(END OF 7TH CENT.)
[Molanus, Wyon, Miræus, Menardus, Bollandus, &c., on this day; some
other hagiographers on March 15th. Authority:--An ancient life, part
of which formed the lections of the Breviary for the Collegiate
Church of Mons, founded by S. Waldetrudis.]
The Abbey of Maubeuge, in France, on the Sambre, near the confines of
Belgium, was founded by S. Aldegund (Jan. 30th), sister of S.
Waldetrudis (April 9th), wife of S. Vincent, a count, (July 14th), and
aunt of the two holy daughters of this pious couple, S. Aldetrudis and
S. Madelbertha (Sept. 7th), who succeeded Aldegund as abbesses of
Maubeuge. Aldetrudis was brought up by her saintly parents to tread
the path of light and life from her earliest infancy. She chose the
religious life, and entered the house founded and governed by her
aunt, whom she succeeded. One little incident of her life has retained
its hold on the popular memory, and is sometimes represented in art.
Determined not to waste the precious wax from the altar and other
candles, Aldetrudis melted up all the scrapings, drippings, and ends
of the tapers in a large pot on the fire, but, when it was melted, the
wax caught fire. Aldetrudis, thinking there was danger from the blaze,
and not wishing to lose the wax, boldly caught the pot from the fire
with both her hands, and placed it on the stone floor. The legend adds
that though some of the melted wax ran over her hands she was not
burnt.
Another story is to this effect. One evening she stood at the convent
gate, looking out at an advancing thunderstorm. Presently there came a
flash and a roar, which so frightened her that she cried out, "Lord
Jesus, into Thy hands I commend my spirit!" Then there passed her the
Lord Himself, shining out of the darkness, fairer than the sons of
men, and comforted her with the words, "Be not afraid, I am with thee."