Details

Name

Gallus Alt

Brief Biography

1610 - 1687, Swiss

Occupation

Prince-Abbot

Description

Born in Oberriet, St Gallen on the 10th September 1610, Gallus Alt was the son of a farmer, Johann. It is thought he attended the Latin school in Appenzell, St Gallen.

Gallus entered the Benedictine abbey of Saint Gall in September 1628, and was ordained as priest on 16th February, 1636. Following his ordination he studied law at Inglostadt in Germany and Rome, from where he graduated as a Doctor of Canonical Law in 1642. Returning to Saint Gall Abbey, he rose to become princely governor of Ehaben (Breisgau) in 1645, subprior in 1647, prior and governor in St Johann im Thurtal in 1650, and dean in 1652. In December 1654, he was elected Prince Abbot of St Gallen, following the death of Abbot Pius Reher.

He was only the second Abbot of St Gall to be named Gallus, following the founder of the monastery, St Gall (c.550-645 AD).

Gallus abbacy saw the abbey extended and the number of conventuals rising from 45 to 70. His tenure was marked by discipline and strict spiritual reform.