Aldegonde

The Holy Aldegundis or Adelgundis (c. 630 in Coulsore, France, † January 30 684 ( 695 or 700 ) ) was the founder and abbess of the double monastery of Maubeuge. The saint is invoked in the Catholic Church as Nothelferin sickness and death risk.

Childhood and youth

Aldegundis was a direct descendant of the Merovingian royal house. She was born as the second daughter of Waldebertus I and his wife Bertilla and lived with her ​​parents and later also canonized Sister forest Trudi Castle Cousolre in Hainault. They even harbored the desire to join a convent, but her parents wanted a connection with the English royal family. Aldegundis fled shortly before the marriage with the son of the English king in an uninhabited region on the Sambre. She lived there as a recluse until her parents gave in to their request.

Nun and abbess

In her pleading toward the holy Bishop Amand of Maastricht took them 651 in a monastery. After the death of her parents used Aldegundis their heritage with the support of the bishops Amand and Autbertus to 661 in what was then Malbodium to set up the double monastery of Maubeuge. They followed the example of her sister, who previously founded a Benedictine monastery in today Mons. Aldegundis put an emphasis on the health and care of the poor and donated to a hospital. She headed the monastery as abbess until her death due to cancer. The exact date of death is not certain, however, January 30 684 is considered as the most likely date.

Legend

In the Christian faith as a young girl brought up Aldegundis heard a voice search you groom no other than the Son of God! As a 13 - year-old she was promised to the son of the English king, but before her parents could force Aldegundis to this marriage, she died. The king's son, however, pursued his bride, but Aldegundis escaped him, because an angel passed over the waters of a river. In addition to this legend can be attributed to still exist a number of other stories of miracles and healings that Aldegundis. For example, should at the consecration as abbess a Dove put the veil on her head, or a candle that fell over and went out when she was engrossed with her sister in a spiritual conversation ignited by herself when she took them in hand again.

Veneration of saints

The worship Aldegundis spread from the 8th century, especially in France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. The Holy Aldegundis is often counted among the Helpers and called for fever, cancer, headaches, epilepsy, children's eyes and mental disorders and general danger of death. A well-known prayer in this context is St. Adelgundis us shall preserve fever, cancer and Todsgefahr.

Iconography

She is often depicted in art as a nun with Abbess rod and rule book, in some cases additionally a dove or a cancer is added, pointing to the legend and her patient endurance of the disease. The occasional appearance of crown and scepter at her feet, are interpreted as a symbol of the renunciation of her earthly life as a nobleman. The relics of St. Aldegundis are today in the parish church in Maubeuge.

Patrozinien

Aldegundis is named after the 1097 first mentioned as Sanctam Aldegundam village of St. Aldegund.