Saints celebrated on the 8th of July
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SAINT LANDRADA, ABBESS OF BILSEN
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| Landrada and Amalia (Amalberga) |
Saint Landrada (July 8), virgin and abbess of Bilsen (Belisia, Belsena) in the region of Liège, was born around the year 620. She descended from the noble family of the Frankish stewards of the palace (Majores domus); according to some, she was even the granddaughter (neptis) of Pepin of Landen, and the daughter of Saint Begga [Bega] and Ansegesil [Auslgisus], thus a sister of Pepin of Heristall, a claim which the Bollandist* Pinius (p. 620, nos. 4, 5) disputes.
From her early youth, she strove for virginal chastity, for which she steadfastly and eloquently refused the marriage desired by her illustrious parents. She enclosed herself in the confines of a cell, where she led a very austere life. Even during a spell of a severe feverish illness Landrada spurned a soft bed. Moreover, she shone in all virtues and was granted heavenly visions.
Later (around the year 669), with unspeakable effort, clearing brush and carrying stones, she built a church near Bilsen, on the road from Tongeren to Maastricht. This uninhabited area had formerly been called "Belua" because of the wild animals that lived there. The newly erected edifice was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, and subsequently consecrated by Saint Lambert, Bishop of Maastricht. Landrada then took in several companions who led holy lives with her, and changed the name from this place from "Belua" to "Belisia," meaning "blessed dwelling" (Elysium), later called "Münster-Bilsen" [Bilsenminster].
After having done much for the glory of God, having fought and suffered, or, as her chronicler says, following the motto, "always living, always dying," a painful illness finally afflicted her. Landrada died peacefully, surrounded by her pious sisters, on on July 8, 690.
After her death, she appeared in a dream to Saint Lambert, who had hastened to her at her request, and determined the place of her burial. However, when Saint Lambert arrived in Bilsen, preparations for her burial were already underway, and when he then informed the people that Saint Landrada had chosen a different burial place, everyone objected, wanting to keep her holy body in Bilsen, where she had done so much good. Thus, Saint Lambert had to yield to their impassioned pleas and have her buried in the church at Münster-Bilsen.
Three days later, her grave was searched immediately, but her holy body was no longer found. It is said that angels had taken her to Wintershofen, where Saint Lambert was instructed by Saint Landoaldus. That Saint Landrada was buried in Wintershofen is also mentioned in the biography of Saint Landoaldus, whose relics were often exhumed and transferred along with hers. Her relics alone were also exhumed several times, most recently in Ghent Cathedral on July 31, 1720. Many miracles occurred at her grave. Saint Landrada is not included in the Roman Martyrology*; however, the Bollandists* treat her in detail on July 8 (II. 619-629).
(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 3, Augsburg, 1869, p. 673)
*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 Landrada 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
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