SAINT EMMA, WIDOW
The name Emma, according to some, is derived from Imme (bee); i.e. the industrious.
At the St Luidger monastery in Werden on the Ruhr (three miles north-east of Düsseldorf) there could formerly be seen, among other relics, an intact hand, which had next to it a piece of parchment, on which was stated the feast day of St Emma (April 19). The Bollandist* Henschenius (Apr. II. 962) assumes that this Emma is none other than that godly matron who Adam of Bremen commemorates with the words: "In these days" (namely around the year 1040) "the noblewoman Emma died , the former wife of Count Luidger and sister of Bishop Meginwerk of Paderborn, who gave almost all her great wealth to the poor and to the churches. Her body lies in the church of Bremen and her soul enjoys heavenly rest. When she was still alive, she bequeathed the Stiplage estate on the Rhine to the church in Bremen.” The hand mentioned above probably came from Bremen to Werden at a later date. (But. XIX. 468.)
(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 2, Augsburg, 1861)
*A hagiography source used by the authors
Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations
PRAYER:
Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Emma 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.
Comments
Post a Comment