Aldegund

ON S. ALDEGUND, VIRGIN, AT MAUBEUGE IN BELGIUM.

About the year 673.

Aldegund, Virgin at Maubeuge in Belgium (S.)

From various sources.

[1] Maubeuge, or Melbodium, commonly called Maubeuge, is a town of Hainaut in Belgium, on the river Sambre. Here there is a very ancient college of noble Canonesses, whose Abbess is the Lady of the town. The feast of S. Aldegund at Maubeuge, 30 January. S. Aldegund, a most noble Virgin, founded it on the estate of her father's domain: it grew gradually by the influx of newcomers into a town, as many in Belgium did -- S. Ghislain, S. Amand, S. Trond, Nivelles, and others. S. Aldegund is venerated with a double office of the first class, as they call it, on the 30th of January, and the solemnity of the sacred rites is extended to the eighth day. Her name is inscribed in most Martyrologies. Very many manuscripts bearing the name of Usuard, including the very ancient one belonging to the Professed House of the Society of Jesus at Antwerp, which formerly belonged to Augustine Hunaeus, read: At the monastery of Maubeuge, S. Aldegund the Virgin; some call her Aldegonda. The Roman Martyrology reads: At the monastery of Maubeuge in Hainaut, S. Aldegund the Virgin, in the time of King Dagobert. Bede's common edition, Rabanus, Notker, and Molanus in his supplement to Usuard: At the monastery of Maubeuge, the birthday of Aldegund the Virgin, who, in the time of Dagobert, King of the Franks, born of noble lineage, chose the resolution of virginity, in which she also persevered; and the vision of Angels was very often revealed to her, exhorting her to remain steadfast in her resolution: and at last, with great brightness of heavenly light, she departed to eternal life. Galesinius, Canisius, Saussaius, Wion, Menardus, Ghinius, and others declare similar things about her.

[2] Wandelbert, as we said above, recorded her on the 27th of January:

The land of Africa venerates its own Avitus on the sixth, Sulpicius, Bathildis, and Aldegund also flourish. Elsewhere on 27 January.

But the most ancient copy of Usuard, which is preserved in Paris at the monastery of S. Germain des Pres, and very many other printed and manuscript Martyrologies, have the following under 13 November: And 13 November, At the monastery of Maubeuge, S. Aldegund the Virgin; so that it is uncertain whether she died on the former or the latter day. For although a more recent Translation, made some 200 years ago, is now commemorated on that day, nevertheless most of those Martyrologies were written long before that translation; nor did that Translation occur on that day, as we shall say below. Surius also first published the Life of S. Aldegund under the 13th day of November.

[3] The Life of S. Aldegund was committed to writing by a certain contemporary of hers. Thus the Life which we give here, at number 5: A Life written by a contemporary of hers: Now we must come to the visions which had appeared to her while she was still dwelling in her father's household; which she herself had described and handed over to a certain devout Abbot named Sobinus, of the monastery of Nivelles, and to another Brother whose name we do not know; and who wrote her visions and her life: lest anyone say that such marvelous and almost unheard-of visions were composed by our invention. Whether that Life exists anywhere, after so many calamities inflicted on the Belgian provinces by the Normans and other Barbarians, after so many plunderings of Maubeuge and the neighboring towns in the French wars, we do not know: certainly, though long sought, we have not been able to find it.

[4] We give here three other Lives of the holy Virgin. The first we received from an old manuscript of the Church of S. Omer, and collated it with an equally old codex from the monastery of S. Maximin at Trier and somewhat more recent ones from the monasteries of Korsendonk and Rouge-Cloitre of the Canons Regular, Another by an anonymous author, and with the second part of the Legend printed at Louvain some 150 years ago, in which however it was incomplete. The author of this Life acknowledges that he used that older Life and other documents; thus he writes at number 2: as we have found in the most ancient pages and in the report of very many. And at number 27: as we have found in the title of the documents. And from time to time he seems to reproduce the very words of the ancient writer: thus at number 20: A certain Priest of good repute, dwelling in the monastery from boyhood to mature age in that period, lived without reproach. He was accustomed to narrate to us how, when he was, etc. And at number 25: Therefore, on the third night before her departure from the body, we gathered from various and far-distant places out of the devotion of our hearts. Then, when the new morning came, the sister of the same handmaid of God reported to us. Finally he intimates that he interpolated the earlier Life, writing thus toward the end: whom we beseech to deign to intercede for us, who have supplied these additions.

[5] Hucbald, or Hubald, or Hugbald, a monk of S. Amand at Elnone, whom Sigebert in his book On Writers, chapter 107, praises as distinguished for his knowledge of the liberal arts, Another by Hucbald, a monk of S. Amand, wrote another Life of S. Aldegund, as Valerius Andreas, Autbert Miraeus, and others relate from the Chronicle of Elnone; and he himself, although he wishes his name to be suppressed, certainly indicates that he is an Amandine, or at least a devotee of S. Amand, in that he frequently mentions him in this Life, and sometimes with ample praise, as at number 13: Then Blessed Amandus, already known to almost the entire world by the most celebrated fame of his virtues, who as a zealous laborer in the harvest of God had brought many nations round about to the Catholic faith, had built many monasteries of men and handmaidens of God, etc.; he makes similar declarations at numbers 20 and 25. He likewise from time to time cites either the former Life which we give, or the other which we lament as either lost or hidden. As when he writes at number 6: But if anyone desires to know such visions more fully, let him consult her Life, from which we, gleaning a few things, merely attempt to indicate a summary account of matters for those who wish to know how great is the merit of this Virgin, who was so often refreshed by Angelic consolations. We transcribed this from an old manuscript from Liessies and two from Maubeuge, and collated it with the one which Surius had previously published, though incomplete.

[6] The third was furnished to us by an ancient codex from the Cell of S. Ghislain in Hainaut. It appears to have been written by some Abbot or monk of that place; Another by a Ghislain monk, certainly by someone who dwelt not far from the river Sambre, of which he writes thus at number 7: Whose floods and waves are so deadly not only to swimmers but also to boaters, that we know that a fisherman's son, a familiar of ours, recently married to a bride, was drowned in our time. He too cites the earlier Life several times, and most clearly at number 18: Thus far our speech has stammered, not as it ought, but as it could, and has recounted, however ineptly, yet truthfully and fittingly, the holy Virgin's birth, conduct, and deeds. What follows, just as it was found in the ancient codex of her deeds, we set down, lest we be judged to have curtailed rather than organized the holy history. When therefore she was still in the house of her parents, tender in years and limbs, etc. The rest also agrees in wording with the earlier Life, which we have therefore omitted.

[7] Other writings about her. Philip Harveng of Eleemosyna, Abbot of Bonne-Esperance, mentions S. Aldegund in the life of S. Amand, which we shall give on 6 February; Hubert in the Life of S. Gudula on 8 January; Baldric in his Chronicle, book 2, chapter 36; Autbert Miraeus in the Belgian Fasti; and countless others. A certain member of the holy Capuchin Order, who did not express his name, published her Life in French; we have learned that he is called Father Basil of Athens: he collected and discussed many matters with care. Almost all other Belgian writers on sacred antiquities either mention Aldegund honorably or narrate her deeds more fully. Most zealously of all, our Andreas Tricquetius, who labors with notable zeal both to propagate the honor of the Saint, the patroness of his homeland, and to arouse in others the emulation of her illustrious virtues, and who has supplied us with various information about her.

[8] The year in which S. Aldegund died must be determined from the matters we shall discuss about the time of S. Amand's death on 6 February; since they commonly suppose he died in the year 662, When did she die? we shall show that it seems more probable that he lived to the times of King Theodoric, and departed this life, certainly at a very advanced age, on a Sunday in the year 673. That Aldegund did not long survive him is clear from her Life. For the claim of the French Life's writer, that there exists a letter of Fulbert to Ebalus, Archbishop of Rheims, in which the following is read: How great was the eloquence with which Bishop Autbert was endowed, take this one example among the rest. He committed to burial the body of Blessed Aldegund the Virgin, in whose honor he spoke these grieving words, etc. -- this does not at all commend itself to us; for in the more recent and more correct editions of Fulbert's letters there indeed exists a letter addressed to Ebalus, numbers 53 and 54, but in neither of them are these things read: and Autbert seems altogether to have died before Aldegund, as we shall say in his Life on 13 December. The statement in the earlier Life that the body of S. Aldegund was translated from Cousolre to Maubeuge in the presence of King Sigebert -- this, as we shall note below, was absent from the manuscript of S. Ghislain, and is utterly incredible, since King S. Sigebert died in the year 654.

[9] In the greater basilica at Maubeuge, dedicated to the name of S. Aldegund, her most holy bones are preserved enclosed in a silver casket, large and most skillfully wrought: Her relics, separately, in another casket of great value, her head is deposited. We have several times venerated these divine treasures in person. There is also displayed there the veil which, as the authors of her Life relate, the Holy Spirit appearing in the form of a dove, or an Angel, placed upon her head. There are also shown her staff, three purses, a knife, the sole of a sandal which stuck in the mud on the bank of the river Sambre when she was fleeing her suitor Eudo, and a certain rosary, not wholly dissimilar to that which S. Dominic is said to have either instituted or especially recommended for human use.

[10] At Maubeuge, next to the greater basilica, there stands another old and smaller church, which is commonly called the Old Monastery, or church, Old sepulchre, Vieux monstier: in it the body of S. Aldegund is believed to have been deposited in the chapel which is sacred to her, and beneath the altar a kind of excavated sepulchre is seen, which certain people enter reverently, imploring the Saint's protection against diseases. The ailments which are especially driven away by her patronage What diseases does she cure? are cancer, abscesses and ulcerations of the breasts, headache, scabies, quinsy, and fevers, which are frequently cured by the water of a spring near Maubeuge. She has also very often brought relief to those possessed by evil spirits.

[11] Besides the principal church, the following are dedicated to her honor in the same town: the Capuchin church, Churches sacred to her, a chapel in the Jesuit church, a domestic chapel of the Oratory, and other public and private chapels there; elsewhere throughout all of Belgium there are also very many churches. Molanus testifies that there is a parish of S. Aldegund at Emmerich in Cleves, in his Saints' Days of Belgium under 14 July, when he treats of S. Dentlin.

LIFE

By an anonymous author, from ancient manuscripts.

Aldegund, Virgin at Maubeuge in Belgium (S.)

BHL Number: 0245

By an anonymous author, from manuscripts.

CHAPTER I.

The birth of S. Aldegund. Her pious upbringing.

[1] Since all the utterances of the divine Scriptures must be proclaimed to all Catholics, that in them one may learn what is to be done and what is to be avoided; so also the memory and life of the holy Fathers must be applied to the heart to no small degree: The Acts of the Saints to be read, where the contest of Martyrs, the constancy of Priests, the faith of Confessors, the continence of widows, and the celibacy of Virgins are depicted; so that through their intercession we may merit to have Christ as our advocate, whom by offending we have rushed headlong toward the snare of death. Let us therefore implore for ourselves the prayer of the Virgin Aldegund: who strove by continually cleaving to Him to please the Son of the Virgin Mary.

[2] After the mercy of Almighty God sent His only-begotten, consubstantial, and coeternal Son into the world, and triumphing over the devil by the trophy of the Cross, blessed the mystical Sacraments of His most sacred Body and Blood, and sent the Paraclete Spirit to His disciples both before and after His Ascension, so that through them the Evangelical faith might resound throughout all the earth and the whole world be reborn through the grace of baptism; He also deigned to extend the right hand of His mercy to the Frankish nation, so that just as He had offered the hand of mercy to the Prince of the Apostles lest he be swallowed by the waves of the sea, so also to us, long bound to apostate servitude, He would freely bestow the light of His brightness, the vices of darkness being expelled. When therefore the name of Christianity was being spread everywhere through the kingdom of the Franks, and all were yearning for the hope of the heavenly homeland, in that time when the glorious King of the Franks, Dagobert, was administering the monarchy of royal power; S. Aldegund born of illustrious lineage, there was born a certain maiden of royal descent, named Aldegund. Her father, as we have found in the most ancient pages and in the report of very many, was called Walbert, and her mother Bertilia. Although enriched with the proud distinction of their blood, fortified with the name and title of Christianity, they so brought up their offspring Aldegund that she would be deemed worthy of the heavenly Bridegroom in her very girlhood years. She also had two uncles, of whom one, Gundeland, exercised and administered the dignity of the Mayor of the Palace; the other, Landricus, is reported to have been a most energetic man and very skilled in military affairs.

[3] When therefore her parents wished to give this maiden, supported by such a lineage, in marriage, and to join her in matrimony according to her noble station; Of excellent character, the most prudent Virgin, despising the world together with its Prince, devoted herself entirely to Christ. Hungering, she thirsted for Him, and thirsting, she hungered. For she was honest in character, gentle in speech: merciful to the poor, swift in reading, most prompt in her answers, mild to all, humble among the noble, as though equal to her juniors, so devoted to abstinence in the sparing use of food and drink that none of her companions could be compared to her. When therefore her parents estimated that the time of marriageable age was now at hand for the Virgin, her mother summoned her daughter, and with sweet words urged her not to hide from her mother what her heart held. Then the mother set forth her own wish: To her mother urging marriage she displayed the great number of the household, the boundless abundance of estates, the well-stocked farms and overflowing treasuries: she coaxed the daughter to assent to her mother, that she be joined to a husband: she declared herself ready to persuade the father, along with their friends, at whose pleasure the wedding would be celebrated, that she be united to a most noble, most wealthy, and most handsome youth. Having heard these things, the Virgin of God Aldegund, seizing the opportunity for what she had long before conceived in her heart, and, what is more, inspired by the divine Spirit, immediately answered: Why, Lady mother, dearest mother, do you burden my spirit with so many persuasive words? I shall open what I have in mind, not unmindful of what I contemplate: She reveals her resolution to preserve her virginity: I shall make known what I desire. I long for such a Bridegroom whose estates are heaven and earth and sea, whose farms shall never fail for eternity, whose riches grow daily and never diminish. If you can, mother, obtain such a Bridegroom for me, not a sinful, wanton, mortal man. Hearing this, the mother, although she could not move the Virgin's mind from her constancy, nevertheless with womanly affection often tried to tempt her concerning the prospect of marriage.

[4] While these things were being done and refused, Christ, who promises His faithful through the Prophet, saying: In the day of your tribulation I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me; and likewise: And before you call upon me, I will say, Behold, I am here; gave consolation to His Virgin, by which she might more easily fly to her vow. Psalm 9:16. Isaiah 32:6. For the same handmaid of God Aldegund had a sister named Waldetrudis, who had been joined to an illustrious man, Madelgarius, surnamed Vincent: both of whom, kindled by the fire of divine love, By her sister S. Waldetrudis setting aside worldly things, followed Christ. Of these, Madelgarius, who is also called Vincent, seeking the monastery called Hautmont, is said to have led a religious life. But his wife, burning with the same spirit, receiving the sacred veil from the hand of Blessed Autbert, Bishop of the Churches of Arras and Cambrai, devoted herself in the monastery which she herself had built in the place called Castrilocus, which we have found was so named because the Roman army once pitched camp there. After the venerable Waldetrudis, therefore, having renounced all worldly things, had committed herself to the contemplative life, she sent a letter to her mother Bertilia, beseeching that her sister Aldegund be sent to her for the sake of consolation, and that she return as quickly as possible. Hearing this, the mother immediately gave her consent, sending her daughter to console her sister. For it was also the desire of the same Waldetrudis She is confirmed in her resolution, that her sister Aldegund, taking the sacred veil, should undertake the care of the Sisters dwelling there; no one doubting that the Holy Spirit was at work, so that those who shared one mind of pleasing Christ should also have a common dwelling in this world. And as it is written: Iron sharpens iron, and a man sharpens the face of his friend; these twin shining lamps, offering guidance to the other Sisters, might merit to reach, together with them, eternal light, our Lord Jesus Christ. Proverbs 27:17.

CHAPTER II.

Heavenly visions offered to her.

[5] Now we must come to the visions which had appeared to her while she was still dwelling in her father's household; She is illuminated by visions: which she herself had described and handed over to a certain devout Abbot named Sobinus, of the monastery of Nivelles, and to another Brother whose name we do not know; and who wrote her visions and her life: lest anyone say that such marvelous and almost unheard-of visions were composed by our invention. On a certain night, therefore, she hears through a vision that inestimable riches are promised to her. The Virgin of Christ at first supposes that earthly riches are being promised to her: She hears that heavenly riches are promised to her: but immediately she recognizes in spirit that heavenly ones are owed to her. She also perceives in the vision that she is being caught up on high, and is being urged by someone to set aside perishable things, so that, with no fear of the world hindering her, she might more easily attain heavenly ones. Then she hears a voice saying to her: Seek no other bridegroom for yourself She is stirred to the pursuit of virginity: than the Son of God. She furthermore beholds in the vision Christ in the form of a most beautiful boy, bringing her a white robe, and giving her the palm of victory. She also heard that she would be a companion of the Saints. Meanwhile she beholds the devil, saddened by her election. An Angel of the Lord also exhorts her to persevere in virginity and to remove herself far from the world. Supported by such protections and trusting in such consolations, what she could not yet accomplish in body, she strove to accomplish in spirit: she renounces the hostile world, wishing to have as friend Him who made the world.

