Amalberga of Temse
Encyclopedia
Amalberga of Temse was a Lotharingian woman celebrated as a saint
in the Roman Catholic 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 Charles Martel
. Her biographer (Goscelin of Canterbury
) says that he would have sought a marriage from her. She refused and prostrated herself at a church altar. When 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 God to heal him.
The virgin Amalberga of Temse is not to be confused with Amalberga of Maubeuge
.
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
in the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. She is especially venerated in Temse
Temse
Temse is a municipality located in Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium, and in the Flemish province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Elversele, Steendorp, Temse proper and Tielrode. On January 1, 2006 Temse had a total population of 26,287...
, Ghent
Ghent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...
, Munsterbilzen and other parts of Flanders
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
. Many miracles, such as crossing a river on a giant fish
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
, are attributed to her.
Her vita is connected to Charles Martel
Charles Martel
Charles Martel , also known as Charles the Hammer, was a Frankish military and political leader, who served as Mayor of the Palace under the Merovingian kings and ruled de facto during an interregnum at the end of his life, using the title Duke and Prince of the Franks. In 739 he was offered the...
. Her biographer (Goscelin of Canterbury
Goscelin
Goscelin of Saint-Bertin was a Benedictine hagiographical writer, born between 1020–1035 and who died shortly after 1107...
) says that he would have sought a marriage from her. She refused and prostrated herself at a church altar. When 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 God to heal him.
The virgin Amalberga of Temse is not to be confused with Amalberga of Maubeuge
Amalberga of Maubeuge
Saint Amalberga of Maubeuge was a Lotharingian saint who lived in the 7th century. She is said to have been the sister or niece of Pippin of Landen. She married Count Witger, Duke of Lotharingia and Count of Brabant. She was the mother of Saint Emebert, Saint Reineldis, Saint Pharaildis and Saint...
.