ON SAINT ALDETRUDIS, VIRGIN, ABBESS OF MAUBEUGE IN BELGIUM.
NEAR THE END OF THE SEVENTH CENTURY.
Preliminary Commentary.
Aldetrudis, Virgin, Abbess of Maubeuge in Belgium (Saint)
By G. H.
[1] At Maubeuge, or Melbodium, which is a town of Hainaut in Belgium on the river Sambre, there exists a very ancient college of noble Canonesses, built by Saint Aldegundis, a most noble Virgin, as has been said at length in her Life on January 30. The family of Saint Aldetrudis was noble and holy. The sister of this Virgin was Saint Waldetrudis, married to Saint Vincentius the Count; she herself is venerated on April 9, her husband on July 14. Their daughters were Saints Aldetrudis and Madelberta, both Virgins, and both in succession after their aunt Saint Aldegundis were Abbesses of Maubeuge — first Aldetrudis, who is venerated on February 25, then Madelberta, whose feast day falls on September 7.
[2] We present certain Acts of Saint Aldetrudis from a manuscript codex of the monastery of Rouge-Cloitre near Brussels, manuscript Acts, inserted in the first part of the Hagiologium of Brabant. The first part of these Acts is read in the manuscript Breviary of Mons, belonging to the similarly very ancient college of noble Canonesses founded by Saint Waldetrudis in that city. This part is in that Breviary distributed into nine Lessons, to which is added this prayer to be recited on her feast day: ecclesiastical Office. "Celebrating the solemnity of the most blessed Aldetrudis, we beseech Your clemency, O Lord, that through her constant prayers You may absolve us from all our sins." Saint Aldetrudis is also venerated at this time with an Office of nine Lessons in the collegiate churches of the Canonesses of Maubeuge and Mons, and the Lessons of the second Nocturn are recited from these same Acts, except for a few passages that are corrected from the Deeds of Saint Aldegundis, which are read as follows in the first Life, page 1039, number 22:
[3] Following in the footsteps of Christ, the blessed and venerable Virgin Aldegundis, among the others whom she had won for Christ by snatching them from the devil, had also raised from the very cradle the daughter of her sister Waldetrudis, by the name of Aldetrudis, pious upbringing under her aunt Saint Aldegundis, in the regular life of the monastery. Day by day she kept vigil at the feet of her aunt, like another Mary, and was formed in her life and morals. She was indeed of the greatest humility and obedience; and to make this known to mortals, almighty God caused the mother superior, Blessed Aldegundis, to order that same young girl to gather fragments of wax into one mass and, having placed them over the fire, to melt them into a single lump. She obeyed at once, quicker than commanded; she lit the fire and placed the vessel — that is, a basin full of wax — upon it. But when the fire, conquering the fuel beneath, caused the pile of wood to collapse, the boiling pan tilted to one side and fed the fire's fury. Seeing this, the young maiden Aldetrudis, of good character, was greatly distressed at so great a loss, and hastening with bare hands and arms outstretched, she freed the vessel from the blaze of heat along with the melted wax, and set it on the floor. For through the intercession of the prayers of the blessed Virgin, and with her obedience lending its aid, no injury was found on her flesh or skin.