[6] Then the more perfectly she stood firm in faith and persevered in charity, the greater things she began to contemplate in vision. For there appeared to her a maiden coming from a journey, who said to her: My sister Aldegund, the Mother of God, S. Mary, has sent me to you, that you may ask for whatever you wish. But she without delay, with great eagerness of spirit, replied that she desired whatever the Lord willed, and preferred that the will of Christ be fulfilled in her. Likewise she beholds the Blessed Apostle Peter admonishing her concerning the kingdom of God. She is variously refreshed and encouraged: She also beholds Christ in the form of the Sun and Moon in the figure of the kingdom of God, which no one can receive except with an immaculate soul and body. At one time she is caught up among the choirs of the heavenly beings, and there two men are brought to her, of whom one, as they themselves confessed, had already received the crown, but the other had not. She is warned of approaching death: She hears moreover that each receives his rewards according to the quality of his merits. An Angel addresses her in a vision, exhorting her to prepare herself to go forth to meet Christ, and announcing that the time of departure was at hand. In her visions she humbles herself: But the Virgin of Christ Aldegund, in all visions of this kind, confesses herself unworthy and proclaims herself humble and declares herself a sinner, and not worthy of so great a Bridegroom. Again and again the Angel manifests himself repeating the same things and pressing them upon her, showing such familiar conversation with the Virgin that, just as is read of Manoah and his wife, the parents of the most mighty Samson, she inquired of the Angel with all confidence by what name he was known. Judges 13:17. And she received this response, that his name was glorious, just as theirs. She asks the Angel's name: Why, he said, do you ask my name, which is wonderful? The blessed conscience of the Virgin of Christ was daily drawing nearer to the kingdom of God, and cleaved to the privilege of the heavenly Bridegroom.

[7] After her mother Bertilia had departed this life, there appeared to her daughter Aldegund a certain one announcing to her that an Angel had said that the blessed Virgin herself would have Christ as her Bridegroom. She beholds heavenly glory: Not long after she beholds the Lord Jesus, whom she loved with her whole affection and ardor of mind, as though a King wearing a diadem on his head, clothed in golden garments: and, as she herself confessed, and called God as witness that she did not lie, she saw in spirit the glory which the Saints enjoy in the heavenly court.

[8] The handmaid of God had once heard a word of detraction spoken about herself, as is the custom of the perverse and the idle. She is taught to despise slanders: And when her spirit was long tormented over this matter, the Angel was present in his customary manner, consoling her and promising her a heavenly seat; but threatening to her detractors, those envious and idle ones, eternal punishment and infernal pains, unless they should repent. At that time Blessed Bishop Amandus was nearby in the vicinity, shining with many virtues; who had brought very many nations round about to the title of Christianity by the word of his preaching and the merits of his life: She sees S. Amandus going to heaven; and had advanced many monasteries of monks, colleges of Canons, and congregations of maidens to the highest honors. For it was shown to Aldegund as though S. Amandus were passing to the Lord; and the multitude of the people, who through him had believed in Christ, were following him: the Virgin of Christ herself also was in the same company. Blessed Amandus therefore was receiving from the Lord Jesus a crown for the great number of men whom he had won for Christ: but the most kind Aldegund had merited from her Bridegroom the prize for the multitude of maidens. Among other things which she had seen and heard, the devil was shown in a vision, who, always plotting against the faithful and diverting them from the right path, does not cease to cast them headlong into the slippery ways of his perversity. And the devil saddened; For she saw him greatly saddened; and the Virgin of Christ, carefully questioning, inquired why his malice was so great against the human race; and what profit he thought would come to him, while he drags so many thousands of men down with himself to hell. To which the evil one replied that he bore great envy against the sons of Adam, who had been substituted in the kingdom from which he himself, wretched and apostate, had been cast out with his accomplices.

[9] She always humbles herself when the Angel appears: On a certain Saturday she sees the Angel of God standing beside her, admonishing her concerning the kingdom of God. But she, as always, cried out that she was unworthy of the grace of her God: moreover she wondered that he would deign to visit her so often. And when she wished to adore the Angel, as once that beloved Disciple did, he vanished from her eyes. Revelation 22:8. Again and again the Angel of the Lord appeared to her, admonishing her concerning the kingdom of God. Now she beholds her Bridegroom attended by various trappings, now in a splendor as though illuminating the whole world, sometimes also showing her the riches and glory of the heavenly Jerusalem. She frequently also supposed that the Holy Spirit was speaking to her. Moreover, the Virgin of Christ had been informed concerning certain of her relatives, how one and how the other fared: whom punishment constrained, She learns many hidden things from him; and whom glory adorned. The Angel also brought her much information about ecclesiastical men. After a few days the messenger of the Lord is present, telling her that a dwelling place was prepared for her in heaven, and that it remained only that she be prepared, so that she might merit to be gathered into the assembly of the Angels. It was also shown to the same Virgin what her soul would be like after it was no longer burdened by this mortal condition. A longer life obtained for her: And when the Angel had forewarned that the time of her dissolution was at hand, and on the appointed day she was wearied by no bodily distress; she began to ask the Angel why she was being kept from the kingdom prepared for her. And she received this reply from him, saying that the Angels had obtained this, that she might have a span of life for the perfecting of her virtues.

[10] Nevertheless, at one time she was troubled by the distress of a tertian fever: and when the week was already passing, She is tormented with thirst by the devil: around the middle of the night so great an ardor of thirst invaded her that it was believed she would expire unless she drank at once. And when she struggled against it with all her might, and supposed that what she was suffering was the force of the fever, not the malice of the devil by whom she was being ambushed; she sought her accustomed weapons and took refuge in prayer. And behold, before dawn she beholds the ancient enemy standing beside her, who was compelled to confess that it was he who had sent the affliction. And when with his foul countenance and horrible face he confessed these things, he burst into blasphemy, saying to the most Blessed Virgin: There still remains for you a hard and narrow way, and it is uncertain whether you will persevere in the service of God. To which the Virgin of Christ immediately replied: The Lord is my helper; I will not fear what man may do to me. Instantly the devil fled in confusion, and the thirst departed from her. After that diabolical temptation, divine consolation was present to her: She obtains perseverance from God, for she saw in a vision, before the horn of the altar, someone in priestly vestment; and when she recognized the God of heaven, falling down she adored him and said: Lord my God, grant to me, a sinner, that I may remain in your love even to the end. And the Lord, assenting, promised it to her. Not many days later she beholds in a vision a man of surpassing brightness. And when she asked those standing by who he might be, illuminated by the heavenly radiance she received the answer within herself: It is S. Peter, the Apostle of the Lord. And she received from his hand, as it seemed to her, She receives bread from S. Peter: a white loaf, in which she rejoiced exceedingly in the Lord.

[11] Her sister also, already mentioned and often to be mentioned, the most holy Waldetrudis, She is betrothed to Christ: having given herself to sleep on a certain day, was caught up in ecstasy and beheld a certain one coming as it were from heaven. When she eagerly asked whether the Lord had regarded her repentance, he assented. But when she inquired about the state of her sister Aldegund, she heard: Your sister has merited Christ as her Bridegroom. Then she heard that King David would come for the wedding document. Moreover, upon all these things there came a certain devout man, who, not knowing that the things written above had been recorded, said to her: It was revealed to me in spirit that Christ has dispatched messengers. And when I asked the reason for so great an embassy, the answer was given me: That he may take the Virgin Aldegund as his bride: who has prepared a worthy habitation in her body and an immaculate bed for Christ in her soul. Hearing these things, however, the most blessed Virgin did not exalt herself in pride at the honor of so great a reward, but patiently, with humility, awaited the coming of the Lord and Savior.

[12] She perceives the coming of the Holy Spirit upon her: She also beholds herself standing in a courtyard, and a multitude of men standing about on the right and left: to her there suddenly appears a globe, as it were of fire, coming from heaven, full of exceeding splendor. And when she asked those standing by what this might be; the man who stood at her right said: The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow you. And immediately the vision vanished from her eyes. Then on the fourth day after these things, about the middle of the Lord's night, the blessed Virgin arose to go to the Matins vigil: and when she entered the church, one of the Sisters, going out, sees the courtyard, in which the earlier vision had appeared, shining with exceeding light: and when she marveled in astonishment whence so great a light was to be found there, since darkness covered the whole earth; she understood that it was happening from heaven. And when in the morning she narrated this to the Sisters, and they sought the cause of so great a splendor; it remained unknown to all, except to Blessed Aldegund, to whom the earlier vision had appeared. But she glorified God, who does not despise those who hope in Him.

[13] After the circle of a year, King David again appears to her, announcing the glory of the Saints, She sees King David: the rest of the faithful, and the fellowship of those who live forever. And when the most prudent Virgin was turning over such visions in her mind, and with thirst was longing for the crown of eternity, someone approached her and said: My Lady, a venerable vision has appeared to me: namely the Lord Jesus, coming with a host of Angels, was speaking to you before the horn of the altar. Christ before the altar, And when you were gazing upon Him, you said: Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him who takes away the sins of the world. And when the blessed Virgin asked at what hour such a vision had appeared to the man; from the knowledge of the time she recognized that it was the same one that had been shown to her. On the fourth day thereafter they brought to her a small child, for whose life its family had despaired. At which place the sick person then recovered. And Blessed Aldegund ordered that it be placed before the horn of the altar: which being done, the child was immediately restored to health. And when the Virgin of Christ was told of the sudden recovery of the infant, she remembered that this had happened because it had touched the place where she had seen the Lord pass a few days before. And she gave thanks to Christ the Lord, who works wonders in heaven and on earth.

CHAPTER III.

Her distinguished virtues and miracles.

[14] Since in the foregoing we have made mention, by Christ's gift, of what we could learn about the manner of life of the blessed and praiseworthy Virgin of Christ Aldegund; and have outlined in the style of our mediocrity how, kindled by the grace of the Holy Spirit to divine love, she trampled upon the nobility of proud blood by the humility of Christ; and have also depicted in humble script the marvelous visions, which the Lord wished to make known to His faithful for the honor and glory of His name; now the pen must be turned to the signs which the Lord Jesus deigned to work through the intercession of His Virgin, and how she passed, having conquered the wicked pleasures of this miry world, to the bridal chamber of her heavenly, eternal, and glorious Bridegroom, our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the King of Kings S. Aldegund always generous to the poor, and their crown. When therefore the blessed Virgin, still in the house of her parents, tender in years and limbs but mature in character, was dwelling there, whatever was within her rights she bestowed liberally upon the poor: she extended bread to the hungry: and as far as was possible for her, in the manner of Blessed Job, her door lay open daily to the traveler; and if at times money to give to the poor was lacking, yet the will to give was never absent from the Virgin; as the outcome of events proved after her parents' departure from this world. Job 31:32.

[15] And so, as is the custom of human frailty and timidity, who prefer to become slaves of money and guardians of Mammon, rather than to render to their Creator, from whom they may receive a hundredfold in return with the interest of eternal life; the aforesaid mother of the Virgin, Bertilia, had amassed a not insignificant sum of money: but it could not be hidden from the Virgin of Christ, so that by God's gift, what the mother had ill concealed in the purse, She bestows her mother's treasure upon them: the daughter generously distributed in public. And although she learned the place of the treasure against her mother's will, she nevertheless took nothing from it before her death. But having survived her parents, she immediately dispersed her mother's treasures among the poor of Christ.

[16] For as time went on, when she had now become a materfamilias, and the seed of Christian religion grew daily in her heart, not unmindful of the poor of Christ, she gave silver to a servant to purchase clothing for the use of God's servants and the poor of Christ, She is confirmed in this, the money being divinely increased; and to bring back to her whatever of the money remained. What more? The well-taught servant fulfilled his instructions: he purchased the garments she had ordered, and brought back to his mistress the money that was left over. In a wondrous manner, He who at the coming of Elijah multiplied a hundredfold the flour and oil, restored to the lap of His bride Aldegund the silver which the servant had distributed for the use of clothing. Seeing this, Blessed Aldegund and her sister Waldetrudis rendered immense thanks to the Lord. O happy and more than blessed is your money, Virgin, which is praised not only by the mouths of men on earth, but also, ascending to the secrets of heaven, is extolled by the voices of Angels!

[17] You also know, most beloved, you for whom the Evangelical reading is dear to the heart, that the Apostles, after the Passion and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, labored in fishing in the presence of the Savior, and obtained an abundance of fish at the command of the Master. John 21. He indeed who was then present to His disciples did not fail the faith of the blessed Virgin. When on a certain day her fisherman brought her a large and still living fish, she ordered it to be nourished in a spring which was nearby, so that she might have an abundance of fish for the use of the servants of God, who are never lacking in the monastery. On a certain day, however, when the wandering fish had leapt into the air, it came down on dry ground. And when it could not return by leaping to the place from which it had come, it began to flap about, dying on the dry ground. And behold, more swiftly than sight, crows from the vicinity, as though foreseeing their prey, flew up as fast as possible, croaking with hollow throats over the fish, now attacking with their talons, A lamb defending the fish against the crows: now tearing with their beaks, abusing the Virgin's fish as though it were their own. But nearby a lamb was grazing, which, running up swiftly, interposed itself as a defender against the gluttonous crows: and though by its nature most gentle toward all, it proved stronger than its nature against the crows. The Sisters of the monastery, seeing these new battles being waged, namely the sheep striving eagerly with horns and hooves and the whole effort of its body; immediately ran up and found the fish unharmed: and the handmaids of God brought it back to Aldegund, not without great wonder. But the same lamb, which had snatched the fish from the jaws of the plunderers, followed the Sisters of Abbess Aldegund carrying the fish, until they came into the presence of the Virgin of Christ.

[18] Truly is He to be praised in His Angels and proclaimed in His Archangels, who is always present to His own and does not abandon for a moment those who trust in Him. When therefore on a certain night the handmaid of God Aldegund and her sister Waldetrudis were meditating carefully on the love of Christ, the regular way of life, and the salvation of the Sisters entrusted to them by Christ, the candle placed before them suddenly fell and was extinguished. And when they were waiting for someone to come and relight it, the Lord Jesus Christ, who said to His disciples in His own person, I am the light of the world, did not allow His handmaids, gathered in His name, to endure even momentary darkness. John 8:12. For the blessed Virgin, stretching out her hand, took up the lamp, which was immediately lit from heaven. She miraculously relights an extinguished candle: Seeing this, the handmaids of God rendered immense thanks to Jesus, who gives Himself as light in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. Not much later, while both sisters were carrying out the care of the flock committed to them, walking through the convent to attend to some business, they came to the basilica of S. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, at the sixth hour for prayer: and knocking on the door, since there was no custodian present to open the doors of the church; The door of the church opens for her: lest the handmaids of the Lord be deprived of the grace of prayer, and their spirit, stretched like a bow in the service of God, be in any way frustrated, He who opened the iron gate of the city for Peter opened the wooden doors of the church for His handmaids. Acts 12:10. Then, devoutly rendering their customary thanks to Christ, they entered, and having paid their due tribute, returned home with joyful spirit.

[19] The illustrious bride of Christ, keeping in mind what she had read, where the Lord says, If you wish to be perfect, go, sell all that you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven, and come, follow me; what she had previously done in many things she afterwards devoutly completed in all things, so that she would retain nothing for herself on earth who desired to possess everything in heaven. She gives all her possessions to the Church and the poor: Matthew 19:21. She made an account of all her treasures: gold and silver and precious stones, as well as the royal ornaments she possessed, she handed over for the adornment of churches: her estates and boundless possessions she gave by public donation for the use of those who served Christ there: all the rest she delegated for the use of the poor, retaining nothing for herself except the lowly garment of nuns and daily sustenance, on which she lived in common. But Jesus, truly mindful of His faithful promises, Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you, granted that she who had left her own things for His name should have Him as her advocate. Luke 11:9. For it happened on the following night, Water is turned into wine for her: when servants were bringing water from the spring for drinking, that He who at Cana of Galilee turned six jars of water into wine, Himself changed the water of the spring into the taste of wonderful wine. Seeing this, all the handmaids of Christ counted the possession of earthly riches as nothing, for the love of Him who is at hand to all who leave their own things. It happened moreover that one of the handmaids filled a small pitcher with water with which the Virgin of God was to wash her hands: A vessel is miraculously refilled with water for her use, and when she was about to pour the water on her hands, she found the vessel empty: and when, trembling, she turned this way and that, and wished to run back to the spring, she found the pitcher full of water. And when this sign had spread to the ears of the handmaids of God, they all marveled, saying with certainty that this had been done by the merit of the faith of Blessed Aldegund.

CHAPTER IV.

Other miracles. Her death.

[20] The death of S. Aldegund revealed beforehand to a Priest and a nun. A certain Priest of good repute, dwelling in the monastery from boyhood to mature age in that period, lived without reproach. He was accustomed to narrate to us that when he was before the doors of his small dwelling, he saw at the first hour of the night a ball of fire descending from heaven and settling upon the dwelling in which the handmaid of Christ Aldegund was ill. After the Matins lauds, when one of the senior Sisters had given herself for a short time to rest after the toil of the vigils, she saw in a vision Blessed Aldegund standing before the altar in the place of the Priest, and breaking the Body of the Lord into the chalice, and turning to the Sister who saw these things, she said: Go, quickly, and tell the Priest to confect the mysteries of Christ in this chalice, so that since I was unable to communicate yesterday because of the weakness of my body, today I may become a partaker of the Body and Blood of the Lord. When day had come, the Priest proceeded to sing Mass: and during the celebration he sees the chalice suspended in the air, and then immediately settled back in its place. Then the maiden, certain of the vision, and the Priest, of the suspended chalice, both reported it to the handmaid of Christ, made certain of the dissolution of her body, which they knew was imminent.

