Amalberga of Temse
Saint Amalberga of Temse | |
|---|---|
Shrine of Saint Amalberga, with the sturgeon | |
| Born | c. 741 AD probably in the Ardennes then in Francia (probably in modern-day Belgium) |
| Died | c. 10 July 772 |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Major shrine | Ghent |
| Feast | July 10 |
| Attributes | a sturgeon depicts how she escaped harm on the back of a sturgeon |
Amalberga of Temse (also called Amalia and Amelia; b. 741 in Ardennes, Belgium, d. July 10, 772 in Bilsen) was probably a Frisian venerated Christian woman probably a Frankish subject from the Ardennes, located back then in Francia. She was a consecrated virgin, and probably the superior abbess of nuns in a religious community. She is considered as a saint in both the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church, despite never being officially canonized as a saint. Raised by Saint Landrada, who founded Munsterbilsen Abbey, she refused Charlemagne's offer of marriage. Amalberga became a nun under Landrada and either succeeded her as abbess or governed a community of nuns on her own lands.
According to legends, Amalberga experienced miraculous events while escaping from Charlemagne, including the healing of her arm after he broke it trying to force her to marry him. A sturgeon miraculously appeared to carry her safely across the Scheldt River. Other miracles reportedly occurred surrounding the appearance and provision of sturgeon and large fish, and she is often depicted with them. A yearly procession in Amalberga's honor occurs near Pentecost. Amalberga is invoked to heal intestinal disease, fever, and pains in the arms and shoulders. She is the patron saint of upper limb injuries and of Temse, Belgium. Her feast day is July 10.