SAINT ERMENBURGIS, WIDOW AND ABBESS - 21 JANUARY

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN JANUARY

Saints celebrated on the 21st of January

SAINT ERMENBURGIS, WIDOW AND ABBESS

The name Ermenburgis (Ermenburga) is derived from the old German ermen, meaning harm, quarrel; and burg, it therefore translates roughly as protection (protector) in the dispute/war.

Saint Ermenburgis was a daughter of Prince Ermenred of the royal house of Kent. She received from Egbert, who had her two brothers Ethelbert and Ethelbright assassinated, some compensation for this crime: a considerable piece of land on the Isle of Thanet, where she then founded the monastery Minstrey (Minster). 

Ermenburgis became the first abbess of this institute; her successor was Saint Mildraudis. Ermenburgis died around the year 670. According to Bucelin*, she was married to King Merwald, but with the consent of her husband decided to lead a chaste life, entering the monastery she had founded. (Jan. H. 338. Jun. I. 159. Aug. I. 109. Buc., Lech.)

Saint Ermenburgis is also commemorated on June 2, August 2, and November 19.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 2, Augsburg, 1861, p. 84)

*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 Ermenburgis 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