[21] A maiden who fell into the fire is preserved unharmed through her merits; Nevertheless, on a certain day when the Sisters of the convent were building a fire so that they might wash garments with heated water, and one of them was standing near the coals, the ancient enemy, envying the obedience of the handmaids of Christ, cast the one standing nearby into the fire. Bronze vessels with boiling water had also been suspended above the fire. And so, when our adversary thought to assail the Virgin of Christ in a threefold manner -- namely by the headlong fall, and by the boiling water, and also by the burning of the garments in which she was clothed -- upon the invocation of the Trinity, he was thwarted in manifold ways. For the tunic which she was then wearing had belonged to Blessed Aldegund. For this reason the women, making a great tumult, came running, and she whom they feared had been torn limb from limb and stiffened by the violence of the flame, they found unharmed through the intercession of the Virgin's prayers. Who among Christians would presume to doubt that this handmaid was freed by the grace of Him who delivered the three youths from the furnace and Daniel from the den of lions? He Himself was her help, as the Evangelical authority attests: A city set on a hill cannot be hidden, nor a lamp under a bushel, etc., the Lord saying: Upon whom shall I look, but upon the humble and him who trembles at my words? Matthew 5:14. Isaiah 66:2. And again: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16.

[22] Finally, the blessed and venerable Virgin Aldegund, following in the footsteps of Christ, among others whom she had won for Christ by drawing them away from the devil, had also brought up in the monastery according to the Rule the daughter of her sister Waldetrudis, named Aldetrudis, from her very cradle. S. Aldetrudis was by her holily instructed, She, daily keeping watch at the feet of her aunt, like another Mary, was formed according to her life and conduct. She was indeed of the utmost humility and obedience: and that Almighty God might make this known to mortals, the materfamilias Blessed Aldegund ordered the same young maiden to gather fragments of wax together into one mass, and to place them over the fire so that they would be fused together. She instantly obeyed more swiftly than the command: she lit a fire and placed a vessel, that is, a basin, full of wax over it. But behold, as the fire conquered the material beneath and the pile of wood collapsed, the boiling vessel tipped to one side and added fuel to the fire. Seeing this, the young maiden of good disposition, Aldetrudis, was greatly distressed at so great a loss, and hastening with bare hands and bared arms, She is preserved from injury by fire through her merits, she freed the vessel with the liquefied wax from the blaze of heat, lifting it from the fire and placing it on the floor. For, with the prayers of the blessed Virgin interceding and her obedience assisting, no injury was found on her flesh or skin, as the Truth attests, which promises to His faithful, saying: He who hears you hears me; and: Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20.

[23] A certain man, whether because his own sins demanded it, or so that the faith of the Virgin might be made manifest, was seized in mind A certain man deprived of his senses is restored to himself, and brought almost to his last extremity. And when his parents had despaired of his life, they brought him to the convent of nuns, intimating to the Virgin with great weeping what he was suffering. But she, at the evening hour, having him brought before her, prayed for him: and making the Sign of the Cross over him, she bade him return home: and he, soon recovering, was restored to health.

[24] On the fifth day before the death of Blessed Aldegund, this kind of vision appeared to her sister S. Waldetrudis: The death of Aldegund shown beforehand to S. Waldetrudis; she saw the Blessed Mary ever Virgin, and the Princes of the Apostles Peter and Paul, coming with the hosts of the Saints, and leading her sister to the heavenly kingdoms: so that she whose example and merits of life she had followed in this world, in their fellowship she might enjoy the heights above. Then in the convent at Nivelles, where the body of S. Gertrude rests, a revelation was made which disclosed the death of the holy Virgin. A certain Sister there, having renounced the world, had received the sacred veil three years before: she was of extraordinary simplicity and obedience; and on Friday, the day before the Saturday of the falling asleep of the handmaid of Christ Aldegund, when, weary, she had given herself to bed: And to a certain nun, about the middle of the night she saw an immense splendor of light enter the church of Blessed Peter, where the already mentioned Blessed Gertrude is entombed; so that the noonday sun illuminated everything from the floor to the beams. And when, astonished at so great a brightness, she was overcome with fear, she hears choirs singing psalms; and, as she herself confessed, she distinguished with her ears the voices of men and women, boys and girls. And when, with all the effort of her mind and attentive hearing, she was being drawn toward that place, between listening, both the vision was withdrawn and the hearing taken away.

[25] Therefore, on the third night before her departure from the body, we gathered from various and far-distant places out of the devotion of our hearts. Then, when the new morning came, the sister of the same handmaid of God reported to us that a certain one of the Sisters, praying, had stood before the doors of the house, The house illuminated from heaven, at that hour when the moon, cutting its course through the night, had completed as much of its journey as still remained to run: and behold, an immense lightning flash, shining with exceeding brightness, appeared over the house in which the Virgin of Christ, Bride of the Lamb her Lord, was awaiting His coming without fear. And while the trembling Sister, seized with astonishment, was held by exceeding dread, She dies piously, and wavered between fear and hope as to what would happen, and what end the matter would reach; that holy soul, which had always loved the light of Christ, and thirstily yearned for the presence of the Savior, freed from mortal flesh, carrying with her nothing of the miry works of the present age, departed joyfully with that very light to the immortal God, to live forever. O how happy and how praiseworthy the soul of the Virgin of Christ, to meet whom the Angels came, with the Apostles as guides, the choirs of Martyrs as companions, the Confessors as associates, the Priests as magnificent witnesses, and the company of Virgins gleaming like lilies, who presented her soul to her Creator, the Son of the Virgin!

[26] Rejoice and exult, O convent of Maubeuge, supported by the protections of so great a Mother, if you are willing to follow in her footsteps. Be glad in the Lord, having the blessed Virgin Aldegund, most beloved of God, as your intercessor for your sins, and your reconciler for your offenses. Rightly she now rejoices in the heavenly court with the choirs of Angels: she delights among the hosts of Archangels, she who, while remaining in the body on earth, strove to have her conversation in heaven. For I call Jesus, our common hope, to witness that if the raging fury of Nero, The fortitude of her soul, the cruel persecution of Diocletian, or the deceptive persuasion of Julian the Apostate, who corrupted far more by the price of gifts than he destroyed by the vexation of torments, had overtaken her; the holy and venerable Mother Aldegund would have resisted all their assaults. For she, overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, conquered diabolical temptations, mastered the blandishments of the female sex, manfully overcame worldly pleasures, retaining for herself nothing of the visible delights of the present; lest, in passing to the Lord, she should strike her foot against a stone.

[27] The most beloved Virgin of Christ, the bride of the Lord, She is buried at Cousolre: the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, was therefore buried in the estate formerly under her dominion, where she had given back her soul to her Creator, called Cousolre: where both her parents are said to be entombed. After this, by the illustrious King Sigebert and the most blessed Virgin Aldetrudis the Abbess, her body was translated to the municipality of Maubeuge, She is transferred to Maubeuge: which she herself, as we have found in the title of the documents, had built from the foundation: where her memory flourishes, shines with great miracles, and blooms with remarkable prodigies. And that place is filled with a flock of maidens and replete with a great number of others serving God: where there is frequent healing of the sick, enlightenment of the blind, leaping of the lame, restoration of weakened limbs, She is renowned for miracles, and remission for the faithful praying for their sins, through the intercession of the most blessed and most excellent Virgin: whom we beseech to deign to intercede on behalf of us, who have supplied these additions, before our Lord Jesus Christ, her Bridegroom: to whom with the Father and the Holy Spirit is immortal honor, equal majesty, eternal glory, incomparable power, and ineffable praise, now and forever and ever, Amen.

ANOTHER LIFE

By Hucbald, Monk of Elnone, from ancient manuscripts and Surius.

Aldegund, Virgin at Maubeuge in Belgium (S.)

BHL Number: 0247

By Hucbald the Monk, from manuscripts.

DEDICATION OF THE AUTHOR.

[1] Not unmindful of you, not ungrateful for so admirable offices of your diligence toward me, I have complied with your will: if more slowly than you wished, if less aptly than was fitting; ascribe this not to my spirit, as though uncaring, but rather to the difficulty of the matter. A crude mass cannot easily be purified by a modest fire. If anyone mocks the inelegant prose, impute it to yourselves. I certainly preferred to be laughed at by some rather than to disobey you. If, however, I shall have displeased anyone because I have not only not sewn on, but even removed, the purple patches that once shone widely: let him know that I did not wish, in the manner of girls, to dress up dolls without the features of limbs, or to color lifeless images on walls; but simply to show to all for imitation the solid breast of a woman, nay, her manly spirit, full of virtues, like a lamp divinely lit. If it pleases you to transcribe, carefully (I beseech you) preserve the divisions of the Chapters. But take care to place the Preface, which indeed treats generally of the deeds of the Saints and intends to exhort all to imitate them, and especially accusing the sloth of the negligent and demonstrating that no one can be excused on the ground of ignorance, showing that the Lord working in His Saints is to be loved and glorified -- take care, I say, to place it before the Chapters, as it has been prefixed. But if this does not please even you, or those more learned to whose hearing you may chance to bring it; let the odious and inept manuscript die in your hands, or be erased, or be handed over to the fire. Whatever happens, I ask by our friendship that our name not be detected in this work.

PROLOGUE OF THE SAME AUTHOR.

[2] The compassion of divine goodness has in many ways at all times provided for human salvation, and after the fall of man, both through the words and through the examples of the just, has led the erring back to the way of truth, and both before the Law, under the Law, and under grace, has mercifully presented to the unlettered in both sexes a model of virtue to imitate. The Saints, like stars, console us in the night of this world. The Scripture of both Testaments is full, like a resplendent heaven, not only with great luminaries, namely the sun and moon, but also with lesser stars; that is, not only with the brightness of the true light, which illuminates every rational creature, and with the beauty of the universal Church, which brightens the whole world; but also with the splendor of individual Saints, who console us in the night of this world like shining stars. Whoever, therefore, by God's gift, has sound eyes, let him walk in the light of the sun and follow the footsteps of the Lord and Savior. But whoever, with weakening eyes, is less able to gaze upon so great a radiance, let him turn his gaze to the mountains, already bright with the light of the true sun, namely the holy Apostles and their successors, illuminating the whole world equally by their teaching and examples: let him follow the leaders of the faith, like rams going before the flock to the pastures of life. But if some slower person disdains the Evangelical and Apostolic teaching, which is most perilous; if he carelessly attends to the mighty deeds of the great Fathers, or their instructions, because of the weakness of his own faith, which is a sign of a badly ailing soul; let him at least, by reading or hearing the lives of the Saints who lived in recent times, recognize the grace of the Creator always working in His Saints; and recognizing it, let him grow warm in love of Him. If anyone, being delicate through the tenderness of his flesh, shrinks from imitating men, let him consider women and tender maidens who conquered the world through love of their Redeemer, and blush. Ignorance will excuse no one who could have read or heard someone reading. Where do the words of Scripture not resound? In churches they are daily recited by Lectors, delightfully sung by cantors, profitably expounded by preachers. What country, what city, what village has the special providence of the Creator not adorned with the patronage of some Saint? Everywhere particular patron Saints. Everywhere the Savior shines through His members. His name is poured out like oil: it thunders everywhere: it always rains everywhere through the Gospel, through the Apostles, through the Doctors, through the examples of the Saints. And to come from many to one, who else in the life of the blessed Virgin Aldegund is indicated as worthy of love, following, and embrace, but Christ, whom the youthful Virgin, loving Him, follows the Lamb wherever He goes by the merit of her chastity? Therefore in His praise, who, being the same in all, works great things and small and diverse things without being diverse, and dissimilar things without being dissimilar -- if we say something about the life of this Virgin, let no one shrink from the unpolished speech; but let him attend to what we strive to express.

CHAPTER I.

The birth, education, and visions of S. Aldegund.

[3] In about the six hundred and thirtieth year since the Lord's Incarnation, S. Aldegund born of noble stock, around these times when not far in succession the Pontiffs Honorius, Severinus, John, Theodore, and Martin were presiding over the Roman Apostolic See, Heraclius was ruling at Constantinople, and Dagobert, son of Clothar, who was the fourth from Clovis, whom S. Remigius baptized, was reigning in France; the Virgin Aldegund was born in the district of Hainaut from a royal line, of the father Walbert and the mother Bertilia. Her sister Waldetrudis, the elder by birth, had been lawfully joined to a rather illustrious man, Maldegarius, surnamed Vincent: who, afterwards divinely inspired and animated by the exhortation of religious men, despised the world and followed the Savior Jesus Christ with his whole heart. At that time many devout men, most zealous cultivators of the Lord's vineyard -- Amandus, Bishop of the people of Maastricht, running about like a rain-bearing cloud pouring forth on every side; Arnulf, Bishop of Metz; Autbert, Bishop of Cambrai; Eligius of Noyon; Audoenus of Rouen; Ghislain, a pilgrim coming from Athens to Gaul; and many others -- shone like bright luminaries in the Church as in the heavens, irradiating the western parts of the world, and leading many into the way of salvation both by preaching and by the example of their life.

[4] The maiden Aldegund, diligently nourished by the care of her parents, She is piously instructed: was, by the provision of divine grace, imbued with sacred letters: greatly advancing in the knowledge of these, and embracing in her soul the teachings of the Christian religion, she began to burn vehemently with love of the heavenly Bridegroom already in her very girlhood years. For her parents, although they were exalted by the proud distinction of their blood, yet mindful of the Christian name they bore, so brought up their daughter in the fear of God that even in her tender age she desired to please the Lord Christ rather than the world.

[5] Meanwhile, while she was still in the house of her parents, frequently suspended in heavenly contemplation, now waking, By divine visions now in sleep, as divine grace revealed itself to her, she began to perceive many kinds of visions: which she herself described and committed to a certain devout Abbot named Sobinus, of the monastery of Nivelles. Although certain persons, weighing less worthily what they read or hear, think these to be superfluous or not to be believed; yet to no wise person does it seem strange or incredible that a maiden serving God with her whole affection should be nourished by frequent visions of the holy Angels, whether waking or sleeping: since on the contrary any soul negligently given over to the filth of luxury is sometimes deluded by demonic illusions. Therefore, to comprehend those visions briefly, She is encouraged to contempt of the world, she heard on a certain night that inestimable riches were promised to her through a vision: which, at first thinking them earthly, she immediately recognized in spirit that heavenly ones were being promised to her. Then, caught up on high through a vision, she hears someone admonishing her to set aside perishable things so as more easily to attain heavenly ones: now she hears a voice: Seek no other bridegroom for yourself than the Son of God: Virginity, now she beholds Christ in the form of a most beautiful boy, bringing her a white robe and the palm of victory: now she is raised to the hope of heavenly things when she hears through a vision that she will be in the company of the Saints. Amid these visions she beholds the devil, burning with the torches of envy, saddened by her election: then an Angel of God exhorting her to persevere in virginity and to remove herself far from the vanity of the world. Love of heavenly things: Not inconsiderably refreshed by visions of this kind, she was advancing from day to day in the love of virtues, and to profit more by persevering, she daily saw greater things. For there appears to her a maiden, coming as it were from a journey, and affirming that she was sent by the Mother of God, that she might ask for whatever she wished. But she immediately responded eagerly that she desired what the Lord willed, and preferred that the will of Christ be fulfilled in her. She frequently saw Angels exhorting her: she saw Blessed Peter admonishing her concerning the kingdom of God. She also beholds the Lord Christ appearing to her in the form of the sun and moon, in the figure of the kingdom of God. In all revelations of this kind the prudent Virgin humbled herself more and more, drew nearer to the kingdom of God, and yearned more fervently to cleave to the heavenly Bridegroom.

[6] But if anyone desires to know such visions more fully, let him consult her Life, from which we, gleaning a few things, merely attempt to indicate a summary account of matters for those who wish to know how great is the merit of this Virgin, who was so often refreshed by Angelic consolations, according to the most orderly dispensation of the Creator, who knows how to apply to each one the suitable measure of His sweetness. She converses familiarly with the Angel. And to conclude this sequence of manifestations, the blessed Virgin Aldegund, advancing from virtue to virtue, merited to be raised by the Lord to such a height of sanctity that not only frequently in dreams or through ecstasy, but even when waking, the Angel appeared to her manifestly, offered familiar conversation about the resolution of preserving her virginity, the holy Virgin confidently inquired his name, and heard from him that his name was glorious and wonderful.

CHAPTER II.

Her resolution to preserve her virginity, opposed by her mother.

