ST RICHARDIS, FOUNDRESS

ST RICHARDIS, FOUNDRESS - 18 SEPTEMBER

SAINT RICHARDIS, FOUNDRESS

Richardis undergoing ordeal by fire.
Painting by Dierec Bouts

Richardis (Rigarda), a daughter of Count Erchanger (Erchangar) of Alsace, was the wife of Emperor Charles the Fat, whom she got married to in 862.

HER HUSBAND ACCUSED HER OF UNFAITHFULNESS

The capricious, almost stupid man suddenly, after many years of marriage, accused her of unfaithfulness. [Charles claimed she had an affair with Bishop Liutword of Vercelli. Some suspect the reasons for this accusation were political. Richardis denied the charges, and even underwent trial by fire, a barbaric procedure that "proved" she was innocent.]

SHE FOUNDED THE ANDLAU MONASTERY

Vindicated, Richardis left Charles and founded the Andlau Monastery (Andlavia Eleon) on her father's estate near Schlettstadt in the year 880 and also contributed her ancestral estates in Maistrazheim and Krautergersheim towards this laudable cause. She also built a church in Sigolsheim and facilitated renovations for the Ebersheimmünster monastery (Stivagium).

SHE DISTRIBUTED HER BELONGINGS TO THE POOR AND TO THE MONASTERIES

She distributed everything that was belonged to her to the poor and to the monasteries she founded. It is not known for sure whether she took the religious vows. It is more likely that it did not happen, since she is mentioned everywhere only as the founder, not as a real member of the monastery.

HER DEATH

She died on September 18, 893 or 894 (according to others already 888). Her grave was glorified by many miracles. In 1049 the solemn exaltation of her holy body took place under Pope Leo IX. This elevation is considered a canonisation. Since then she has been venerated as a saint in Germany in the diocese of Strasbourg, and in France, especially in Etival, where relics of her are to be found.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 5, Augsburg, 1882)

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Richardis may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Sources of these articles (in the original German): books.google.co.uk, de-academic.com, zeno.org, openlibrary.org

WELCOME

Please pick your saints: January - Saints by date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 February - Saints by date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 ...

FATIMA APPARITION - 13 AUGUST

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN AUGUST Saints celebrated on the 13th of August Marian Feast Days WELCOME! FATIMA APPARITION - AUGUST 13 The Fatima Children “BUT IN THE END MY IMMACULATE HEART WILL TRIUMPH.” But in the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me; it will be converted, and a certain period of peace will be granted to the world. THE AUGUST 13 EVENTS On August 13, the children were in jail at Ourem. The civil administrator threatened to boil them in oil if they did not tell the Lady’s secret. Though badly frightened, they could not think of disobeying our Lady. In disgust, the administrator finally freed them. A large number of people, not knowing that the children had been kidnapped, went to the Cova for the scheduled appearance of the Lady. At noon, there was a loud clap of thunder. Then, according to an eyewitness: “Right after the thunder came a flash, and immediately we all noticed a little cloud, very white, beautiful and bright,...

BL. LUKE KIRBY, PRIEST AND MARTYR - 30 MAY

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MAY Saints celebrated on the 30th of May WELCOME! BLESSED LUKE KIRBY, PRIEST AND MARTYR 16th century houses, painted by Auguste Mayer He was born in the bishopric of Durham, according to Raissius ; others say at Richmond, in Yorkshire. He was master of arts in one of our universities; but going abroad to Douay, in Flanders, was received into the English college there, 1576, and made priest in 1577; and the year following sent upon the mission. Where he had not been long before he again went abroad, and travelled to Rome, partly for devotion, and partly for further improvement in learning. Here he remained in the English college till 1580, when he returned into England, and was not long after apprehended: for I find by a printed diary of things transacted in the Tower of London from 1580 till 1585, that on the 5th of December, 1580, Luke Kirby, Thomas Cottam , and other priests, were brought to the Tower from other prisons; and that these two, on the 10th...

SAINT FEAST DAY FOR EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR

Search This Blog