thumb|Statue of Abraham a Sancta Clara, outside the Imperial Palace, Vienna
Abraham a Sancta Clara (born Johann Ulrich Megerle; 2 July 16441 December 1709) was an Augustinian friar.
Early life
Sancta Clara was born Johann Ulrich Megerle, in Kreenheinstetten, Germany on 2 July 1644. He was described as "a very eccentric but popular Augustinian monk".
His antisemitism has been noted to have had an influence on political antisemitism including supporters of Nazism, including Heidegger.
Career
In 1662, Abraham a Sancta Clara joined the Catholic religious order of Discalced Augustinians, and assumed the name by which he is known. In this order, he rose to become definitor and prior provincial of his province. He gained a great reputation for pulpit eloquence early on. He was appointed imperial court preacher of Vienna in 1669.