[7] She rejects her mother's blandishments urging marriage: But when the parents of the Virgin were already arranging to give her to a husband, her mother summons her daughter and exhorts her with the sweetest words not to hide her will from her. She reveals the desire of her father and of herself, that according to the dignity of her lineage, she should not refuse to accept a noble bridegroom. She displays the great number of the household, the extent of the estates, the farms, the abundance of possessions, the treasures overflowing with wealth, and presents to her, coaxing her, the riches, nobility, and beauty of a certain youth. With blandishments of this kind the mother presses on, trying to bend the spirit of her daughter to her will. Therefore Aldegund, honest in character, gentle in speech, frequent in divine reading and assiduous in meditation on Holy Scripture, could no longer conceal, having seized this opportunity, what Bridegroom she had chosen, whom she bore in the love of her heart, namely the Lord Christ, whom she had come to know by reading, to whom she had already wholly devoted herself. What, she said, O lady mother, dearest mother, why do you flatter me? Why do you burden my spirit with so many persuasive words? I shall no longer hide my will from you; I shall disclose the desire long since conceived in my heart. You mention to me some poor bridegroom I do not know; but I long for such and so rich a Bridegroom, whose estates are heaven She desires Christ as her Bridegroom: and earth and sea, whose farms shall never fail, whose riches always increase and never diminish. If you can, mother, obtain such a Bridegroom for me; not a sinful, wanton man, soon to die. Hearing this, the mother, although she could not move the Virgin's mind from her constancy, nevertheless with womanly importunity frequently repeated, admonishing her daughter about the prospect of marriage. But to what end? She was pouring forth words in vain: she was beating in vain against the maiden's mind, founded in Christ, like a tower that would not fall: the Lord Christ, beautiful in form above the sons of men, Him she had loved, Him she hungered for and thirsted, Him she thirsted for and hungered. She bore a merciful spirit toward the poor, she continually nourished her mind on divine readings: She flourishes in virtues: most prudent in responding, mild to all, humble among the noble, as though equal to her juniors: so devoted to abstinence in the sparing use of food and drink that none of her companions could compare with her.

[8] But while the spirit of the tender Virgin was continually wearied by her mother's blandishments, that she should satisfy the will of her parents regarding the acceptance of a bridegroom; in which matter not to obey seemed unfitting, but in obeying to love them more than the Lord Christ she considered most ruinous; the providence of divine mercy freed her from this kind of temptation in the following way. Her sister, mentioned above, She is invited to Mons by S. Waldetrudis, Blessed Waldetrudis, for the love of holy religion, had already by mutual consent separated from her husband: and while he was living religiously in the monastery called Hautmont, she had built a convent of nuns, on the advice of the venerable man Ghislain, on the hill called Castrilocus: and there, with other handmaids of God, she sweetly nourished her soul with heavenly contemplation. She had received the sacred veil, that is, the habit of religion, from the hand of Blessed Autbert, Bishop of the Churches of Arras and Cambrai, who at that time, among other Priests of God then flourishing, was keeping watch over the Lord's flock with no small diligence. Therefore, by divine inspiration, the handmaid of God Waldetrudis, mindful of her dearest sister Aldegund, and greatly fearing lest she be bound by the chain of carnal love, and desiring with her whole heart to have her as a companion in the habit of holy life, and to take charge of the Sisters of that congregation, sent a letter to their mother, requesting with entreaty that her sister be sent to her, saying that she wished her to remain with her for some time: that no small consolation seemed to her to be afforded by her presence: and that she would send her back as soon as it pleased the mother. The mother consented and sent her daughter: and those who shared one mind of serving the Lord were also given one house in which to dwell together. Who could worthily express And is provoked to virtue by her conversations, how much edification they gained from their mutual discourse? What an example of good works they provided the other Sisters by their conduct? You would have seen in them those sisters from the Gospel, Martha and Mary, vying with each other in ministering to the Lord and Savior: but you could not easily discern which of them more preferred to sit at His feet, since both were striving for it, and unwillingly attended to external cares. Luke 10.

[9] Not much time had passed, and behold, their mother, moved by womanly anxiety lest her daughter's sister should alienate the virgin's spirit from the world and persuade her to take the sacred veil, sends to the monastery and recalls her virgin daughter to herself. Blessed Waldetrudis sends back her sister unwillingly, so as not to offend the mother; but earnestly beseeching, she exhorts her to make herself utterly estranged from the world, to prepare herself for the immortal Bridegroom, and to return to the convent as quickly as she could. Recalled, she returns to her mother: She, sadly bidding farewell to her sister, returns to her mother, who was then staying at her estate called Cousolre. Not unmindful, according to Scripture, that parents are to be honored, the maiden of good disposition showed fitting reverence to her mother, humbled herself at her feet, begged with tears that she might be given leave to dwell in the dwelling that was near the church; saying it was not fitting for her to live among men and secular women. She also mentioned to her mother how holily and devoutly her sister Waldetrudis conducted herself in the monastery, how she instructed and admonished the handmaids of Christ converted from the world, what sublime things she daily taught them about the kingdom of heaven. While the Virgin was reporting such things to her mother, She dwells separately near the church, and supposing them quite pleasing to her mother, the latter, showing them to be not only displeasing but even very burdensome, angrily threatened her with blows if she dared to speak to her of such matters any further. The wise Virgin not only endured her threats patiently, but prepared to endure beatings as well, prudently kept silent. The mother, however, bringing out the finest linens, gave them to her daughter and ordered her to prepare her bridal garments from them; planning shortly to join her in lawful marriage to a certain noble youth. The Virgin accepted the linens, entered the small dwelling next to the oratory which she had obtained from her mother, and by a pious deception fashioned vestments for the use of the baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity, and vehemently afflicting her body, day and night besought the Lord with tears, Her marriage is deferred by divine will, that she not be separated from the company of holy Virgins, nor joined to any other bridegroom than the Lord Christ. The prayers of the Virgin are heard: the marriage which the mother was preparing for her daughter within fifteen days is deferred: the young man to whom she was preparing to betroth her is hindered from coming for many days.

CHAPTER III.

Her resolution at last approved by her parents.

[10] Meanwhile the most blessed Virgin, in whose mind there now dwelt the hope of heavenly things and the rejection of all things that would perish with the world, not unmindful that the company of the wicked sometimes brings corruption to good morals, resolved to withdraw herself stealthily for a time from her mother's company; trusting in the guidance and companionship of Him whom she had chosen as her Bridegroom and Father. O happy and most praiseworthy separation of mother and daughter from each other! in which the young recruit of Christ is shown to be of great merit before God, She flees from her mother: and it is proved that the presence of the Savior is never absent from His faithful ones, as He Himself had promised. The Virgin of Christ therefore fleeing, arrived at the bank of a certain river called the Sambre, and seeing nowhere a boat by which she could be conveyed across the river, she stood at the very edge of the stream. What was she to do? Where should she turn? She saw no means anywhere open to her for crossing the river, except the unfailing refuge of the Savior, by whose petition the faithful are never disappointed. Not unmindful, therefore, that the Lord had promised His faithful that believers in Him would do the things He did and greater things than these, John 14:12, and that the sea had made itself walkable beneath the feet of the Prince of the Apostles, Matthew 14:29, and that the Apostle Paul, immersed in the waves of the sea a night and a day, had suffered no loss of life, 2 Corinthians 11:25, and that to perfect faith nothing is impossible; she fortified her body on all sides with the Sign of the Lord's Cross, She walks upon the waters, sustained on each side by Angels: and thus piously trusting in the Lord, she stepped upon the waves of the river as upon a solid path. She walks upon the waters, with Angelic spirits supporting her on the right and left, the very hems of her garments not touching the flood of the river. Nor should it seem alien to the rule of Catholic religion that holy Angels rendered service to a Virgin, since it is written that heavenly spirits are made Angels sent for the ministry of the Saints, and that holy men imitating the Angelic life are called Angels; whence John the Baptist (than whom there has not risen a greater among those born of women) merited to be, and to be called, an Angel. Psalm 91:11. Malachi 3:1. Matthew 11:10. After, therefore, the sacred Virgin stood on the farther bank of the river, she rendered thanks to the Lord, by whose grace she both was able to do and did what is repugnant to nature.

[11] Then humbly beseeching the Lord to direct her good resolution, she came to a certain place overgrown with many kinds of bushes, She dwells in the forest; which her parents had possessed by hereditary right against the most holy Gertrude, their niece: in which she built a very small chapel (having uprooted a considerable quantity of briars). Immediately the event fills the whole region round about, namely that a Virgin of such great dignity, having left the home and possessions of her father, had gone to the solitude of the wilderness, and had followed the Lord, bearing His Cross.

Thence her father learns the deed, and her illustrious mother, And both together bewail their blessed daughter For having despised them, and so sought the wilderness: And the whole company of their servants likewise bewails.

But the pious Father, reckoning in his soul that this was a change of the right hand of the Most High in his daughter, wrought by divine grace, received no small relief from his grief, The father assenting in his heart, commending to the Lord the beginning and end of his daughter's resolution.

[12] But the mother, mourning her daughter as though dead, was so afflicted with grief that she was in peril even to the separation of body and soul. But when the mercy of supreme goodness saw the kindly mother bearing the absence of her daughter beyond measure grievously, Then also the mother, who visits her, He infused into her breast the desire of seeing her daughter, whose absence she could not bear lightly. Taking therefore some companions, she hastened to visit her daughter, and with what joy the daughter exulted at her coming is not within our power to express. The daughter therefore receiving her mother, And is stirred by her to contempt of earthly things; after greetings and kisses exhibited with loving charity, admonishes and exhorts the pious mother to utterly despise earthly things, to seek heavenly ones, and to make friends for herself from the mammon of iniquity, by whom she might be received into eternal tabernacles, adding among other things: Luke 16.

It is no small praise, O mother, if you obey Christ, Spurning the harmful things of the world, and following the Lord: For to pursue what will perish is not, as I reckon, just.

The happy mother therefore, seeing that her daughter had chosen the better way for herself, what was owed to her by hereditary right she had proposed to contribute to the corruption of virginity, she now hastens to concede it to the glory of incorruption, And hands over many goods to her, to receive a hundredfold from Christ, and eternal life besides in eternal blessedness. Therefore of household servants of both sexes there is made without delay a transfer from the pious mother to the daughter; no small possession of estates and forests is handed over: and confirmation of this deed is made by testament before all. The daughter rejoices that the mother has surrendered her possessions to the Lord: the mother rejoices that the daughter did not obey her in the matter of the marital bond. Thus on both sides the mother rejoices in the daughter, and the daughter in the mother.

CHAPTER IV.

The taking of the veil. The founding of the monastery.

[13] Upon the mother's death, When her mother fell ill and despaired of life, she called her virgin daughter to her, gave her gold and silver, precious garments, estates, villas, male and female servants, and all that she possessed, except what she distributed to the poor in the present for the remedy of her soul, and what she delegated for the use of the male and female servants of God serving the Lord in monasteries. After the mother died, and was buried in the aforesaid estate of Cousolre, in the church of the holy Mother of God, by the Priests of God and other orders of ecclesiastical dignity, next to her husband; the young man Eudo, to whom the aforesaid mother had arranged to give her daughter in marriage, hearing of her death, nevertheless pressed on to take the Virgin as his wife, Aldegund flees her suitor: and ordered his followers to prepare the apparatus for the wedding. When the Virgin heard this she was greatly afraid: and fleeing by night to a wooded place called Maubeuge, she lay hidden there for some days. But when she heard that S. Amandus and the venerable Bishop Autbert had come to the monastery of Hautmont, she hastened there with great humility of heart, with bare feet, prostrated herself at their feet, opened the desire of her heart, and disclosed the contrary assaults of temptation that were rushing upon her through the snares of the devil. Then Blessed Amandus, already known to almost the whole world by the most celebrated fame of his virtues, who as a zealous laborer in the harvest of God had brought many nations round about to the Catholic faith and had built many monasteries of men and handmaidens of God, opening his mouth, eloquent with the rain of heavenly doctrine, so strengthened the maiden's weary spirit that she not only rejected the world itself, She is consecrated as a nun; but was also prepared, if there should be occasion, to undergo martyrdom for Christ the Savior. What more? She was led by the holy Bishops into a certain oratory of the same monastery, dedicated in honor and memory of S. Vedast: where, worthily consecrated by them with the priestly blessing and betrothed to her Bridegroom the Lord Jesus Christ, she received the veil and habit of sacred religion.

[14] When, therefore, the suitable blessing for this work had been begun by the Priests of Christ, it pleased the heavenly goodness to show that He is not absent where any gathering of the just is made in His name. For the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a dove while the holy Bishops were singing the due hymns at the consecration of the Virgin, and gradually lowering Himself, The Holy Spirit placing the veil upon her: He lifted up with His feet and beak the veil that was being consecrated. And lest there should be any doubt concerning the display of so great a miracle, in the sight of all who were present, He placed the veil, lifted high from the ground, upon the head of the most blessed Virgin. Which done, the dove sent from heaven immediately vanished from the eyes of the beholders. The sacred Virgin, however, ascribing what had happened not to her own merits but to those of the blessed Priests of Christ, rendered innumerable acts of thanksgiving to God, whose benefits she proclaimed herself so unworthy of.

[15] She builds a convent at Maubeuge. Blessed Aldegund therefore, having returned from Hautmont to the place where she had previously hidden, which she herself had named Maubeuge, and which was still a desert place, began most sagaciously to cultivate the site, uprooting briars and bushes by their roots, building dwellings, and gathering male and female servants of God there. Finally, after this she built a church there in honor and memory of the holy Mother of God Mary, in which she daily performed divine praises and the vows of her prayers. Then, counting the riches of this world as nothing, she lawfully distributed her estates and resources and all the ornaments which her parents had left her to the shrines of the Saints and bestowed them on the poor: that she might attain that perfection whereof the Lord says: If you wish to be perfect, go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and come, follow me. Matthew 18:21. The place where her mother and father had been buried she repaired and improved, and there she established twelve nuns to serve Christ the Lord. In the above-mentioned place of Maubeuge, by the counsel of the blessed Bishop Amandus and with the help of King Dagobert, she devoted herself together with the two daughters of her sister Blessed Waldetrudis, and with many others there gathered with her in the habit of holy religion, she remained in holy living, and left to all who beheld her an example of good works worthy of imitation. She lives there in holiness: For the handmaid of God was faithfully serving her Bridegroom in humility, in obedience, in patience, wasting her body with fasts, spending the night in vigils and prayers, long-suffering in hope, gentle to her household, modest in conversation, whether preserving the goods of the Church or distributing with kindness.

[16] She piously instructs her two nieces, She brought up in the monastery according to the Rule with great diligence her two nieces, the daughters of her sister, and from the very rudiments of infancy she carefully taught them to choose the Lord Christ as their Bridegroom. Of these, one was called Madelberta, the other Aldetrudis. Aldetrudis indeed, a maiden of good disposition, strove to imitate the character and life of her maternal aunt, and sitting incessantly at her feet, thirsted to be instructed in the teaching of life. Although she flourished in many virtues, she was especially devoted to humility and obedience. The blessed Virgin Aldegund had once commanded her to gather fragments of wax together, being careful lest even the smallest things of the monastery should be lost. The obedience of the other illustrated by a miracle. She obeyed more quickly than the command: she gathered the scattered fragments of wax, lit a fire, and placed a bronze vessel, that is, a basin full of wax, over it. But when, with the flame prevailing, the pile of wood, now consumed, collapsed, and the boiling pan, surrounded by the heat of the fire, tilted to one side, and the blaze flared up all the more from that, the young maiden, fearing lest some harm occur, armed with faith, with bare hands and outstretched arms, swiftly lifted the bubbling basin from the midst of the flames, and suffering no injury whatsoever to the skin of her flesh, set it down on the floor. So great was the merit of her who commanded and the virtue of her who obeyed that it beyond doubt availed before God.

CHAPTER V.

The virtues and miracles of Aldegund.

[17] Blessed Aldegund did not waver from her resolution, but progressing from virtue to virtue, just as she had begun from childhood, she abounded perseveringly every day in holy works. S. Aldegund from childhood generous toward the poor, For when she was still in the house of her parents, tender in age indeed but mature in heart, she mercifully distributed to the poor whatever was within her rights. If the Virgin sometimes lacked money, yet the will to give never diminished in her. Her mother Bertilia had amassed a not inconsiderable treasure of money: which, although the mother hid the place, was not hidden from her daughter; yet she took nothing from it before her death. Having survived her parents, she immediately began to distribute her mother's treasure to the poor. As time went on, when she had now become a materfamilias along with her sister, she summoned a faithful servant, brought forth silver to purchase clothing for the use of the servants and poor of Christ, ordering that if anything of the money remained, he should bring it back to her. The servant fulfilled his mistress's command: he bought a supply of clothing: She receives back intact the money expended: he brought back what remained of the money: the quantity of silver was found to be intact, as if nothing had been spent. Who can express how great the thanks they rendered to God, amazed at the immense generosity of the Creator?

[18] On a certain night also, while both sisters devoted to the Lord Christ, keeping careful vigil, were meditating on the love of the heavenly Bridegroom, the regular way of life, and the salvation of the Sisters entrusted to them by the supreme Shepherd, the candle placed before them suddenly fell and was extinguished. She miraculously relights a candle: And when they were waiting for it to be relighted by someone coming in, and there was some delay, the Virgin, a lover of light, stretched out her hand and took up the lamp; in whose hand the lamp immediately received light from heaven. By which miracle our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the true light, manifested His presence to His handmaids, whom, gathered in His name, He did not allow to suffer darkness even for a moment.

[19] Not much later, while the same sisters, beloved of the heavenly Bridegroom, were carrying out the care of the flock entrusted to them, walking through the convent and about to attend to some business, they came to the basilica of the blessed Prince of the Apostles Peter at the sixth hour of prayer. They knocked at the door: The doors of the church are opened by her prayers: the doorkeeper of the church was absent, but the doorkeeper of heaven was not absent, who immediately unlocked the closed doors of the church for His handmaids, lest they be deprived of the grace of prayer, and their spirit, stretched like a bow in divine service, be relaxed from the intention of heavenly contemplation. Then entering the house of prayer, performing the due office with more than customary devotion and with greater compunction, they returned to their quarters with cheerful minds.

