St. Ollegarius

Also known as Olaguerand and Olegari, Augustinian and bishop. A native of Barcelona, Spain, he was the son of Visigoth parents. After entering the Augustinian canons, he became prior at St. Aidan’s monastery and was ordained. In 1115, he was appointed bishop of Barcelona, but it took a papal bull to compel him to accept the office. The following year, he was transferred to Tarragona and elevated to the rank of archbishop. Ollegarius attended the first General Council of the Lateran in 1123, and Pope Callistus II made him a papal legate with the mission of preaching a crusade against the Moors of Spain. As archbishop, Ollegarius rebuilt most of Tarragona, which had been long neglected after its sack and occupation by the Moors, and promoted the work of the Knights Templar in the region.