Saint Odile Spring, Mont St. Odile

Mont Sainte-Odile combines Celtic prehistory, seventh-century Christian foundation, and thirteen centuries of continuous pilgrimage. Saint Odile, born blind and healed at baptism, founded the convent around 700 CE. The holy spring's origin in her miracle establishes its healing significance. The Pagan Wall, recently dated to the seventh century, preserves mystery about the site's earlier and parallel sacred uses.

Odile was born blind around 662 CE to Duke Adalric of Alsace, a condition so shameful to her father that he wanted her killed. Her mother saved her, sending her to a convent where she grew up in darkness. During her baptism, her sight was miraculously restored. She returned to Alsace, where her repentant father gave her this mountain to found a convent.

One day, walking the mountain, Odile encountered a blind old man. Moved by compassion, she struck a rock with her walking stick. Water gushed forth. She told the man to wash his eyes with it, and he could see. The spring still flows from that spot, still sought for healing of eye ailments.

Odile lived until approximately 720 CE, dying at the convent she had founded. Her tomb in the chapel became a pilgrimage destination, and her feast day, December 13, continues to draw visitors seeking her intercession. She is patron saint of Alsace and of those with eye diseases.

The earlier history of the mountain is less documented. The Celts called it Altitona and built here, but what they believed or practiced remains speculative. The Pagan Wall preserves questions more than answers. Something sacred preceded Odile, and something of it may persist alongside her Christian meaning.