[20] She is stirred by Christ to the renunciation of temporal things, But, to recall a little of what preceded, after the wise Virgin Aldegund, estranged from worldly pomps and clothed with the garments of the religious life, was again strengthened by Angelic admonitions, and gladdened by a marvelous vision in which she merited to see the Lord Jesus as a shining sun with Angels surrounding Him: mindful also of the words of Amandus, the man of God, concerning the complete contempt of temporal things and the summit of perfection; what she had already begun to fulfill in part, she now resolved to renounce completely all that she possessed, possessing nothing on earth, desiring to lay up treasure in heaven. Therefore she had the sum of her treasure written down, and of all the money she had in gold and silver, gems and royal ornaments, which had been conferred upon her by the King and Queen, Princes, kinsmen, and parents, after the veiling of her head and after the generous donations which she had distributed to the poor of Christ on the advice of the blessed Bishops Amandus and Autbert; and all these things the most prudent Virgin, loving the beauty of the house of God even in its exterior aspect, donated with a devout mind for the adornment of churches. Her estates and boundless possessions she granted by public donation for the use of those serving there under Christ the King: all the rest she delegated for the support of the poor, reserving nothing for herself except a lowly garment, fitting for the holy religious life, and daily sustenance, on which she lived in common with the other handmaids of God. But the kindness of the Lord and Savior, She gives all her possessions to churches and the poor: that He might strengthen the spirits of His handmaids in their faith, did not delay to show how pleasing to Him was the contempt of passing things for the love of His name. For on that very day when the handmaid of God had completed so glorious a work of her generosity, as evening fell, while at her command the servants were bringing her water from the spring to drink, He who bestowed wine from water to the wedding guests at Cana of Galilee, Water is changed into wine for her: Himself changed the water of the spring, for the refreshment of His bride, into the taste of wonderful wine. When this event had become known to all the handmaids of God in the monastery, so great a love of the Lord Christ inflamed their minds that, out of regard for His love, none of them henceforth cared to possess anything earthly.

[21] It happened at one time that one of the handmaids filled a small pitcher with water, with which the holy Virgin was to wash her hands. In the intervening delay, the pitcher was emptied for other uses, without the knowledge of her who had filled it. And when she was about to pour the water on her hands and found the pitcher empty, The pitcher is divinely refilled with water: she wished, trembling, to run back to the spring, but suddenly felt the pitcher filled with water. When this sign was made known to all in the convent, they marveled at the merit of the Virgin, and praises were rendered to the Lord Jesus by all.

[22] On a certain day, the Virgin's fisherman brought her a fish still alive: which she, out of her zeal for charity, reserving more for the use of the servants of God who might arrive than for her own, ordered to be cast into the nearby spring. But when it was sometime swimming near the bank, it leapt into the air and, landing on dry ground, began to flap about on the dry land.

The crows fly in from nearby, croaking, Wishing to tear the fish with talons and beaks. A lamb defends the fish against the crows:

Marvelous to tell, and unaccustomed to see: Nearby a lamb was grazing, which, smaller than the other sheep, swiftly ran up, snatched the fish from those devouring it, and fighting back with horns and hooves and the whole effort of its body, drove the crows away. At which the Sisters, watching the strange battle from the monastery, came running, found the fish unharmed, and brought it back to the handmaid of God Aldegund, not without great wonder. But the same lamb, defender of the fish, followed those carrying it for so long until the fish was presented in the presence of the Virgin Abbess.

[23] At a certain time the Sisters of the monastery had lit a fire, A nun is not harmed by the fire and boiling water: and, as was their custom, had hung a cauldron of water over the fire for washing garments. One of them, wearing the tunic of the blessed Virgin Aldegund, was standing by the coals: the pot was boiling with a surging flame, when behold, the ancient serpent, envying the humble service of the handmaids of Christ, cast the one standing near the fire into the blaze, and poured the boiling water upon her. But as she fell, she invoked the name of the Holy Trinity. The handmaids of God hastened and ran up, drew her from the midst of the flames, and she whom they feared had been dissolved limb from limb by the heat of the fire they found unharmed, by the intercession of the prayers and merits of the blessed Virgin.

CHAPTER VI.

Visions. Prophecy. Illness.

[24] She is taught by an Angel not to heed detractors: Among other benefits of divine consolation which the grace of the Lord and Savior bestowed upon this Virgin, this is worthy of no small wonder, that He did not allow her to be afflicted by any sadness for long, often comforting her familiarly with Angelic visitation. This can easily be inferred even from small matters. For she had once heard a word of detraction spoken about herself by certain perverse and idle persons, whose worst habit is always to disparage their betters. And when the Virgin's spirit, as is the case with human frailty, was somewhat tormented by this, the Angel is present, consoling her as usual and soothing her with sweet words: Why, he said, O sweetest Virgin, bride of the Lord Jesus Christ, why are you saddened by the words of the idle and envious, when a seat in the heavenly kingdom is prepared for you; but for them, unless they repent, eternal punishment and infernal pains are reserved? The Virgin, refreshed by such words, no longer heeded the vanities of her critics.

[25] After this, as is found more fully in the Life of Blessed Ghislain, when on the Lord's night Blessed Amandus, full of days, She sees S. Amandus going gloriously into heaven: was departing like ripe grain to be stored in the heavenly barn, having laid aside the chaff of the flesh; at that very hour, Blessed Aldegund was humbly engaged in vigils and hymns in the church of the convent of Maubeuge, before the altar of the glorious Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, Mary. And since she had loved him greatly in this life, inasmuch as she had been taught by his doctrine to ascend the heights of virtue, the grace of the Lord and Savior revealed to her both what merits he possessed whom she had received as her exhorter, and that she herself would shortly follow where that guide had preceded. For while praying, raised up in ecstasy of mind, she contemplated an elderly man, venerable with white hair, clothed in priestly and magnificent vestments, holding a staff in his hand, passing to the heights above, and a copious multitude of those clothed in white going before and after him on the journey: the holy Virgin herself also rejoiced to be hastening at the same time in that company. And when, being asked who that leader of so glorious a multitude was, she replied that she did not know, the Angel said: Amandus, beloved of God, has departed from this world, and since in his life he took care to keep himself without stain by the grace of God, and faithfully dispensing the talents committed to him doubled them, he now ascends so gloriously to the joys of his Lord with the holy souls which he won for the Lord by word and example. The most prudent Virgin, revealing this vision to none of her companions on that day, sent word to Blessed Ghislain to deign to come to her, along with her sister the blessed Waldetrudis, for the sake of the vision: and when they came to the place called Meruius, she hastened to go out to meet them. And when she had disclosed her vision to Blessed Ghislain among other conversations about salvation, She learns from him, with S. Ghislain explaining, that she will shortly follow: the man of God, understanding what that vision foreshadowed, sighed deeply; O dearest sister, he said, beloved and devout bride of the eternal King, our Lord Jesus Christ, give thanks without ceasing to the divine condescension, which has shown you both the already accomplished passage to heaven of the sweetest pastor, and your own which is to come shortly. Wherefore, since you have already tasted the sweetness and savor of the heavenly homeland, the Lord revealing it, it is necessary that you persevere with all earnestness in His service, until you merit to attain those things which He has promised to those who love Him.

[26] Blessed Aldegund also at one time saw in a vision, the Lord showing her, the enemy of the human race greatly saddened: She sees the devil saddened; and questioning him carefully, she asked what was his great malice against the human race? What profit did he expect would come to him, while he did not cease to drive so many thousands of men to hell? To whom the evil one replied that he was tormented by the pain of no small envy against the sons of Adam, who daily ascended to the place from which he, wretched, was exiled with his own.

[27] Most zealous for the divine law, incessantly hungering to be fed with the heavenly word, Together with S. Humbert she elicits a spring by prayer: and desiring to imitate the life of holy and religious men, the prudent Virgin had visited Blessed Humbert dwelling at Maroilles, a man magnificent in holiness, illuminated by the knowledge of divine Scripture, bearing on his crown the sign of the Cross impressed by an Angel: having feasted for some days on the nourishment of the divine word from the eloquence of his mouth, she was on one occasion walking with him around the vicinity of the monastery: but when the heat of the day was burning and she was nearly failing from thirst, while the man of God prayed together with the Virgin, a new fresh spring immediately gushed forth from the earth: the Virgin is refreshed, and the spring does not fail even to the present. Blessed Humbert, moreover, knowing in advance the day of his death, She foreknows his death: requested from the Virgin herself linen garments for the use of his funeral rites: and while she was sending them to be delivered, another messenger, sent by the Virgin, prescient of the future, met the envoy of the blessed man in the middle of the journey with the garments requested.

[28] Blessed Aldegund therefore, who had chosen the Lord and Savior as her Bridegroom, comforted by the frequent visions of Angels, who very often addressed her familiarly in many ways, recognizing her as a fellow-servant and fellow-citizen, knowing in advance from the revelation of the Holy Spirit that the day of her falling asleep was drawing near, besought the Lord that He who still sanctifies the holy and still justifies the just, and who chastises every son whom He receives, might deign to purge His handmaid in the present life, She asks God to be purged in this life: by scourging her flesh, so that her soul, after this life, might be able to enter without stain into the rest of her Lord. For she knew that no one in this life is so perfect as to be entirely free from the contamination of all sin. The divine goodness did not delay to grant mercifully what she asked humbly. For on the right breast, She suffers from cancer: not much later, a disease called cancer arose, which, tormenting her flesh, consumed her until the last day of her life. The prudent Virgin, however, after the example of Blessed Job and other Saints, bore it patiently, and as though rejoicing at a gift divinely bestowed, wisely gave thanks to the heavenly condescension.

[29] When the Angel had forewarned that the time of her dissolution was at hand, and on the predicted day no bodily distress was wearying her, the Angel appearing to her again, she began to ask him why she was being kept from the kingdom prepared for her. To whom he said: She learns the day of her death from the Angel: Know that the holy Angels have obtained this for you from the Lord, that you may still have a span of temporal life for the perfecting of your virtues. But when she was at one time suffering from a tertian fever, after a week had passed, around the middle of the night, the devil sending it, so great an ardor of thirst invaded her that unless she drank at once she seemed about to expire. And when, struggling manfully, she wished to abstain from drink, and supposed it to be the force of the fever, She is tortured by thirst: not the temptation of the enemy, she took refuge in prayer. And behold, before dawn she sees the ancient enemy, with his foul and horrible face, standing beside her, who was compelled to confess that he had sent upon her that burning thirst: and the blasphemer added, telling the blessed Virgin that there still remained for her a hard and narrow way, and that it was uncertain whether she would persevere in the service of God. She repels the wiles of the devil: To whom the Virgin said steadfastly: The Lord is my helper; I do not fear your threats. Immediately Satan fled in confusion, and the thirst departed from her. After the diabolical temptation, divine consolation is manifoldly present. For she sees in a vision as though she were asking perseverance in His love from the Lord, and as though the Lord Himself, appearing to her as a Priest, was graciously granting what she asked. She is refreshed by a heavenly vision. She also sees Blessed Peter the Apostle, bringing her a white loaf, and receiving it from his hand with immense joy. Her sister also heard from heaven in her sleep both that her own repentance was accepted by the Lord, and that her sister the Virgin Aldegund had merited Christ as her Bridegroom.

CHAPTER VII.

Death, and miracles at her death.

[30] Christ appears to her; Meanwhile, while the Virgin's mind was constantly nourished by visions of this kind, and was elevated to the contemplation of heavenly things, a small child was brought to her whose life was already despaired of by his family: whom she immediately ordered to be cast down before the corner of the altar. When this was done, he was instantly restored to health. And when the sudden health of the infant was reported to the Virgin, she remembered her vision, and perceived that this had happened because he had touched the place where she had seen the Lord pass a few days before. What could she do but give thanks to God? and this confirmed by a miracle, and by other visions: For not long before, she had seen, as if she were standing in the courtyard, something like a fiery globe coming upon her from heaven. On the fourth day after this, at midnight on the Lord's day, when she was entering the church for the vigils, one of the Sisters who had gone out perceived the courtyard, in which the vision had previously appeared, shining with an extraordinary light, although at that hour darkness covered the whole earth. When morning came, as the Sisters conversed about this and marveled, the blessed Virgin understood the cause of so great a splendor, yet she revealed it to none of them at that time. Not long after, another witness of these visions came forward, affirming to her that he had seen our Lord Jesus Christ with a host of Angels conversing with the Virgin herself before the corner of the altar. Inquiring of the man about the hour of the vision, she recognized it to be the very hour at which she had seen the Lord in the vision. On the fourth day after this, the boy was healed, as was said above.

[31] A certain priest of good repute had lived blamelessly in the monastery from boyhood to mature age: by heavenly light, who used to relate that at night he had seen a fiery globe descend from heaven upon the dwelling in which the handmaid of Christ lay ill. After the nocturnal hymns, one of the more mature handmaids of God, tasting a little sleep, sees Blessed Aldegund standing before the altar in the place of the Priest, having broken the body of the Lord in the chalice, and having said to her: Go now, tell the Priest and her death foreshown by another vision: to consecrate the mysteries of the Lord Christ in this chalice: and since yesterday, because of the weakness of my body, I was unable to receive communion, today let me become a partaker of the body and blood of the Lord. When day came, the Priest came forward, celebrated Mass, and during the action he sees the chalice lifted into the air and immediately settle back in its place. Then the aforesaid handmaid of God reported the vision she had seen, and the Priest reported concerning the chalice suspended in the air, and both accounts were brought to the bride of Christ, with the certainty that these visions foretold her death.

[32] Among other signs of power which the might of the Savior wrought through His beloved handmaid, a madman cured by her: a certain man, seized in his mind, whether on account of his own sins or so that the faith of the Virgin might be made manifest, was brought nearly to the point of death through the madness of his head. And when his parents despaired of his life, they brought him to the convent of nuns, reporting to the blessed Virgin with groaning what the wretched man was suffering. But she, grieving in her bowels of piety for the poor wretch, had him brought to her in the evening time. She prayed for him, and having made the sign of the Cross over him, ordered him to return home. He soon recovered and was restored to health. On the fifth day before the death of the blessed Virgin, her sister sees her being led to heaven by the Blessed Virgin Mary: her sister, the handmaid of our Lord Jesus Christ, Waldetrudis, elevated by the contemplation of heavenly things, sees in a vision the glorious Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ coming with throngs of Saints, and leading her sister the Virgin Aldegund with her to the heights.

[33] Also in the monastery of Nivelles, where S. Gertrude rests in body, her death shown in advance to another: a certain nun of exceeding simplicity and obedience, perfectly converted from the love of the world to the love of our Lord Jesus Christ before His tribunal, on the Friday before the Saturday and the falling asleep of the handmaid of God Aldegund, around midnight, saw in a vision an immense splendor of light entering the church of Blessed Peter, where the aforesaid Blessed Gertrude is entombed, so that from the pavement up to the rafters it illuminated the entire building, as if the noonday sun were shining. While, astonished by the vision of such great brightness, she was overcome with fear, she heard choirs of singers, so that she could distinguish the voices of men and women, girls and boys, singing in alternation with one another.

[34] light shining above the buildings, she dies: Now on the third night before her departure from the body, on the occasion of a visit, with many religious persons gathered together and the Virgin's own sister, Blessed Waldetrudis, behold an immense radiance shining with extraordinary brightness appeared above the house in which the Virgin, bride of the Lord Christ, was awaiting His coming without fear. And while those present marveled at the unwonted vision, and Blessed Waldetrudis, wavering between hope and fear as to what it might portend, tremblingly awaited the outcome, that holy soul, which had loved the true light, the Lord Christ, and had thirsted for His presence, freed from the flesh, departed from this world with that very light. She was buried in the village formerly of her own domain, called Cousolre: where both her parents, and afterward her sister Waldetrudis, were buried. There she lay for a long time, she is buried: until by the gift of Christ her body was translated to the town of Maubeuge, which she herself had built from the foundations, she is translated to Maubeuge, where her memory now shines, and by the intercession of her merits, the divine clemency deigns to bestow very many benefits upon those who ask.

[35] Behold, among the other deeds of the Saints, whoever piously reads or hears, here too you have something to imitate. A hortatory epilogue urging imitation. While still of girlish age she despised earthly things and desired heavenly ones. The concupiscence of the flesh she tamed by love of virginity. The concupiscence of the eyes, that is, curiosity, she restrained by meditation on divine reading. The ambition of life, that is, pride, she trampled by humility. She despised a mortal spouse and chose an immortal one. Though she had riches, she did not hope in the treasures of money: but prudently distributing all things to the needy, she embraced poverty. She found a treasure in the field, hid it, and selling all things for joy of it, purchased it. A pious merchant, she sought fine pearls, found one of great price, bought it, and possessed it. She dreaded the darkness, loved the light, departed with the light, and shall have the light of everlasting life. Therefore imitate what you read: live as she lived: walk where she walked: and without doubt you shall arrive where she arrived; with the helping grace of the Creator, who mercifully works in His Saints, who gives power and strength to His people, blessed be God forever, Amen.

c. Others: hidden.

ANOTHER LIFE

By an anonymous author, from the manuscript of Ghislenian.

Aldegondis, Virgin at Maubeuge in Belgium (S.)

BHL Number: 0248

By an Anonymous Author, from manuscripts.

CHAPTER I.

The birth of S. Aldegund, her illustrious character.

