Herluka von Bernried, also known as Herluka von Epfach, (1060 – 1127) was a German laywoman and supporter ofGregorian reform.[1][2] The vast majority of what is known of Herluka can be attributed to the works ofPaul von Bernried, a German priest and friend of Herluka's, in hisVita Herlucae (Life of Herluka, composed c. 1130/1) and in parts of hisVita Gregorii (Life ofGregory VII, composed c. 1128).
Herluka devoted her life toasceticism, living in voluntary poverty and choosing to be celibate.[3] She lived most of her life in the Swabian village ofEpfach before moving toBernried in 1121.[3] It is speculated that she moved there possibly to flee a peasant uprising, some historians also believe Herluka moved to Bernried after the priest Sigeboto (a companion of hers) was appointed there.[4][1]
Herluka was documented to have had several visions which directed her life as a holy woman. In one such vision Wikterp, the former bishop ofAugsburg and a bloodied Christ appeared to her. Wikterp told Herluka that the suffering of Christ she was witnessing was caused by priestly immorality. As a result of the vision, she refused to attend masses or take consecrated bread from unchaste priests, including Richard, the local priest working in Epfach.[5][2] According to Paul, this public rejection of non-celibate priests encouraged others to do the same and raised public support for Gregorian reform.[1]
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