Sts. Salome & Judith

St. Salome and St. Judith, Anchorites - Feast day is June 29th (An anchorite is a woman who lives in seclusion for religious purposes)

According to legend, St. Salome was an Anglo-Saxon princess in the ninth century. While on a trip home from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, she was temporarily blinded. When she reached Altaich, Bavaria, she was without possessions and became an Anchorite in a cell attached to the monastery church. Salome's aunt, Judith, was sent by the king of England to look for Salome. When she finally located her at Altaich, she decided to become an Anchorite also. She remained there for the rest of her life after Salome died. At times she suffered from diabolical attacks and night terrors, and the shrieks which came from her cell sometimes brought the monks running from the neighboring abbey to find out if she was being murdered. She was buried beside her niece at Ober Altaich. It is stated that in 907, when the monastery was destroyed by the Hungarians, the relics of both recluses were translated to Nieder Altaich, where they are still venerated.