July 10 Saint Amalberga of Temse (Amalberga of Ghent, Amalberga of Munsterbilzen, Amalburga, Amalia, Amelberg, Amelia) Belgian Virgin who Crossed the Escant River on the back of a Sturgeon.
July 10 Saint Amalberga of Temse (Amalberga of Ghent, Amalberga of Munsterbilzen, Amalburga, Amalia, Amelberg, Amelia) Belgian Virgin who Crossed the Escant River on the back of a Sturgeon.
born c 741; died July 10, 772.
Patronage:
farmers
fishermen
young people struggling to stay faithful to Christ
those with fevers
those with bruises
those with arm pain.
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She was likely a romantic acquaintance of Charlemagne, who fell in love with her grace and beauty and pursued her for seven years. During that time, she continuously refused to marry him, due to her desire and calling to enter a religious life. On one occasion during which he attempted to persuade her physically to marry him, Saint Amalburga threw herself at the foot of the church alter, where she was unable to be moved from by divine and miraculous intervention. Charlemagne tried so strenuously to pull her from her position that he broke her arm, later miraculously cured. Soon thereafter, he fell ill, and only after repenting and giving up his pursuit of Amalburga was he cured of his illness.
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Additional miracles attributed to Saint Amalburga include communion with fish, especially a giant sturgeon on which she is reputed to have once crossed the Escant River. In memory of this event, local fishermen continue to offer sturgeon in the chapel of Saint Amalburga on her feast day each year. It is said that no sturgeon are even seen in the waters of the Escant, except on July 10, when one always presents itself. Similarly, sturgeon were reported to have been observed escorting her funeral barge up the river, following her death. And while she lived, Amalburga is said to have fed the masses during famine with the flesh of large fish which appeared opportunely in the river.
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Saint Amalburga is also said to have created miraculous springs in the fields, during time of drought, and healed many sick. A small chapel remains in her name, where miraculous cures have been reported. Her relics have resided in Saint Peter's abbey church in Ghent, Belgium since 1073.
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Eternal Father, I wish to honor St. Amalberga of Temse, and I give Thee thanks for all the graces Thou hast bestowed upon her. I ask Thee to please increase grace in my soul through the merits of this saint, and I commit the end of my life to her by this special prayer, so that by virtue of Thy goodness and promise, St. Amalberga of Temse might be my advocate and provide whatever is needed at that hour. Amen.