[1] After the Mediator of God and men, Christ Jesus, having trampled the King of death, ascended above the west, and sitting at the right hand of the Father, bestowed the gifts of sevenfold grace upon those who share in Him; because their sound went forth into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. Rom. 10:18. For the name of our God, which the synagogue kept closed within itself, The Church is adorned with the various virtues of the Saints, sweeter than honey and the honeycomb, the Church received in the fullness of faith. From Jerusalem even to Illyricum, the Apostolic voice ran its course, and leaping across the Adriatic bays it reached Italy. At its coming, Rome, the head of kingdoms, turned pale, so that afterward, believing, she would say: My soul troubled me because of the chariots of Aminadab. Song of Songs 6:11. The mountains of Israel also, spreading out their branches and bearing fruit, planted the vineyard of the just above the streams of water, that is, the hearts of believing peoples, irrigated by the crimson blood of Martyrs, glorified by the integrity of Virgins, founded upon the confession of Priests. And so, while the King was at His repose, the nard of holy Mother Church gave its fragrance. By this fragrance, the smoke of the stench of idolatry, gradually melted, vanished, and the hissing wisdom of the world submitted its proud neck. For God made foolish the wisdom of this world, so that through the foolishness of preaching He might save those who believe.

[2] Over this enterprise, the seventy-third after Peter, the holy Severinus presided: who, as the Catalogue of the Apostolic Saints attests, was holy, kind above all men, a lover of the poor; generous, most gentle. And the throne of the Roman citadel was upheld by the manly arm of Heracleonas with his mother Martina. While the Christian religion flourished among the Gauls, Beyond the Alps, therefore, among us, the glorious Dagobert, King of the Franks, administered the monarchy of royal power; he gave the laws of life to the chief men of the Franks according to the observance of the Christian religion. Nor was the promotion of ecclesiastical vigor lacking to the royal council, namely the frequent solicitude of holy Bishops: among whom S. Autbert, Bishop of the See of Cambrai, flourished, an eminent man, excelling above all, like the morning star among the lesser stars. To this great company was not lacking a military attendance, well enough subjected to the Christian worship: which was adorned by the chief Prince, the Mayor of the Palace, an eminent soldier, named Walbert. S. Aldegund is born of illustrious parents: The Palatine Nobles venerated him as a Prince, the Princes as their Mayor, the royal majesty as a faithful servant. For he was a worshipper of the Christian religion, a generous lover of the poor of Christ, a pious consoler of all who mourned: he abounded in riches and honors, namely one to whom a manifold and almost indescribable inheritance from his parents furnished supply. Thus preeminent, he received from a royal line a renowned wife, named Bertilia.

[3] From such a marriage, with God, as we believe, blessing it, a little girl was born, named Aldegund after the baptism of the sacred font. She, having passed beyond the bounds of infancy and reaching the years of childhood, gradually began to show outwardly what she would be inwardly. Grave from childhood, the modest gravity of mind adorned the beauty of her face, so that neither haughtiness could be noticed, nor simple and playful childhood be blamed. Beyond the rest of her siblings, she was more sweetly loved by her parents, and praised by all who could know or see her. She was handed over to the instruction of teachers of every kind; she is imbued with letters, as befitted a Virgin born of noble birth. And, so that the jar, once newly filled, might long preserve the fragrance, she was formed by her mother's manners, lest, as often happens, she be puffed up by her studies. For her mother passed over no branch of knowledge with which she did not instruct her daughter, either by herself or through the efforts of teachers.

In manifold form, with manifold rule as well, Letters are shown; what they conceal when closed is opened. Thence may the girlish mind become spiritual, Not thinking all things good, but rejecting all that is harmful.

Abundantly instructed in these and very many other studies, as befits a royal virgin, she advanced in wisdom and age before God and men, following in the footsteps of her Redeemer.

[4] Therefore, when the teachable girl had grown into her youthful years, arriving at the fork of the Pythagorean letter, As a marriageable girl she is celebrated in courtly conversations: she did not wish to go out to the left to feed the goats; but leaning upon her beloved, and placing him as a seal upon her heart, she chose on the right the best part, which shall not be taken from her. Her name becomes celebrated among all the courtiers: hence both the powerful and the powerless alternately speak among themselves of the form, beauty, manners, and virtue of the Virgin Aldegund. For the modesty of her mind so adorned the beauty of her body that it is rightly said of her: How beautiful are your steps in sandals, O daughter of a Prince! Song of Songs 7:1. But the most prudent Virgin, despising the world together with its Prince, gave herself entirely to Christ. She cleaves to Christ and cultivates virtue. Hungering she thirsted for Him, and thirsting she hungered. She was virtuous in character, sweet in speech, merciful to the poor, swift in reading, prudent in replies, gentle to all, humble among the nobles, equal to the younger ones, so accustomed to abstinence in the sparing use of food and drink that none of her companions was her equal.

CHAPTER II.

Marriage spurned. Withdrawal.

[5] Therefore, when the parents considered that the time of marriage was now pressing upon the Virgin; the mother calls her daughter, To her mother urging marriage, and with very sweet words exhorts her that the daughter should not hide from her what she bears in her heart. She coaxes her daughter to assent to her mother, to be joined to a husband: she declares herself ready to persuade the father, that by his consent, together with their friends, the nuptials might be celebrated, and she be joined to the most noble Eudo, King of the English, a most handsome young man. Having heard these and other such words, she declares her resolve to preserve her virginity: the Virgin of God, Aldegund, seizing the occasion, and -- what is more to be believed -- inspired by the divine Spirit, immediately responded with what she had long before conceived in her heart:

What I bear in my heart, what is my resolve, I shall say. He shall be my spouse who seeks me, not estates; Who wants nothing from you, who delights in virginity, Who reigns among the heavenly, and governs all with His dominion. Born of a Virgin mother, seek for me, mother, a husband; Not a corrupter, not one who counsels fault.

[6] Hearing this, her venerable mother Bertilia, although she could not move the Virgin's mind from its constancy, linens given by her mother for making garments she sews instead for sacred uses: nevertheless ordered her to sew, as it were, changes of garments for a future husband, wishing to know how she would behave in the matter. But the Virgin of God, Aldegund, chaste in mind and body, inflamed with divine love, sewed baptismal garments with which infants might be clothed after baptism, and stored them in a chest. This matter was not hidden from her mother, but, greatly exasperated, she began to threaten the blows of whips with harsh words. When Christ's young recruit had perceived this through the whispering of the attendants among themselves, having seized the opportunity to do what she had proposed, she slipped away in flight. Glorious is God in His Saints, wonderful in His majesty. Truly wonderful, He who works great things in the least. But what do we presume about the Almighty, that we say He works in the least? Is heaven, earth, the sea, among the least? Are the sun, moon, and stars of the world among the least? God subjected all things to the first man created: and he who had been set by God over all creation was made the least of all through the fault of disobedience. But by the wisdom of God he is reformed and set above the Angels, who by his own folly had been inclined toward demons. And so God works great things in the least. Jeremiah marvels and cries out: O Israel, how great is the house of God, and how vast is the place of His possession! Baruch 3:24. He is great and has no end, great and exalted: by divine impulse she flees: great in wisdom, exalted in strength; in wisdom, by which He reaches from end to end; in strength, by which He orders all things mightily and sweetly. Reaching therefore and ordering the mind of the Virgin, He admonished her to flee, not the blows, but the words of her mother. Evil communications corrupt good morals. O happy flight, through which both the merit of the Virgin and the wondrous work of the Creator are made manifest!

[7] The holy Virgin in flight came to the river which is called the Sambre, terrifying with its exposed banks and deadly with its deep whirlpools. Its swells and waves are so deadly not only to swimmers, she walks upon the waters, by the ministry of Angels: but even to those in boats, that we know a certain fisherman's son, also a friend of ours, recently married to a betrothed wife, to have been drowned in our own time. Arriving at the banks of this river, she did not fear to enter the watery waves, she who in her own body had overcome by faith the Babylonian tempests. Fortified on every side by the sign of the holy Cross, she walked upon the waves, fearing nothing. You would have seen angelic spirits supporting the Virgin on the right and on the left; so that the flooding river did not touch even the outermost fringes of her garments. Nor let it seem incredible to the Catholic religion that we say Angels attended the Virgin; since it is written, the Apostle saying: Angels are ministering spirits, sent to minister on behalf of those who shall inherit eternal salvation. Heb. 1:14. And in the Apocalypse, the Angel forbids the Disciple who wishes to worship him: See that you do not do it, for I am your fellow servant. Apoc. 22:9. she builds a little church in a grove: Carried across the river Sambre by such sailors and such ships, the Virgin of Christ at length arrived on dry land, rejoicing. Thence, coming to a certain wooded place, which her father and mother had divided by lot as a hereditary right in opposition to S. Gertrude their niece, she halted: and there, having uprooted the brambles, she built a little church in honor of S. Peter, Prince of the Apostles.

The fame of the deed strikes all the neighboring places. They proclaim everywhere that Bertilia's daughter is a hermit. The father himself heard, the mother Bertilia perceived That her offspring had slipped away in flight and followed the Lord. But the father himself had believed this would happen long before, While with a prophetic mind he observed the girl, Her chaste words, her eyes, her steps, her morals; And he kept pondering that she would become what now she was.

But the mother Bertilia could be relieved by no consolation: but as soon as the report reached her ears, she is visited by her mother, her body grew rigid at the sinister rumor: her loving voice stuck in her throat. But when she recovered and her voice was restored, a cry went up to heaven, and womanly wailing. The mother weeps for her daughter, the attendants for their mistress, the relatives for their kinswoman. Yet the Lord, looking down from His holy height, who looks upon the earth and makes it tremble, shook the mind of Bertilia. Taking companions, she goes to visit her daughter, so that what she would have conferred upon her to the harm of perdition, she might confer to the glory of immortality.

An epilogue is written: servants, male and female, are listed; There were more than a thousand. Estates and forests are transferred. The daughter becomes a mother: but she who just now was a mother, Soon in the reverse becomes a daughter by blessed right.

Hail, festive and most celebrated day, on which the mother Bertilia saw again her daughter Aldegund.

CHAPTER III.

The monastery of Maubeuge founded.

[9] Called to the religious life by S. Waldetrudis, Now the same Virgin of Christ, Aldegund, had a sister named Waldetrudis: who had been joined to the illustrious man Madelgar, surnamed Vincent, who, inflamed by the ardor of divine love, together with his wife set aside worldly things and followed Christ. Blessed Vincent, seeking the monastery called Hautmont, is said to have led a religious life there. But his wife, burning with the same spirit, receiving the sacred veil from the hand of S. Autbert, Bishop of the Church of Cambrai, or Arras, gave herself to the monastery which she had built in the place called Castrilocus: which is so called because the Roman army had once pitched camp there. After Blessed Waldetrudis had committed herself to the contemplative life, she sent word by letters to her mother Bertilia, beseeching that her sister Aldegund be sent to her; she would be consoled, and would return as quickly as possible. Hearing this, Bertilia immediately gave her assent, directing her daughter to console her sister. There is no doubt that this was done by the working of the Holy Spirit, so that those who shared one mind of pleasing God might also share a common devotion. For it is written: Iron sharpens iron, and a man sharpens the face of his friend. Prov. 27:17. Thus both sisters, shining with the lamp of virtues, she is summoned: provided guidance to all who beheld them, that they might merit to arrive with them at the eternal light, our Lord Jesus Christ. For it was also the desire of Blessed Waldetrudis that her sister, the Virgin of Christ Aldegund, should receive the sacred veil, and have the care of the Sisters living with her.

[10] Understanding this, the Virgin of God pondered in her mind, since he who labors more will receive more reward; she builds the monastery of Maubeuge: and from him to whom more is committed, more is required; she returned to the place pre-chosen for her by God. Where thereafter, to enlarge the army in the divine worship, she built a very venerable monastery in honor of the holy Mother of God and perpetual Virgin Mary, and of all the holy Apostles, and destined herself to serve God there in perpetuity. Since this could not be accomplished by her own authority, she sought the Bishop of the See of Cambrai, namely Saint Autbert: to whom she took care to intimate her purpose as piously as devoutly. That blessed Bishop, at that time residing in the aforementioned monastery of Hautmont, was mercifully nurturing S. Ansbert, Archbishop of Rouen, who had been relegated in exile there by the command of Pippin, Prince of the Franks, in his prison and chains, knowing that it is written: If we suffer together, we shall also reign together. 2 Tim. 2:12. The holy Bishop, hearing the Virgin's resolve, was filled with inexpressible joy, since from the sweat of his labor he was now gathering sheaves of recompense. she is ordained a nun by S. Autbert, He entered to sow wisely the seed of the word of God into good soil, which would without doubt bear a hundredfold fruit in its season. Thus the venerable Virgin, forewarned by the blessed Bishop not to be deceived by the phantasms of the world, received the sacred veil in that very monastery of Hautmont, but devoted herself to the divine worship in the monastery of Maubeuge.

[11] Nor should it be passed over in silence how pleasing and acceptable to God was the devotion of the holy Virgin, or what the piety of the merciful God wished to declare at her consecration. For as is found in the deeds and sayings of the ancients, while the sacred veil was being blessed by the Bishop, a dove placing the blessed veil upon her head, a dove, flying from heaven, halted in the air; then gradually lowering itself, it lifted it from the ground with its feet and beak. And lest there be any doubt about the miracle, in the sight of all it placed it upon the head of the holy Virgin, and so departed. O glorious Virgin, to be proclaimed by all the wise, to be venerated by all who fear God! She crossed the channel of the river without a boat, and received the habit of sacred religion with the Holy Spirit ministering. While she was living in her father's house, on a certain night she heard in a vision that inestimable riches were promised to her. But the Virgin of Christ at first supposed that earthly things were being promised to her, but soon recognized in the spirit that heavenly things were owed to her. Having therefore received from the Bishop the blessing she had sought, she joyfully entered the former place, to put an end to the work she had begun. When the monastery had been built and the cloisters befitting monastic religion decently arranged, she conferred upon it, by the counsel of the man of God, many gifts for the support of those serving there.

[12] The holy Bishop, rejoicing at these labors of the blessed Virgin, The monastery of Maubeuge is dedicated by Bishops, dedicated the monastery in honor of the holy Mother of God and perpetual Virgin Mary, and of the holy Apostles, having associated with himself the holy Confessors of Christ and Bishops Amandus, Audoen of Rouen, as well as Ursmar, Ermin, Humbert, Etton, and Eloquius; with all these and very many others associated with him, and fulfilling the office of the holy ministry, the holy man confirmed that place with its dependencies by Catholic and Apostolic authority. The precept of that authority and confirmation we pass over lest it weary the reader. But since we have described the monastery of Maubeuge, let us tell how it was distinguished by the body of the holy memory of Ablebert, Bishop of Cambrai, as is found in the deeds of the Bishops. For it is written thus: After Bertoald, Blessed Ablebert succeeded: who, thus named in the catalogue of Bishops, is called Emebert by the inhabitants and neighbors. When the day of his calling came upon him, he died and departed from the world in the village which the inhabitants of the place call Ham: and there he was buried. Afterward he was carried to Martinas, and later translated to Maubeuge, and there, now resting, he awaits the day of the blessed resurrection. But if anyone desires to know the life, lineage, and homeland of this holy man, let him turn to the book from which we have taken these things; but let us return to our subject.

CHAPTER IV.

Miracles. Visions. Illness.

[13] When the holy place had been dedicated and consecrated, each one returned to his own; the blessed Virgin remained in her own. And truly in her own place she lamented there with the Prophet: This is my rest forever: here I will dwell, because I have chosen it. Psalm 131:14. In order to show that she venerated the holy Trinity, three persons in one indivisible substance, she also undertook to build a third parish church, which she caused to be consecrated in the honor and commemoration of S. Quentin the Martyr, in the twentieth year of Dagobert, King of the Franks. Seeking from every quarter to adopt for herself the standard of holiness, as well as the form of religious dwelling, she visited the habitations of the servants of God placed round about. She went therefore to the eminent man Humbert, who was residing in her vicinity, because the report of his holiness had reached even to her. She visits S. Humbert at Maroilles: On a certain day, having set out for that same man of God, seeing one another and honoring each other with mutual greeting, they rested for a little while. After many conversations concerning the salutary life, the Virgin of Christ said to Blessed Humbert: I wish, most holy Father, to survey this place, and to see how it is suited to the religious life. And as they went around examining the place, the most holy Virgin said: I am perishing with thirst, most holy Father. And he said: Bear with me a little: in this direction a river flows, where we are about to arrive shortly. By no means, my Lord, for I am exhausted by the length of the journey, and therefore I am burning excessively with the heaviness of thirst. And when, looking around, they saw no relief at hand, they sought the aid of God, who is always present to those who hope in Him. You would have seen Peter with Paul, although there was a difference of sex, one bowing his head to the earth, the other raising his eyes to heaven. The holy Priest bowed his head to the earth, the venerable Virgin raised her virginal hands, her dove-like eyes, her mind free of all dispute, to heaven; hands generous in almsgiving, a mind devout with holy merits. together with him she draws forth a spring by prayers: When the prayer was completed, they saw a vein of spring water gushing from the depths of the earth, by which the Virgin might not only refresh her thirst, but which would suffice for the surrounding people. In the meantime, having been magnified by this sublimity, and having received the blessing of the Priest, she returned to the monastery, fleeing the report of so great a miracle.

