Magnus of Füssen

Saint Magnus of Füssen, also known as Magnoald or Mang, was a missionary monk who labored in southern Germany in the eighth century, likely beginning around the year 746 in the Allgäu region under Bishop Wikterp of Augsburg. Though the details of his early life are uncertain, tradition remembers him as a companion of holy missionaries and a faithful servant of the Gospel, later honored as the Apostle of the Allgäu. Working first alongside Theodore and the priest Tozzo, Magnus helped establish an early abbey at Kempten. While Theodore remained there, Magnus pressed onward along the upper Lech, building a prayer house near Waltenhofen and then founding a humble cell and oratory at Füssen. From this quiet beginning a monastic community grew, eventually known as St. Mang’s Abbey, situated on the important road between Augsburg and northern Italy and supported in time by Pepin the Short. Venerated as patron of the Allgäu, Füssen, and Kempten, he is also invoked for protection of cattle and deliverance from eye ailments and various plagues. His feast day is September 6.