[4] So the author of the first Life; which in the second Life by Hucbald is reported somewhat differently, on page 1044, number 16, as follows: "Saint Aldegundis was training her two nieces, the daughters of her sister, with great diligence in the regular life, the same account related by another, and was carefully teaching them from the very rudiments of infancy to choose the Lord Christ as their spouse. One of them was called Madelberta, the other Aldetrudis. Aldetrudis, a girl of good character, was eager to imitate the morals and life of her aunt, and reclining unceasingly at her feet, she thirsted to be instructed in the teaching of life. Although she flourished in many virtues, she was especially devoted to humility and obedience. Once the blessed Virgin Aldegundis had commanded her to gather fragments of wax into one mass, being careful lest even the smallest things of the monastery should be lost. She obeyed quicker than commanded: she collected the scattered fragments of wax, lit the fire, and placed an bronze vessel — that is, a basin full of wax — upon it. But when the flame prevailed and the pile of wood, now burnt, collapsed, and the boiling pan, surrounded by the heat of the fire, tilted to the other side, and the fire blazed up all the more from that direction, the young maiden, fearing lest some harm should occur, armed with faith, and her trust in God is praised, with bare hands and outstretched arms quickly lifted the bubbling cauldron from the midst of the flames, and, suffering absolutely no injury to the skin of her flesh, set it on the floor. So much did the merit of the one commanding and the virtue of the one obeying without doubt avail before God." So Hucbald; these events are narrated in different ways in the manuscript Acts, as will shortly be evident.
[5] Concerning the time at which Saint Aldetrudis chiefly flourished, the following is reported. First, the Acts in number 1 assign the time of Dagobert, the illustrious King of the Franks, did she live under Dagobert I? and that the first Dagobert, who died in the year 644, is meant is indicated by the first Life of Saint Aldegundis, page 1040, number 27, in these words: "The most beloved Virgin of Christ, Aldegundis, spouse of the Lord, dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, was therefore buried in a certain estate of her own domain, where she had returned her soul to her Creator, called Cartissolra, where both her parents are said to have been entombed. Afterward, her body was translated by the illustrious King Sigebert and the most blessed Virgin Aldetrudis the Abbess to the town of Maubeuge." or under Saint Sigebert? This is Saint Sigebert, King of Austrasia, who died on February 1 of the year 664, on which day we gave his Life and arranged the chronology of the Frankish Kings of the Merovingian line. Under his reign, around the year 661, we said that Saint Aldegundis, having taken the veil of the sacred religious life, was consecrated as a bride of Christ by the holy Bishops Autbert and Amandus, as we stated on February 6 in her Life, page 835, number 98. We showed that Saint Amandus died in the year 684, page 837, number 107. Saint Aldegundis saw his glory not after his death but while he was still alive, laboring to win souls for God. or rather under Dagobert II? Which of the two died first — Amandus or Saint Aldegundis — is uncertain. At that time Dagobert II, son of Saint Sigebert, ruled over the kingdom of Austrasia, when Saint Aldetrudis was undergoing the exercises of a holier life under her aunt Saint Aldegundis. And the body of the same Saint Aldegundis was perhaps translated by her and by King Theodoric, the successor of Dagobert II, as we also noted in her Life. and Theodoric? Finally, having governed that noble college as Abbess for twelve years, she was called to the reward of her labors and departed this life near the end of the seventh century.
[6] Her memory is inscribed in the very ancient Centula, or Saint Riquier, manuscript under February 25 in these words: "The birthday of Saint Aldetrudis the Virgin." The manuscript of Ado from the monastery of Saint Lawrence at Liege: venerated on February 25, "Saint Altrudis the Virgin, daughter of Saint Waldetrudis"; and there was added in an ancient hand: "Who is held in great veneration at Marne, both for the presence of her body and for the efficacy of her virtues." Molanus treats of her in his supplement to Usuard, in his Index and in the Feast Days of the Saints of Belgium; Saussay in his Gallic Martyrology; Miraeus in his Belgian Calendar; Wion, Menardus, Dorganius, and Bucelinus in the Benedictine Martyrologies. Colgan treats of her in the Acts of the Saints of Ireland, as if she were born of an Irish father, which will be examined in its proper time. Gelenius also mentions her in the Calendar of Cologne, Ferrari in his new Catalogue, Lahier in the Menologium of Virgins, and other writers on Belgian affairs. In the manuscript Florarium under January 28 January 28 and March 15 it reads: "At the monastery of Maubeuge, the birthday of Saint Aldetrudis the Virgin, daughter of Saint Vincentius, Count of Hainaut, and Abbess of the Canonesses, descending from the line of the Carolingians." In a certain more recent manuscript she is listed under March 15. Some wish her to be the daughter of Saint Bavo, concerning whom we treated above among the Omitted Saints.
