Saint Gudule of Brussels

Biography

Saint Bertha of Blangy was born in the 7th century in France. She was the daughter of Count Rigobertus and Ursanna, who was the daughter of the king of Kent, England. Bertha was fortunate to come from a noble lineage, which provided her with a privileged upbringing. At the age of 20, Bertha married a nobleman named Siegfried, who happened to be a cousin of the king. Together, they were blessed with the gift of five beautiful daughters. However, tragedy struck when Siegfried passed away in the year 672, leaving Bertha widowed and responsible for the upbringing of their children all on her own. Despite her sorrow, Bertha did not allow grief to consume her spirit. Inspired by her strong faith, she embarked on a spiritual journey to dedicate her life to God. In 682, Bertha built a convent known as Blangy in Artois, France. This convent would serve as a place of worship, reflection, and community for devout women seeking a life dedicated to serving God. As the legend goes, during the construction of the convent, two partially built houses collapsed. However, Bertha, guided by her unwavering faith, had a vision in which an angel pointed out a more suitable location for the convent. This divine intervention ensured that the foundation of the convent would be sturdy and secure, allowing the community to flourish. After the completion of the convent, Bertha retired to join the devout women there and became the abbess. In this role, she provided guidance, support, and spiritual leadership to the community. Over time, two of her daughters, named Deotila and Gertrude, were drawn to the holy life that their mother had embraced. Both daughters joined Bertha at the convent, sharing in her devotion and commitment. Bertha outlived both of her daughters, witnessing their spiritual growth and ultimate commitment to God. When she felt confident that the convent was flourishing under the direction of her daughters, Bertha handed over the leadership to one of them and retreated to a cell in the convent. There, she dedicated the remainder of her life as an anchoress, living a life of solitude and deep prayer. This devout saint was known for her unwavering faith, her commitment to a life of service, and her profound engagement with God through prayer. Saint Bertha of Blangy served as an inspirational figure, demonstrating the virtues of perseverance, devotion, and sacrifice. Saint Bertha of Blangy passed away around the year 725, dying of natural causes in Blangy, Artois, France. Her relics are cherished at the site of the convent she built, where she dedicated her life to serving God and guiding others on their spiritual journeys. Though Saint Bertha of Blangy does not have any official patronages recorded, she remains a shining example of the virtues and dedication that can be found in a devout life. Her representation can be seen in the image of a nun kneeling at an altar with her daughter(s), symbolizing her commitment to prayer and her influence on others seeking spiritual enlightenment. May Saint Bertha of Blangy continue to inspire us with her unwavering faith and devotion to God, reminding us of the importance of perseverance and the power of prayer in our own spiritual journeys.