification of Sunday and the observance of evening rest), a sheaf of grain and a jug.

Literature: W. von Pfaundler, Sankt Notburga, Eine Heilige aus Tirol, 1962; M. Kramer, Sankt Notburga, 1962.