Amalberga of Temse
| Saint Amalberga of Temse | |
|---|---|
|
Saint Amalberga and her fish support the arms of Zandhoven | |
| Died | 772 AD |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Major shrine | Ghent |
| Feast | July 10 |
| Attributes | large fish |
Amalberga of Temse (born about 741, died 10 July 772) was a Lotharingian noblewoman from the Frankish royal house of the Pippinids who is celebrated as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. She is especially venerated in Temse, Ghent, Munsterbilzen and other parts of Flanders. Many miracles, such as crossing a river on a giant fish, are attributed to her.
Her vita is connected to Charlemagne, whom her biographer (Goscelin of St. Bertin) says wanted to marry her. When she refused in order to continue her vocation as a virgin, he tried to move her by force; he broke her arm, but was unable to carry her off. He fell ill because of his actions, but she forgave him and prayed to God to heal him.
The virgin Amalberga of Temse should not be confused with Amalberga of Maubeuge.
References
- Vita sanctae Amalbergae virginis auctore Goscelino Sancti Bertini
- "St. Amalberga" from the Catholic Encyclopedia
Further reading
- Love, Rosalind (2005). "'Et quis me tanto oneri parem faciet?': Goscelin of Saint-Bertin and the Life of Amelberga". In Katherine O'Brien O'Keeffe and Andy Orchard. Latin Learning and English Lore: Studies in Anglo-Saxon Literature for Michael Lapidge. Toronto Old English Series. 2. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. pp. 231–52.