St. Reinildis of Saintes

  Posted on August 24, 2024  by admin  No comments

Born: c.630 in her father’s house in Kontich, Belgium

Died: beheaded c.700 outside a chapel in Saintes (in modern Halle), Belgium, relics enshrined in the parish church of Sainte-Reinildis in Saintes, which is thought to have been built on the site of her martyrdom, there is a nearby well whose water is reputed to cure eye diseases, which led to the patronage of Reinildis for those problems

Patronage: against eye disease, against festering wounds, Saintes, Belgium.

Also known as Reinildis of Condacum, Reinildis of Kontich, Rainelde, Raineldis, Reinaldes, Reineldis, Reinhild

Born to the nobility, the daughter of Saint Amalburga and Duke Witger of Lorraine; sister of Saint Gudula of Brussels and Saint Emebert of Cambrai. She was taught her faith by her mother. As an adult, Reinildis made private vows to devote herself to God, gave her possessions to the abbey of Lobbes where she stayed for two years, and became a pilgrim to the Holy Lands, bringing back many relics. Hermitess at Saintes, Belgium. Martyred by pagan Frisian invaders.