medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (17. December) is the feast day of:
Judicael (d. 658) The Breton king Judicael was displaced by a
brother, so he became a very zealous monk at Gael. When the brother
died, J was convinced to return to the kingship. So he grew his
hair, married, and lived a pious life. He built monasteries and
churches, but still felt guilty at having abandoned the monastic
life. So he abdicated and became a monk again.
Begga (d. 693) The Carolingian (Pepinid) Pepin of Landen was a very
virtuous man, married to the very virtuous Itta. Two of their three
children were St. Gertrude of Nivelles and the St. Begga who is
commemorated today. Begga married, but after her husband died built
a convent (later a house of canonesses). The Beguines of Belgium
venerated B. as their patroness, but this seems to be a case of
mistaken identity because of the similarity of the names "Begga" and
"Beguine."
Sturmi (d. 779) Sturm (or Sturmi) is the first German known to have
become a Benedictine monk. He was a Bavarian, entrusted to St.
Boniface and educated at Fritzlar. S. prospected the site and became
first abbot of Fulda. He went to Italy to study Benedictine
observances.
Wivina (d. 1170?) Wivina was a noble Fleming who refused to marry,
became a hermit, and eventually became abbess at Bigarden. W's cult
was confirmed in 1625.
John of Matha (d. 1213) The Provencal John became a hermit, but went
on to study at Paris and become a priest. While celebrating his
first mass he was called to his life mission: to ransom Christian
slaves from the Muslims (probably shortly after the 2nd Crusade). He
became the founder of the Order of the Trinity, devoted to that
purpose.
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