[14] Meanwhile, while Blessed Aldegund with her whole soul, her whole mind, and all her strength desired the joys of the heavenly homeland, many flock to her, and dwelling there, joyfully sang to herself: The King has brought me into his chamber; nobles and the powerful, virgins and widows flocked from everywhere, desiring her instruction. And so, receiving from her the precepts of salvation, they joyfully sang in response: We will exult and rejoice in you, mindful of your breasts: the upright love you. There was found the instruction of life, the discipline of justice, the teaching of truth, the profession of chastity. There was a pious contention of those who anticipated one another in the service of true humility, and also of those who offered themselves to God as a living sacrifice, a holy blessing in the odor of sweetness. The young girls were instructed to fear their mistresses in a disciplined manner, the young women to reverence their teachers, the elders to love the younger, and each to bear the burdens of the other. The Mother of the household, namely Saint Aldegund, rejoicing over these things said: Behold the smell of my son is as the smell of a field that is full. There the flower of the vine was fragrant, because the power of those who preached was great, she instructs them in holy fashion: which intoxicated the minds of the hearers. There the flower of the rose was in bloom, because the fragrance was wonderful which gleamed from the passion of holy tears, vigils, and fasts. There the flower of the violet, because the virtue of the humble was great, who, out of desire holding the last places, did not lift themselves from the earth on high through humility; but with minds and bodies bowed, said with the Prophet: My soul has cleaved to the pavement, O Lord: quicken me according to your word. Psalm 118:25. There the flower of the olive shone, because the work of mercy was sweet, which like oil nourished and shone forth in necessary things. There indeed the flower of the lily gleamed white, because the life of the flesh was white from the incorruption of virginity. But because they could not have those same virtues of themselves, she added: To whom the Lord has given His blessing. And turning her heart to God she sang: Let my beloved come into his garden, to eat the fruit of his apple trees.

[15] At that time Blessed Amandus, shining with many virtues, had brought many nations to the title of Christianity by the word of preaching and the merits of his life, she sees S. Amandus going to heaven: and had advanced many congregations of monks, canons, and maidens to the highest honors. And when God wished to put an end to his blessed labor, it was shown to the blessed Virgin Aldegund that Blessed Amandus was passing to the Lord, and that the multitude of people who had believed through him was following him. Therefore the piety of the merciful God wished to show this form of the vision to His holy Virgin for this reason, that she might know that precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Saints, and through this might yearn all the more for heavenly things.

[16] Therefore, lest the mind of the consecrated Virgin be fanned by any breeze of human favor, she anxiously turned over within herself that saying of the Apostle: I chastise my body and bring it into subjection: lest perhaps when I have preached to others, I myself be found reprehensible. 1 Cor. 9:27. And when she read that the holy Virgin Petronilla, daughter of Peter the Apostle, was made bedridden lest she be taken as wife by Flaccus, Count of the City, on account of the exceeding beauty of her flesh; she too began to desire bodily infirmity. The sentiment of the Apostle strengthened the Virgin's mind, saying: When I am weak, then I am strong and powerful. And, Lest the greatness of the revelations exalt me, she asks God to be exercised by illnesses: there was given me a thorn of my flesh, an angel of Satan to buffet me. 2 Cor. 12:10. Strengthened by these and other testimonies of Holy Scripture, as we have said, she desired to be afflicted in body, that she might be glorified in soul: and she who had read of the manifold passions of holy Virgins and their many triumphs, since a pagan executioner was lacking, sought torments from her Creator, and the Virgin's prayer and the Creator's mercy competed, as He weighed the heart of the girl and the perils of human fragility. Ibid. v. 7. The Virgin prevailed, when out of the patience of holy Job she said: My prayer is pure: she suffers from cancer in her breast: and therefore I ask: Let a place be given to my voice in heaven. And because she asked humbly, she mercifully obtained what she most patiently bore. She therefore received the wound of cancer in the breast of her body: whose soul's breasts were like two fawns, twins of a roe, which feed among the lilies. She began to be pressed by the gravest pains, she who restored health to very many by her holy prayers. And when those standing around, sympathizing with her excessive pain, asked the cause of so great a wound, she would say: Do not look at me because I am dark, for the sun has discolored me. But these words were for outsiders: to God, however, and within herself, with those most familiar sighs and tears of hers, she often repeated: Prove me, O Lord, and try me: burn my reins and my heart: for your mercy is before my eyes, and I am well pleased with your truth. Thus the Virgin of Christ persevered in humility and patience, asking that the wound she had received most lovingly be made incurable.

[17] Lest therefore so irremediable and incurable a pain should be imputed by those who speak vanity from heart to heart to her merits and impotence, she heals a dying infant, Christ wished to declare it in this manner. On a certain day they brought to her a small child whose life was despaired of by his family: and Blessed Aldegund ordered that he be cast before the corner of the altar. When this was done, he was instantly restored to health. And when the sudden health of the infant was reported to the Virgin of Christ, she gave thanks to Christ the Lord, who works wonders in heaven and on earth through infinite ages of ages, Amen.

[18] Thus far our discourse has stammered, not as was fitting but as it could, and concerning the birth, practices, and deeds of the holy Virgin, it has recited, however ineptly, both truthfully and fittingly. What follows we place as it was found in the ancient codex of her deeds, lest we be judged to have curtailed rather than arranged the holy history. When therefore she was still in the house of her parents, tender in years and limbs but mature in character; whatever was of her own right she mercifully distributed to the poor, etc. The rest agrees word for word with the earlier Life, number 14 and following.

CONCERNING THE TRANSLATIONS OF S. ALDEGUND.

Aldegondis, Virgin at Maubeuge in Belgium (S.)

[1] We have found three translations of the relics of S. Aldegund: the first arranged by S. Aldetrude, the second in the year 1161 by the Abbess Fressendis, the third in the year 1439. Three translations of S. Aldegund; We believe the first occurred on 13 November; on which day two manuscript copies of Usuard which are preserved in the monastery of S. Germain at Paris, where Usuard was a monk, one written about four hundred years ago, the other much older; likewise the manuscript of the Church of Brussels, the old manuscript of the Professed House of the Society of Jesus at Antwerp, inscribed with the name of Bede, also those of Bruges and of S. Mary of Utrecht, written about five hundred years ago as one may conjecture, and others, read thus: At the monastery of Maubeuge, S. Aldegund the Virgin. The same is found, but with no place assigned, in the Carthusians of Cologne in their additions to Usuard, the old manuscript of the monastery of S. Maximin at Trier, of S. Riquier at Centula, of S. Lambert at Liege. If anyone should think that the holy Virgin rather died on this day, and was translated on 30 January, we shall certainly not object; if he produces documents, or the testimony of a trustworthy writer, or some other monument. Saussay inscribed the translation on that day in the Gallican Martyrology; 30 January, as many others, the birthday: and so indeed it is now observed at Maubeuge, as is evident from the proper Offices of that Church. But it is not that most ancient first translation which is celebrated on that day, but the one which was made two hundred years ago, on another day however, and ordered to be recalled annually, as we shall shortly say. The manuscript Florarium on this day has S. Aldegund, daughter of S. Basinus, King and Martyr, a contemporary of ours, but who is venerated on 20 June at Tronchiennes near Ghent.

[2] the first, That first translation of S. Aldegund occurred toward the end of the seventh century. It is thus related in the earlier life: The most beloved Virgin of Christ, bride of the Lord, dwelling-place of the Holy Spirit, was therefore buried in the village formerly of her own domain, where she rendered her soul to her Creator, called Curtis-Solra, where both her parents are said to have been entombed. After this, by the illustrious King Sigebert and the most blessed Virgin Aldetrude the Abbess, her body was translated to the town of Maubeuge. The name of King Sigebert is erroneously added here, as we noted above: not made in the presence of King Sigebert: for since he died in the year of Christ 654, almost twenty years before Aldegund herself, he could certainly not have been present at her translation. Whether another illustrious man named Sigebert was present, whom later writers, without sufficiently careful regard for chronology, wrote to have been a King; or whether rather there was present either Theodoric, King of the Franks, or some of his sons, or Pippin of Herstal, Mayor of the Palace, who is sometimes found called King because he commanded the Kings themselves; we cannot determine with certainty. Aldetrude had been trained in piety by S. Aldegund, as was written before, and was the daughter of her sister Waldetrudis, who entirely seems, as we shall say in due place, to have died before the year 700, since her sister Madelberta was appointed in her place, who had been instructed in religious ways by the same Aldegund.

[3] The second translation, or rather the reposition of the relics in another casket, the second, 6 June 1161, occurred in the year of Christ 1161, indiction 9, on 6 June. On which day Molanus in his additions to Usuard, and from him Wion: At Maubeuge, the exposition of the body of Blessed Aldegund the Virgin. This is a double feast of the second class, as is evident from the proper offices of the Church of Maubeuge. Of it Saussay on that day: At Maubeuge in Hainaut, the exposition of the body of S. Aldegund, Virgin and Abbess, sister of S. Gudula: who is celebrated by the right of sacred deposition on the penultimate day of January. The most learned man erred in his memory; she was not the sister of S. Gudula, but a kinswoman, as is evident from her life on 8 January, where Hubert, chapter 1, number 3, writes thus: She was also distinguished by her kinship with SS. Aldegund and Waldetrudis, of whom the former, having consecrated her virginity to God, confined herself under regular discipline, and completing the course of her life in that same celibacy, is now adorned with the diadem of her immaculate Spouse. described by Adrian: Adrian, Dean of S. Gaugeric at Cambrai, Provost and Chancellor of the Church of Maubeuge, described that exposition, or Translation, which I saw, he says in number 1; and in number 3: by the sweetness of whose fragrance we all standing by were wonderfully refreshed, so that it was suggested to us, Behold the smell of my daughter... Therefore, marveling, we all said together: Who is she, etc.

[4] The third translation was made in the year 1439, indiction 2, the third day of Pentecost, the third, 26 May 1439, 26 May; and it was established that the solemnities of this translation be celebrated in perpetual memorial on the third day in the feast of Pentecost, whenever it may fall, as is said below: described by an eyewitness: although it is now celebrated at Maubeuge on 13 November with a double office of the second class, with no mention made of the first Translation. He who was present also described that translation, as he himself attests in number 11: He who saw and was present at everything wrote these things, bearing testimony concerning them.

[5] others on 18 October. Besides these translations, on 18 October, on which S. Luke the Evangelist is venerated with a double office of the second class, a commemoration of S. Aldegund is made, concerning which in Lesson IX these things are found: This commemoration of Blessed Aldegund is made on account of a certain elevation or translation which is believed to have been made on this day. Perhaps at that time when the Normans were infesting the provinces of Belgic Gaul, was the body of the holy Virgin carried elsewhere, and then brought back on that day? What is found in the manuscript Martyrology of the monastery of S. Maximin on 10 June seems to point to the same thing: and 10 June. On the same day, the removal of the Virgin Aldegund.

THE ACCOUNT OF THE SECOND TRANSLATION

By Adrian, Provost of Maubeuge.

Aldegondis, Virgin at Maubeuge in Belgium (S.)

BHL Number: 0249

Year 1161. 6 June.

By Adrian.

[1] To all the faithful in Christ, both future and present, in perpetuity. It is certain that the deeds of the present slip from the memory of men through the succession of times. The author narrates what he himself witnessed. Therefore I have judged it necessary and fitting to write, and through writing to commend to the perpetual memory of all posterity, the glorious exposition of the sacred body of the holy Virgin Aldegund, which I saw, although less worthily, yet devoutly and humbly, and I carefully noted the order of what was done, always standing by the holy work in person.

[2] In the name of the Lord, the eighth day before the Ides of June was established as the day of this holy celebration, and was proclaimed far and wide. There came Nicholas, Bishop of Cambrai, a noble man, in the presence of many illustrious persons, and with him Archdeacons, and very many Canons of S. Mary and S. Gaugeric, honorable men: there came also Baldwin, the revered Count of Hainaut, and Alice his wife, a most noble and devout woman; and with them nobles and powerful men. There came also many Abbots, religious men, and an innumerable people flocked together: the bodies of Saints were also brought, those of S. Ghislain and S. Waldetrudis, with a great retinue of men and women. Moreover, the venerable Master Walter, Bishop of Laon, a religious and most prudent man, came, drawn by his love for our Church, and invited in friendly fashion by the Lord Bishop of Cambrai. Thus the solemn court of the holy Virgin Aldegund was clothed with the beauty of fullness and ineffable glory.

[3] When morning came, the aforesaid venerable Bishops, the religious Abbots, the choir of Canons, the community of Ladies serving there, the Count and Countess, and with them those who were more honorable and of sounder counsel from the court, entered the church, all others having been excluded, the doors closed, Mass celebrated, the locks fastened. The Bishop of Cambrai celebrated Mass, with those admitted standing by and devoutly praying. After this, the Bishop of Cambrai and the Bishop of Laon and the Abbots, most solemnly vested, prostrated themselves before the Lord's table, and confessing to one another, chanted the penitential psalms to the Lord, and devoutly completed the holy Litany of the Saints. the casket reverently opened, When these things had been done, with prolonged and most devout prayer, advancing, they approached the old shrine, and with exceeding trembling and reverence ordered it to be unsealed. When this was done, they found the holy vessel in which the body of the holy Virgin rested. When it was opened, immediately a most sweet fragrance issued forth, a sweet fragrance breathed forth: by whose sweetness we all standing by were wonderfully refreshed, so that it was suggested to us: Behold the smell of my daughter, in whom I am well pleased; the smell, I say, as the smell of a field that is full, which the Lord has blessed. Therefore, marveling, we all said together: Who is she who ascends like a pillar of smoke, from the aromatics of myrrh and frankincense, and every powder of the perfumer?

[4] The Bishop of Cambrai approached more closely, handling with his hand, the foot of the Saint, not decayed, shown to the people, and separated from the body one of the feet, clothed with imperishable skin and nails incorruptibly as if alive, and lifted it up, and showed it to all standing by, and having given the blessing to all humbly bowing, he reverently replaced it in the place from which he had taken it. Similarly the holy head, covered for the most part with incorruptible skin, and still clothed with certain little hairs, likewise the head: he lifted up and showed to those bowing tearfully; and afterward rejoined it to the holy body.

[5] All those standing by, gladdened by this holy sight and inflamed with exceeding desire, drew near to see more closely, and pressed upon the Bishops and Abbots too vehemently and irreverently. The Bishops, bearing this impatiently, decided that the holy vessel with the sacred body should be carried into the inner sacristy, in the sacristy the body is sewn in silk cloth: so that they might minister more freely and secretly. When this was done, with the door closed after a few had been admitted, they set down the holy vessel, and thus one bowing humbly at the head, another at the foot, they detached and removed the tile of the vessel on one side, and having placed a fine linen cloth beneath, and withdrawn another precious silk cloth, they drew out the holy body, firmly bound with the linen cloths in which it had been wrapped, and receiving it upon prepared coverings, they wrapped it, praying with tears: How beautiful and how sweet is the Virgin Aldegund, bride of Christ, intercede for us and for all others who supplicate you. And because the Bishops were less skilled in the work of sewing, the revered Countess Alice was called, and Fressendis, the most honorable Abbess of that same Church, and the Abbess of Ghislenghien, who had come for the feast day, a devout woman: who came forward, and having thrown back their mantles and freed their hands, ministered piously and tearfully around the holy body together with the Bishops. And you would have seen faithful women doing the work, like Martha and Mary ministering to the Lord together with the Apostles.

[6] While they were at work, it came back to my mind what I had often heard from the holy Virgins serving the holy Virgin in times past, when this matter was discussed, with such words as these: Oh, if that solemnity should find me! Oh, what joy there will then be for all who see this! Oh, do you think I shall see it? In this is shown how greatly they were inflamed with the desire of seeing. Recalling this, I approached the Bishop on bended knee, and addressing his benevolence, I said: Reverend Father, most noble man, [At the Author's instigation, the body is proposed for viewing and kissing by the Canonesses:] you know that nobility springs from the fountain of piety, by whose grace be propitious to the noble handmaids of the holy Virgin, that they may see more particularly the body which they serve day and night, and which they love more ardently than others. When this was granted, with the door opened, all entered with my support, and venerating the holy body humbly with the outpouring of the blood of the heart, that is, with tears, they kissed it: and going out they said to one another: Holy Virgin, glory of virginity, adorning the heavens of heavens, beautiful to behold, glorious among the choirs of Saints, what shall we render to you? Who have gifted us with this holy sight? We beseech you, be propitious to us your handmaids, that we may worthily serve you.

[7] When these things had been completed, the Bishops placed the holy body in a new vessel prepared with aromatics, and carried it with the greatest veneration outside the church to the public station, it is placed in a new casket, and there, having preached a sermon to the people, and having granted pardon of sins, and having given absolution to penitents through the grace of the Bishops, the Lord of Cambrai once again uncovered the holy head of the holy Virgin, and showed it uncovered to all the people watching, and having given the blessing, he replaced it in its place with the body. now wrapped, After this, the whole holy body, covered with a silk cloth and placed upon the cover of the vessel, the Bishops and religious Abbots standing around lifted up together, and leading it all around, showed it most diligently to all who stood by. Then all the people, as one man, praising God with one voice, striking their breasts with one devotion and bowing their heads, venerated it most devoutly. At that hour how great was the serenity of the air, shown how great the joy of all, how great the piety, how pitiable the sighs of men and women, how great the outpourings of tears, it belongs to God alone to know, and it is not to be presumed for our capacity or unworthiness to set forth. Finally, the most sacred body, wrapped in deer-skin and firmly sewn, they closed as if burying it in the vessel, with the covering tile placed over it with prayer: and afterward, the vessel thus secured with such dignity, deposited in a new shrine most preciously and artfully fashioned of gold and silver, as is evident to all, they ordered it to be sealed indissolubly.

