Waltrude

Saint Waltrude (French: Waudru; Dutch: Waldetrudis; German: Waltraud; Latin: Valdetrudis, Valtrudis, Waltrudis; died April 9, c. 688 AD) is the patron saint of Mons, Belgium, where she is known in French as Sainte Waudru, and of Herentals, Belgium, where she is known in Dutch as Sint-Waldetrudis or -Waltrudis. Both cities boast a large medieval church that bears her name.

Saint Waltrude
DiedApril 9, c. 688 AD
Venerated inRoman Catholic Church
Eastern Orthodox Church
FeastApril 9
PatronageMons

Life

Waltrude was born in Cousolre in northern France, to a wealthy and influential noble family. According to Alban Butler, she was a sister to Aldegonde, foundress of Maubeuge Abbey.[1] Waltrude married Vincent Madelgarius, the Count of Hainault. According to scholar John O'Hanlon, Madelgarius (or Maelceadar) was originally from Ireland.[2] They had four children:

After her husband retired to an abbey, she herself became a nun in 656. She founded her own convent (Sainte-Waudru) and the city of Mons grew around it.

Her biography celebrates her for "the pious intention under vow to free captives. She arranged the ransom price [pretium], weighed out the silver. ... When the captives had been bought back with the ransom money out of her own purse, at her command they returned to their families and homes."[3]

The shrine of Saint Waltrude is kept in the Saint Waltrude Collegiate Church in Mons. Each year, as part of the Ducasse de Mons festival, the shrine is placed on the car d'or, a gilded cart, and drawn by horses through the city streets.

"Both her parents (Walbert and Bertille) and her sister (Aldegund) were canonized. Her four children were also declared saints (Landericus, Dentelin, Aldetrude, and Madelberte) and so was her husband (Madelgaire)."[4][5]

  • The Sainte Waudru collegiate church and the belfry at Mons.
    The Sainte Waudru collegiate church and the belfry at Mons.
  • St. Waltrude and Family.
    St. Waltrude and Family.

References
  1. Butler, Alban. The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Other Principal Saints James Duffy, 1866, p. 66 Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. O'Hanlon, John. ''Lives of the Irish Saints Vol. 9], 1873–1905. pp. 180-181
  3. Schulenburg, Jane Tibbetts. Forgetful of their Sex: Female Sanctity and Society, ca. 500-1100. Chicago, Illinois: The University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-74054-4. p. 76.
  4. Saint of the Day, April 9: Waldetrudis of Mons at SaintPatrickDC.org
  5. "St. Waldetrudis" at Catholic.org
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