Annotation* Variant: "little vessel." Obedience confirmed by miracle.
LIFE
From two manuscript codices, compared with the Lessons of the Breviaries.
Aldetrudis, Virgin, Abbess of Maubeuge in Belgium (Saint)
BHL Number: 0253
[1] There was, as the ancient record teaches, in the time of Dagobert, the illustrious King of the Franks, a certain maiden, noble in birth but nobler in faith and works, named Aldetrudis, daughter of the illustrious man Blessed Vincentius and his chosen wife Waldetrudis. Saint Aldetrudis, daughter of Saints Vincentius and Waldetrudis, She had been entrusted by her own mother to the blessed and consecrated Virgin Aldegundis the Abbess, the sister of the aforesaid Waldetrudis, her maternal aunt, to be instructed and taught the holy rule; following whose example, she attained the blessed life. If anyone wishes to tell or narrate her life, it is clearly shown by her example that she who imitated the footsteps of her aunt afterward followed her in heaven. educated at Maubeuge under her aunt Saint Aldegundis. While she was still placed in the monastery at a youthful age and was being nurtured by her blessed kinswoman, having heard the precepts of the Gospel, she began to exercise her mind toward the love of the heavenly fatherland and to yearn for the blessed and eternal life. Meanwhile she began to reflect earnestly, and her holy nurse, Aldegundis, the Virgin of Christ, unceasingly admonished her taught to live in holiness to preserve the palm of virginity and to adorn her lamp with good works, so that when the Bridegroom came, she might not remain outside at the door, knocking and crying out with the foolish virgins, but be crowned in glory with the elect. "For those whom almighty God," she said, "sees kindled with the love of desire for Him, He does not cease to draw through many means, so that, more and more unburdened in spirit, they may burn with the warmth of faith, that they may hasten tenaciously toward the appointed rewards, and shrink from the allurements of the world, and treading through the narrow path, arrive at Him before whom they trust they will remain in the ample seat of blessedness."
[2] Desiring this, the blessed Virgin began to despise the slippery and vain pomps of this world and to love heavenly things, she applies her soul to the exercise of virtues: frequent in prayers, constant in vigils, generous in almsgiving, governing the flock of Christ under the holy rule with every zeal for prosperity, like a most loving friend. While managing the affairs of the monastery according to custom, she ordered that fragments of wax be melted together into a single mass in her presence and cooled in a certain basin. The wax, liquefied by the excessive heat of the fire and flame, overflowed the cauldron and rose up high. Then the aforesaid handmaid of God, moved by distress at the loss, while the attendants stood stupefied, ran forward without hesitation and with bare hands removed the vessel together with the wax from the blazing fire and set it on the floor, her arms, hands, and fingers drenched with fire and wax. And it came to pass, through the interceding merits of the blessed Virgin, that neither in her flesh nor on her skin did any mark of burning or pain appear.
[3] she is preserved unharmed from the fire. Now the Lord began to reveal angelic visions by night to the faithful holy women, in attestation of their good works. One night, therefore, when she had given herself to sleep, she is made Abbess. one of the Sisters saw stars, as it were, descending and ascending, and they sought her that she might go to the nuptials of the Bridegroom. she was seen being invited to the nuptials of the Bridegroom Christ. When she had reported this vision to the Sisters, they rejoiced with immense love and glorified the Lord, who calls His faithful ones to the heavenly nuptials.
[4] When she was now Mother of the convent, governing the little flock of Christ under her right hand, in the silence of the deep night, after completing the Office, she had gathered herself to her couch and snatched a little sleep; one of the Sisters saw the most blessed Apostle Peter standing before the horn of the altar with a joyful countenance, speaking with her she was likewise seen being roused by Saint Peter promising his aid and saying: "Be of brave heart, lovable Virgin, for I will protect you and your handmaids forever, and I will dispel the snares of the ancient enemy." Then, seeing upon her lips a luminous honeycomb of honey, and a ladder erected up to heaven, she beheld how the Virgin of Christ was striving to ascend by it. Hearing this, the blessed Virgin rejoiced and exulted in her heart.
