SAINTS BENEDICTA, CECILIA, AND RELINDIS OF SUSTEREN, VIRGINS - 16 NOVEMBER

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN NOVEMBER

Saints celebrated on the 16th of November 

SAINTS BENEDICTA, CECILIA, AND RELINDIS OF SUSTEREN, VIRGINS 

Saints Benedicta, Cecilia, and Relindis were three sisters and daughters of the holy King Zuenteboldus [Zwentibold] who is venerated on August 13. 

After their saintly father had restored the monastery of Susteren at Jülich, he entrusted his three daughters to the direction of the abbess there, who was called Amalberga, and had the consolation of seeing them being led to Christian perfection at the hand of such an enlightened teacher. 

The two eldest, Benedicta and Cecilia, took their vows at Susteren and, after Amalberga's death, were successively elected abbesses by their fellow sisters, while Relindis, the youngest, is believed to have died a as a holy hermit not far from Liège. 

The remains of the first two were once kept at the famous Susteren convent, and the memorial of Benedicta and Cecilia  is celebrated on November 16, which is mentioned in some Benedictine martyrologies. (Some writers list these holy Virgins on August 17.)

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 1, Augsburg, 1858)

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saints Benedicta, Cecilia, and Relindis 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.