ST AUSTREBERTA, VIRGIN AND ABBESS

ST AUSTREBERTA, VIRGIN AND ABBESS - 10 FEBRUARY

SAINT AUSTREBERTA, VIRGIN AND ABBESS

Saint Austreberta was the daughter of Count Badefrid, one of the first court officials of King Dagobert I, and St Framechildis (May 17), descended from the lineage of the German kings, and was born around 630 in Terouane.

SHE FELT CALLED TO RELIGIOUS LIFE

She cherished her virginity and planned on entering a monastery. She had scarcely heard that her father was thinking of a good marriage match for her when she made up her mind to implement her own plans.

SHE ASKED THE BISHOP FOR ADVICE

She contacted Bishop Audomar (St-Omer) for advice. After receiving the veil from him, she went back to her parents, who realised that their daughter was really called to serve God in the religious state. She lived happily and harmoniously under their roof once more according to her new status.

SHE ENTERED THE NEW NUNNERY

Then, to complete her sacrifice, she went to the Abbey of Port in the Somme, not far from Abbeville. Around this time the holy Abbot Philibert of Jumieges (Gemmeticum) had set up a new nunnery at Pavilly (Pauliacum) and St Austreberta was - after some initial resistance on her part owing to her humility - solemnly installed as the first abbess.

SANCTIFICATION AND PERFECTION

Sanctifying and promoting perfection in herself and her fellow sisters was her chief concern, setting a good example for all. Meanwhile the reputation of the convent of Pavilly for sanctity grew, and fathers and mothers came from all sides, begging the admission of their daughters.

A REPUTATION FOR PIETY

After a long and blessed leadership of her monastery, our saint died on February 10 (according to Butler in the year 703, according to the Bollandists around 704) and was buried in the monastery church.

HER RELICS

Thirty years after her death her mortal remains were raised out of the ground for public veneration, and most of the relics were placed in the Abbey of Montreuil (Monstrollum). She is also named in the Roman Martyrology on this day.

THE NUNNERY'S UNUSUAL COMPANION ANIMAL

[St Austreberta is famous for miracles. One such story, retold time and again, relates how our saint tamed a wolf with prayer and kindness. Henceforth, this unusual pet helped the nuns to carry their clothes to the river and back for them to do their weekly laundry.]

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, 1858)

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