[5] Moreover, one Sunday night, as Aldetrudis, the handmaid of Christ, was standing in the courtyard, a certain faithful Sister, holding her right hand and hearing the sound of men speaking to her but seeing no one, asked what they were saying to her. She answered: "I heard them saying: 'Because you shall be a Queen greeted as Queen and shall be joined to the eternal King.'" And her spirit was gladdened, and striking her breast for joy, she fell to her knees and said: "Lord, how shall this be, since I am a sinner and utterly unworthy?"
[6] Meanwhile the aforesaid handmaid of God saw an eagle flying toward heaven, and blessed Aldetrudis, Virgin of Christ, holding the right wing in her hands, gazed upon it; it was mystically declared that her prayers were heard. she gazed upon how another eagle followed her from behind. At length they penetrated the heavens together, and there was a great splendor, and the eagles cried out, saying: "Your prayer has been heard."
[7] Nevertheless, the Virgin of Christ was troubled by the unceasing visions, fearing that her oracles would not be accepted. She therefore entreated the Lord with tears, saying: "Lord Jesus Christ, who know all things before they come to pass, she prays to be directed in the way of salvation by Christ, reveal to Your unworthy handmaid the hidden things of Your wisdom, that I may be able to praise You in all things, and may deserve to be gathered among the choirs of the holy Virgins, who are blessed forever. Amen." And having finished, when wearied from prayer she had given herself to sleep, she saw in a vision that she was standing alone in the courtyard, directing her gaze toward the south, and she beheld an immense mass of crystal, like the brightest globe, and is confirmed by a vision: passing before her. As it moved through the eastern regions she desired to seize it with her hand, but it passed by with great speed. At length, awakened from sleep, she glorified the Lord with great joy, saying: "Behold the most luminous crystal that I desired to see!"
[8] After not many days a certain Priest of good repute came, telling her she is roused by another vision granted to a Priest that he had seen in a vision on the night of Epiphany a slender man with fine hair, who came like a King from the East bearing in his hand three flowering rods, which he gave to the holy Virgin Aldetrudis herself, and said to her: "You shall rule them with a rod," and they grew in her hand up to the clouds. Hearing this, she was startled as if awakened from a heavy sleep, trembling, and with bent knees and tears, having closed the door behind her, she entered the secret chamber of her heart, entreating the Lord and saying: "Direct me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation, and I have waited for You all the day long."
[9] Again, while she stood alone before the doors of the church in the courtyard, with no one beside her, looking toward the south, she heard a great thunder in heaven, terrified by thunder and lightning, she recognizes Christ consoling her, and behold, a great bolt of lightning went forth, shining exceedingly in her eyes. She was terrified and greatly afraid, saying: "Lord Jesus Christ, I commend my spirit to You." And suddenly she looked and saw before her, in the form of a man, a most beautiful youth, saying to her: "Do not fear; I will be gracious to you." Understanding therefore that it was the Lord Jesus Christ strengthening her spirit lest she tremble, she became trusting and secure; for the Lord does not despise those who seek Him, as He Himself says in the Gospel: "Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it to you." And again: "He who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened."
[10] Furthermore, a certain devout Sister, seeing Bishop Dado coming — who was also called by another name, Audoenus — recounted to him the life of the blessed Virgin of Christ from the beginning, no doubt as it is preserved in the memorial at the monastery of Maubeuge, just as the Abbot Sobnias had done concerning the monastery of Nivelles. At last the bride of Christ left this sorrowful world on the twenty-fifth day of February and happily departed to her Bridegroom, she dies piously, our Lord Jesus Christ, who with God the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, God three and one, forever and ever. Amen.
Annotations