Saint Adalbald of Ostrevant
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| Saint Adalbald of Ostrevant | |
| Feast Day | February 02 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | |
| Birthplace | Flanders (region), Frankish Kingdom |
| Death Place | Péruwelz, Hainaut, Frankish Kingdom (modern Belgium) |
| Cause of Death | martyrdom |
| Primary Shrine | Abbey of Saint-Ghislain, Rue de la Chaussée, 7330 Saint-Ghislain, Hainaut, Belgium |
Saint Adalbald of Ostrevant (also Adelbold, Adalbaud; died 1 February 652) was a 7th-century Frankish nobleman and martyr, venerated for his piety and violent death at the hands of relatives opposed to his marriage.[1] According to the near-contemporary Vita Sanctae Geretrudis (Life of Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, c. 670), Adalbald was the son of Saint Gertrude of Hamage and a high official at the court of Dagobert I, belonging to the powerful Pippinid–Arnulfing family circle.[2] Married to Saint Rictrude of Marchiennes (c. 645), he fathered four children who became saints: Maurontius, Eusebia, Clotsinda, and Adalsinda. While traveling to Gascony to collect taxes, he was assassinated near Péruwelz (Hainaut) by relatives of Rictrude who disapproved of the union, possibly for political reasons.[3] His body was returned to Flanders and buried at the abbey of Saint-Amand, later translated to Saint-Ghislain.
Venerated as a martyr from the 7th century onward, Adalbald’s cult was confirmed by inclusion in the Roman Martyrology and local Belgian calendars, without formal canonization typical of Merovingian saints.[4] His feast day is 2 February. While hagiographic traditions describe his death as martyrdom for the faith, modern scholarship views it as a family feud over inheritance or alliance, though the Church has consistently honored him as a martyr of charity and justice.[5] Relics are preserved at the Abbey of Saint-Ghislain (Belgium), where he is venerated together with his wife Rictrude and daughter Eusebia.
Biography
Birth
No exact date or place of birth is recorded for Saint Adalbald. Tradition places his origin in the Flemish nobility of the 7th century, son of Saint Gertrude of Hamage and closely linked to the court of Dagobert I.[6]
Early Life
As a young nobleman, Adalbald served at the Merovingian court and distinguished himself by piety and justice. He married Rictrude, daughter of Ernoldus, a powerful lord in Gascony and Flanders, c. 635–640, despite opposition from her family.[7]
Occupation
Adalbald held high administrative office under Dagobert I and Clovis II, collecting royal taxes in Gascony and Aquitaine, a role that made him both wealthy and vulnerable to political enemies.[8]
Vocation
His vocation was that of a married Christian nobleman living evangelical counsels within the world. Together with Rictrude, he raised four saintly children and practiced generous almsgiving. His death while fulfilling royal duties is traditionally interpreted as martyrdom for justice.
Death
On 1 February 652, while returning from Gascony, Adalbald was ambushed and murdered near Péruwelz by relatives of Rictrude who opposed the marriage. His body was recovered and buried at Saint-Amand Abbey before translation to Saint-Ghislain.[9]
Saint Adalbald of Ostrevant met his end through martyrdom.
Significant events
- Married Saint Rictrude c. 635–640, founding a holy family.
- Assassinated by relatives on 1 February 652 while on royal service.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: None
Death location: Péruwelz, Hainaut, Frankish Kingdom (modern Belgium)
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Shrines
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List of shrines
Abbey of Saint-Ghislain
- The 10th-century Benedictine abbey in Saint-Ghislain (Hainaut, Belgium) houses the principal relics of Saint Adalbald together with his wife Rictrude and daughter Eusebia, designated a diocesan shrine for family devotion; it qualifies under Canon 1230 through February 2 pilgrimages and relic veneration.
- Pilgrimage details: Rue de la Chaussée, 7330 Saint-Ghislain, Belgium; relics since 10th century; annual feast processions; Diocese of Tournai.
- Facts: "Adalbald’s tomb is venerated with his saintly family."
Canonization
As a 7th-century martyr, Saint Adalbald was venerated locally from the time of his death; his cult was confirmed by inclusion in medieval martyrologies and the Roman Martyrology without formal canonization process.
Miracles
No authenticated post-mortem miracles are recorded beyond the traditional incorruption and healings at his tomb reported in medieval abbey chronicles.
Patronage
No official patronage; locally invoked with his wife Rictrude for married couples and families.
Feast day
February 02
Veneration
Saint Adalbald of Ostrevant is venerated on 2 February, especially in the Diocese of Tournai, with his wife and children as a model of Christian family life. Relics at Saint-Ghislain Abbey.
External links
References
- ↑ "St. Adalbald of Ostrevant". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3092.
- ↑ "St. Gertrude of Nivelles". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06470a.htm.
- ↑ "Saint Adalbald". Nominis. https://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/1150/Saint-Adalbald.html.
- ↑ "Saint Adalbald". Abbaye de Saint-Ghislain. https://www.saintghislain.be/saint-adalbald.
- ↑ "St Adalbald of Ostrevant". Orthodox.net. https://www.orthodox.net/menaion-february/02-saint-adalbald-of-ostrevant.html.
- ↑ "St. Gertrude of Nivelles". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06470a.htm.
- ↑ "Saint Adalbald". Nominis. https://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/1150/Saint-Adalbald.html.
- ↑ "St. Adalbald of Ostrevant". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3092.
- ↑ "Saint Adalbald". Abbaye de Saint-Ghislain. https://www.saintghislain.be/saint-adalbald.