[8] When these things had been so venerably completed, all approached the holy shrine, and with many gifts and offerings honored the holy Virgin with devotion: and returning to their own possessions they praised God, who is glorious in His Saints and wonderful, who has more wonderfully glorified in heaven the holy Virgin wonderfully preserved and honored on earth. Nor should it be passed over in silence with an innumerable people that, although this exposition was celebrated before the doors of the church in a place, as it seems, excessively narrow (a wonderful thing!), nevertheless nearly forty thousand men and women stood there together at the same time, as has been attested by many who saw it; and all were gladdened by the holy sight, and none complained of the burden of the crowding. We believe, however, that a place so confined would by no means have sufficed for so many thousands, unless the generosity of almighty God had so ordained it for the merit and grace of the holy Virgin. To Him be glory, honor, and dominion, living forever and ever, Amen.

[9] Done at Maubeuge, in the year of the Incarnate Word 1161, indiction 9, 6 June 1161, epact 22, concurrent 6, the third year of the nineteen-year cycle, in the reign of Frederick, Emperor and Augustus of the Romans, while Roland and Octavian were contending for the Apostolic See, with the venerable Samson presiding as Metropolitan at Reims, in the twenty-fifth year of the episcopate of Nicholas, Bishop of Cambrai, with the revered Count Baldwin governing the monarchy of Hainaut, son of the most noble Yolande, and Alice the Countess, daughter of the most noble Count of Namur. I, A., Dean of S. Gaugeric, Provost and Chancellor of the Church of Maubeuge, wrote and reviewed this.

THE ACCOUNT OF THE THIRD TRANSLATION.

By an anonymous author, an eyewitness.

Aldegondis, Virgin at Maubeuge in Belgium (S.)

BHL Number: 0250

Year 1439. 26 May.

By an Anonymous Author, from manuscripts.

CHAPTER I.

The translation of S. Aldegund decreed.

[1] Antiquity is wont to erase from the memory of men even magnificent works, unless they are noted in histories or annals. Therefore, so that what has been done in these days concerning the Translation of the body of the blessed Virgin Aldegund, and the reservation of her precious head outside the new casket, may be known to all the faithful, present and future, for all generations, and so that forgetfulness may never erase it from their hearts, we have thought it should be committed to the present writings.

[2] Let us all give thanks to the divine goodness, which in the midst of the distresses of this wicked earthly habitation, consoles us with many remedies, as the Prophet before us had recalled, when he said: According to the multitude of my sorrows in my heart, your consolations have gladdened my soul. Psalm 93:19. For God, faithful in His promises, cannot deny Himself, who has promised to be with His servants in tribulation, and to deliver them and glorify them. Formerly, As the second translation was made in a calamitous time, namely in the year of the Incarnate Word 1161, it pleased the bestower of all goods to glorify His holy chosen one Aldegund, and to have her body transferred from an old casket to a new and quite precious one; at the time when the bark of Peter, that is, the Church Militant, was being tossed by great waves, and when two men contending for the Papacy were, as far as in them lay, tearing apart the seamless garment of Christ, which the impiety of the Jews did not presume to rend. At that time God, having mercy on the Church of Maubeuge and conferring upon it the joys of that translation, for the consolation of the devout, granted it to breathe under so great a weight of calamities. Thus it has always pleased His immense clemency to set prosperity against adversity, good against evil, and joyful things against sorrowful. The divine volumes of both Testaments are full of this truth: which may be seen in the people of God, whom He often delivered from the hands of their enemies, and in the Apostles and Martyrs and elect of Christ, whom He mercifully rescued from dangers, distresses, deaths, and tyrants, lest they be swallowed up. Truly everyone who worships God has this, that if his life has been in trial, it shall be crowned; if in tribulation, it shall be delivered; if in chastisement, it shall be permitted to attain mercy. For in these days God was chastising the inhabitants of this region, as well as neighboring and foreign nations, now with famine, now with pestilence, sometimes with the sword, so also the third; and was multiplying their evils among them; among which this one was most grievous, that between the General Council legitimately assembled at Basel, and the Supreme Pontiff, there was no small dissension about the authority of General Councils: in which disturbances the Lord consoled the Church of Cambrai in the parts of Hainaut, especially in the region of Maubeuge, and showed it mercy, to which by His grace it was given to attain, when He disposed that the precious treasure of the body of the blessed Virgin Aldegund, long stored in an old casket, be transferred to a noble vessel fabricated with subtle artistry and exceeding ambition in gold and silver.

[3] Indeed, many years before, this remarkable vessel had been begun; but with the malice of the times hindering, it was only now finally completed. And when it was presented to the sight of the Lady Abbess and the whole college of the young noble Ladies devoutly serving the aforesaid Virgin, long desired, at whose expense it had been constructed for the most part, all equally praised the immense wisdom of God, who had prepared such industrious craftsmen for His handmaid. They sent messengers to the Reverend Father in Christ the Lord John, Bishop of the Church of Cambrai, concerning the translation of the sacred body from the old to this new mausoleum: promised by the Bishop, to whose prayers the pious Father gave his assent. However, with various intervening cares of the pastoral office, he was overtaken by death and could not fulfill what he had granted. Nevertheless, lest so holy a purpose of the aforesaid handmaids of Blessed Aldegund and of the whole region come to nothing; proven men were sent to the Chapter of the aforesaid Church of Cambrai, made during a vacancy of the See, to plead the cause for that translation: whom it received graciously, and with a glad heart sent them back with their request granted, appointing the Reverend Father in Christ the Lord Hugo, Bishop of Dagne, Vicar in Pontificals of the vacant See, and the venerable men Paul Beye, Greater Archdeacon in the Church of Cambrai, and Giles Carlier, Professor of Sacred Theology, Dean of the same Church, as Vicars in spiritual and temporal affairs of that See, to perform all things pertaining to this sacred mystery at the opportune time.

CHAPTER II.

The translation solemnly performed.

[4] And when the appointed time had come, the aforesaid venerable men, fulfilling their instructions, came to Maubeuge, With a great concourse of people, received with honor and joy by the Abbess and the whole Chapter of the young noble Ladies. From that hour immense joy was shown in the whole town: the drums did not cease to sound jubilantly through the entire night. And when, with the risen sun, the glad day which the Lord had made arrived, as they entered the temple of the Lord -- the Reverend Father Bishop and the venerable Archdeacon and Dean mentioned above -- there were present for this great spectacle the venerable Father Abbots of S. Ghislain, Hautmont, S. Denis in Broqueroie, Liessies, Maroilles, Bonne-Esperance, and Tenelles: in the presence of Prelates, the Dean and Canons of S. Quentin in the Church of S. Aldegund at Maubeuge, the Dean of Christianity of that same place; the Deans of the Churches of Soignies, S. Germain of Mons, and of Binche: the Abbess with the whole college of the noble Ladies of S. Aldegund at Maubeuge: also certain noble Ladies of the Church of S. Waldetrudis at Mons; the Rector of the Parish Church of S. Germain at Mons, a renowned man; and many notable Ecclesiastics; whose names are unknown to us but known to God; we pray they are written in the book of life.

[5] Present for these proceedings were the noble and illustrious Lords: other noble men, the Lord John, Lord of Jeumont and of Chateau in the Ardennes; John, firstborn son of the Lord of Ligne; the Lord Michael of Ligne, Lord of Barbançon; the Lord John, Lord of Bossut and of Goegnies; Giles, Lord of Berlaimont and of Pieruwelz, Cupbearer of Hainaut; the Lord Simon of Lalaing; the Lord Sanson of Lalaing, his brother; Anselm, Lord of Trazegnies and of Silly; the Lord Adrian, Lord of Trelon; the Lord Everard, Lord of Haye and of Ghoy; the Lord Pinchard of Gaure, Lord of Fresin; Gerard, Lord of Ville; the Lord Gerard, Lord of Bossut and of Serfontaines; James, Lord of Harchies, Provost of Maubeuge; Giles of Harchies, his brother, Provost of Villemont; John called Broyant of Sars, the father; and women, John called Broyant of Sars, the son, Esquires; and many noble Ladies, namely the Lady Abbess of la Thure, the Lady Mary of Melun, the Lady of Hourdain, the Lady of Barbançon, the Lady of Ligne, the Lady of Lens, the young Lady wife of the said Lord of Berlaimont.

[6] To these, and to the innumerable multitude which the church could hold, a sermon was preached by the aforesaid Dean in the same place, to the glory of God, to the praise of the blessed Virgin Aldegund, and for the salvation of the people standing around. For although a projecting tabernacle, commonly called a Hourt, had been erected outside, adjoining that same church, so that the sermon might be given there and the other mysteries; after the sermon yet the weather did not allow the people to be in the open air at the very hour of the sermon; after which, for the comfort of the incredible multitude, by God's will the rains were driven away and a sufficiently pleasant breeze returned. Then the venerable Bishop, with the Archdeacon and Dean, the Prelates and Ecclesiastical men and women, in a spirit of humility and a contrite heart, proceeded from the temple to the tabernacle, so that the whole people might be able to watch the desired translation, the new and old shrines having already been brought thither. But while the procession advances, and public prayers, the penitential Psalms are chanted mournfully by the college of noble Ladies. And with the Reverend Bishop, the Archdeacon and Dean, together with the Ecclesiastical Prelates and Nobles, standing before the holy body in the old mausoleum in the tabernacle, prayers with tears, on bended knees, with joined hands, are made by each one: then the offices of the Litanies follow with appropriate prayers.

[7] After this, the Bishop, rising from prayer, reverently consecrates that noble vessel and magnificent shrine, the shrine is opened: soon to be the sepulchre of the sacred body. When this had been solemnly performed, he approaches the old one with trepidation, with the Archdeacon and Dean attending him carefully: he orders it to be uncovered and the seals to be broken by skilled men. When these had been loosened, before the coffin in which the holy body lies is drawn from the casket, the venerable Bishop with his colleagues the Archdeacon and Dean prostrate themselves in prayer: likewise the other Ecclesiastical Prelates and Nobles standing by, confessing their own faults and unworthiness; yet having received confidence from the mercy of God and the clemency of the holy Virgin whose mysteries are being celebrated, he approaches more closely and lifts the sepulchre or coffin itself from that old casket. Since it was firmly closed, he orders the fastenings to be loosened, and raising the upper board, the Lord makes known the virtues lying hidden within it. For when the most worthy body began to be seen, a sweet fragrance breathed forth, a most sweet fragrance wonderfully filled all who stood by: joys burst forth outwardly: and now, unable to contain themselves, they break out in cries of exultation and praise: they lift devout hands to heaven, glorifying the power of God, who heaps such honors upon His handmaid the blessed Aldegund, that not only is her soul venerated by the Angelic powers in heaven, but her body too is so reverently venerated by mortals on earth. The spirit of the nobles and of the whole people exults in a wonderful manner, and a great cry was heard in Rama, that is, on high: with the people exulting: some draw sighs from the depths for joy, others beat their breasts, seeing the beauty of the most holy body and knowing their own weakness: the rest extend their hands to heaven, marveling at the handmaid of God, and all adoring her as their advocate after the Mother of God and their patroness. There was not in the memory of men so glad a day, so full of grace, while the patroness of the country, so rarely seen, is beheld, so long desired to be seen is perceived. For the venerable Bishop lifts the most worthy body from the sepulchre and shows it to all, with the aforesaid Archdeacon and Dean assisting him. It was wrapped on the outside in deer-skin, closed with a firm binding, just as our Fathers had placed it, at the time of the former translation, in the monument. Indeed all things were so firm as if they had been recently placed, so that it was labor to loosen them with a knife. It is therefore opened, though with difficulty, at the part of the head, and they extract it thence, to be venerated by placing it separately in a reliquary. the body is separated from the head. This was done with the common consent of the Reverend Bishop, the Archdeacon, the Dean, the Abbess of the college of noble Ladies, and the Dean and Canons of that same place, so that with honors multiplied, the Virgin might be more abundantly venerated, while the body in the shrine of wonderful beauty, and the head in a reliquary to be prepared, will be adored by suppliants and the devout.

CHAPTER III.

The relics reverently placed.

[8] When these things had been so performed, the venerable Bishop himself, bearing the most sacred head of the Virgin in his hands, showed it bare to the watching multitude: to which all reverently kneeling, with tears, exultation of spirit, and joined hands, implored the mercy of God through the intercession of the Virgin. They are astonished at the miracle, as they perceive that in it there are still present skin and quite many hairs, The head is shown to the people, still covered with skin and hairs, and several teeth, although about eight hundred and nine years had elapsed since she had migrated to Christ: nor had anything else or little been changed since the time of the former translation, when about two hundred and seventy-eight years are believed to have passed. But this is what was said by the Lord, who thus glorifies His Saints: Not a hair of your head shall perish. Luke 21:18. Assuredly the Lord already adorns the body of His bride with an earnest of incorruptibility, since He preserves it from dissolution for so long a time for us, suggesting how great is the glory of His house and of those who dwell in it, how great the sweetness, how great the brightness, while He bestows such honors upon the body of the humble Virgin Aldegund. At that very hour, as is believed, all were unmindful of all calamities, pressures, and distresses, and attended only to the veneration of the precious head, hoping for better things in the future from such a vision.

[9] And when the venerable Bishop had slowly circled through the length of the tabernacle, displaying the honorable head, he returned to the place of the old sepulchre, and having wrapped it in precious linen cloths and set it aside, he attended most devoutly to the translation of the body. And having taken it up, The body shown, and having lifted it from the coffin in which it had lain so long, with the venerable Archdeacon and Dean so often mentioned assisting, he openly showed it to all the watching people. In the midst of tears, joys break forth; from afar they send forth harmonious singing. When therefore the body of the Virgin had been held aloft for some time, it is enclosed in the new shrine: the Bishop places it in the new sepulchre fitted to the new shrine, consecrated with chrism and other sanctifications. He orders it to be fastened with keys, and seals it in many places with his ring. And thus arranged, to the magnificent shrine, sanctified with chrism and many ceremonial rites, they themselves -- the Bishop, the Archdeacon, and the Dean -- carry it and place it inside; with the venerable Father Abbots, the Lady Abbess, and the college of the handmaids of Christ and of the Virgin Aldegund, the Nobles, and all the people watching everything. The shrine itself, holding within it the noble treasure of the holy body, with the head kept outside, is closed most firmly, secured with bars, keys, and other iron fastenings.

[10] When all these things had been thus done, they are carried back to the church; there are present four or six of the eldest among the Nobles, who together with some Ecclesiastical men take upon their shoulders that noble shrine, containing this precious manna of the body of the blessed Virgin Aldegund, to be carried from the tabernacle to the church. The choir of the college of noble Ladies and of the Canons goes before, singing aloft the Angelic hymn, Te Deum Laudamus: with whom stands the venerable Archdeacon, reverently holding the precious head of the Virgin in his hands, and those carrying the shrine follow: then the Prelates, and last the Reverend Bishop, and next to him the Dean, all singing devoutly and joyfully the aforementioned hymn. When they had come to the middle of the church, the body in the middle of the temple, the shrine is set down, with lights and silk cloths placed all around. When the hymn was completed, the aforesaid Bishop, concluding these praises with a versicle and prayer, proceeds toward the high altar, preceded by the Prelates, the Archdeacon carrying the head, and the Dean, and while the Bishop is being vested in sacred vestments to celebrate the divine offices, the head is placed on the altar; the venerable Archdeacon humbly and reverently reclines the head of the blessed Virgin upon the altar, where it remains as long as Mass is celebrated. Meanwhile the people in crowds bring offerings to the shrine, each according to his ability. Meanwhile the organs of praise resound, the choir of Canons jubilates, the college of noble Ladies sings psalms to the Lord, singing with mind and spirit. after Mass The devout Bishop completes the sacrifices by giving thanks and praying. When these things had been brought to their end, certain men whose hearts God had touched, and various gifts offered, offer gifts to the precious head on the altar, so that it might be fittingly enclosed in a reliquary to be fabricated. To these the venerable Archdeacon so often mentioned paves the way, and is the first to contribute generously. After this the Bishop, returning from the sanctuary, carries it back into it, and placing it among the relics, wraps it in the cleanest cloths; they are placed in the sacristy, and lest anyone presume to touch it bare, or perpetrate any evil, he himself diligently secures it with his seal, and the aforesaid Archdeacon and Dean with the seal of the vacant See of Cambrai. And so all, glorifying God, return to their own places.

[11] He who saw and was present at everything wrote these things, bearing testimony concerning them, When these things were done, and we know that his testimony is true. These things were done in the year of the Lord's Incarnation 1439, indiction 2, on the third day of the feast of Pentecost, which was then 26 May: with the Lord Pope Eugenius IV presiding in the Church, Albert King of the Romans and Duke of Austria, Charles VII, most Christian King of the Franks, Philip, illustrious Duke of Burgundy, Lord of Hainaut; the See of Cambrai itself being vacant, by which it was established that the solemnities of this translation be celebrated in perpetual memorial on the third day of the feast of Pentecost, whenever it may occur; in the presence of the Reverend Bishop, the Archdeacon, the Dean, the Abbots, the Ladies, the noble Ladies, the Ecclesiastics and Nobles mentioned above, with an incredible multitude of peoples.