Who was St. Meinrad? St. Meinrad was a monk who lived as a hermit in Switzerland in the ninth century. He was killed by robbers who thought that he was hiding treasures in his hermitage. Even though he knew that they were going to kill him, he still offered them food and hospitality. This is why he is often called a "martyr of hospitality" for his great charity and generosity. St. Meinrad is also the patron saint of both St. Meinrad Catholic Church and Saint Meinrad Archabbey.