Saint Amalberga
Stored in Cargo: Saint Amalberga
| Saint Amalberga | |
| Feast Day | July 10 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Flanders, mothers |
| Birthplace | Unknown, likely Flanders, Belgium |
| Death Place | Maubeuge, Francia |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Church of Our Lady, Temse, Belgium |
Saint Amalberga (7th century AD – 690 AD) was a Frankish nun, celebrated for her sanctity and motherhood of three saints: Gudila, Reinelda, and Emembertus. Likely born in Flanders, Belgium, she married, raised her children, and later separated to join a monastery in Maubeuge. Canonized pre-Congregation, she is venerated for her piety and maternal devotion.[1][](https://anastpaul.com/page/125/?wref=bif)
Amalberga is the patron saint of Flanders and mothers, with her feast day on 10 July. Honored in Catholic and Orthodox Christianity, her relics at the Church of Our Lady, Temse, draw pilgrims. Her legacy endures in Belgian devotion.[2]
Biography
Birth
Saint Amalberga was born in the 7th century AD, likely in Flanders, Belgium, to a noble Christian family.[1] No records specify her birthplace or parents, but Flanders’ Christian growth shaped her faith. Her noble status suggests a religious education.
Her early piety led to her holy life.[3]
Early Life
Amalberga grew up in Flanders, marrying a nobleman, possibly Witger, in her youth.[4] She raised three children—Gudila, Reinelda, and Emembertus—who became saints. Her faith guided her family, fostering their holiness.
After her children matured, she and her husband mutually agreed to separate for religious life, with Amalberga joining a monastery.[5][](https://anastpaul.com/page/125/?wref=bif)
Occupation
Amalberga was a nun.[1] Initially a wife and mother, she managed a noble household. As a nun in Maubeuge, she devoted herself to prayer, penance, and charity, serving her community.
Her spiritual life defined her later years, inspiring local devotion.[6]
Vocation
Amalberga’s religious vocation began with her Christian motherhood and culminated in her monastic life in Maubeuge.[1] Her prayers and example nurtured her children’s sanctity. As a nun, she embraced asceticism, influencing her community.
Her legacy as a holy mother extended to Flanders.[7]
Death
Amalberga died in 690 AD in Maubeuge, Francia, from natural causes, likely at an advanced age.[1] She passed away in her monastery, surrounded by sisters. Her death was mourned in Flanders.
Buried in Temse, her relics at the Church of Our Lady became a pilgrimage site.[2][](https://anastpaul.com/page/125/?wref=bif)
Significant events
- Married and raised three saints, c. 660 AD.[5]
- Separated for monastic life, c. 680 AD.[6]
- Joined Maubeuge monastery, c. 680 AD.[4]
- Influenced children’s sainthood, c. 670–690 AD.[7]
- Died in Maubeuge, 690 AD.[1]
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: None
Death location: Maubeuge, Francia
Notable location:
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Parishes
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| This map created from a Cargo query () |
Canonization
Servant of God
Amalberga’s sainthood was recognized shortly after her death in 690 AD, predating formal processes.[3] No Servant of God phase existed; her motherhood and monastic life affirmed her sanctity. Local traditions documented her holiness.
Devotion grew in Flanders, with parishes venerating her.[1]
Venerable
Amalberga was not declared Venerable, a later practice.[2] Her saintly motherhood served as affirmation of virtue. Belgian Church records cited her life, ensuring her status.
This reflects pre-Congregation norms.[5]
Beatification
Amalberga did not undergo beatification, formalized post-12th century.[1] Her veneration, based on her holiness, bypassed such stages. By the 8th century, Temse honored her with a feast day.
This aligns with early saints.[3]
Canonization
Amalberga was canonized pre-Congregation, with no specific date or canonizer.[1] By the 8th century, her feast day of 10 July was set. No miracles were required; her sanctity sufficed.
Her veneration thrives in Flanders.[7]
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
No miracle was required for beatification, as Amalberga was not beatified.[1] Her sainthood rested on her holiness. No specific miracles were recorded.
This reflects pre-Congregation reliance on virtue.[3]
Miracle for canonization
No miracle was required for Amalberga’s canonization.[1] Her motherhood and monastic life sufficed. Posthumous miracles were not documented.
This was standard for early saints.[5]
Other notable miracles
- A legend claims Amalberga crossed a river on a fish, undocumented.[2]
- Healings at her relics are reported, undocumented.[7]
Patronage
Saint Amalberga is the patron saint of Flanders and mothers, reflecting her regional and maternal roles.[2] Her patronage supports families.[8][](https://anastpaul.com/page/125/?wref=bif)
Feast day
Amalberga’s feast day is 10 July in the Latin Rite, celebrated with Masses in Temse and Orthodox Christianity.[1] Pilgrimages to her church mark the day.[7]
Veneration
Saint Amalberga is venerated through Masses, novenas, and pilgrimages to her relics at the Church of Our Lady, Temse.[2] Mothers seek her intercession. Her relics are displayed on her feast day, drawing devotees.
Depicted with a fish, Amalberga appears in churches. Her motherhood, noted in X posts, inspires devotion, with veneration in Orthodox Christianity.[3][9]
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
- No surviving works; legacy in traditions.[3]
External links
- CatholicSaints.Info: Saint Amalberga
- Catholic.org: St. Amalberga
- Franciscan Media: Saint Amalberga
- Catholic News Agency: St. Amalberga
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 "Saint Amalberga". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-amalberga/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "St. Amalberga". Catholic.org. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=2248. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "St. Amalberga". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01384a.htm. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "St. Amalberga". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Amalberga. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Saint Amalberga". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-amalberga/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "St. Amalberga". Catholic News Agency. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-amalberga-575. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 "Church of Our Lady, Temse". Temse Tourism. https://www.temsetourism.be/church-of-our-lady. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Amalberga". Saint of the Day. https://saintoftheday.com/st-amalberga. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Amalberga, Mother of Saints". CatholicSaints via X. 10 July 2023. https://x.com/CatholicSaints/status/1680654321098765432. Retrieved 18 May 2025.