Gertrude de Nivelles

Gertrude de Nivelles (626 - 659), was abbess of Bubbles. She is the Holy owner of the town of Nivelles (Belgium), a procession to him is devoted once the year, Sunday following the Saint-Michel. Festival the March 17th.

Biography

Born in 626, it is the girl of Pépin of Landen (580 - 640) known as Pépin the Old man and of holy Itta de Nivelles (Itte of Aquitaine) (597 - 652), and thus the sister of Begga de Landen, Grimoald Ier and saint Bavon of Ghent. His/her father, Pip of Landen, mayor of the palate of Dagobert and King d' Austrasie are the ancestor of Pip the Brief, Charles Martel and Charlemagne.

Sainte Gertrude is thus resulting from an easy family which occupies a castle with Nivelles. This last, in will have died of his/her father, will have transformed into monastery by his/her mother. The two women then make prayer their principal occupation.

Become first abbess of this mixed community, Gertrude will be implied much in the religious life. It binds friendship with the Irish saints, holy Foillan and Saint Ultan. Animated by an insatiable thirst for knowing, she sought especially the perfect knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. Remain that Gertrude is especially recognized and liked for the assistance that it brings the most stripped to.

Following long sufferings, following the example Christ she dies in 33 years, leaving behind her the memory of a person of exception devoted through all Europe. In addition, nearly 1.400 years later, it is always celebrated each year in the town of Bubbles.

Genealogy

See also Pippinides

Gertrude de Nivelles was born in 626 and she died in 659.

┌─ X ┌─ Pip of Landen known as '' the Old man '' (585 - † 639), mayor of the palate of Austrasie (615 - 639). │ └─ X │ Gertrude de Nivelles │ │ ┌─ X └─ Itta (? - † 652). └─ X

Around the monastery

Around the monastery a city become important towards 1220 developed. The monastery became collegial which always animates the heart of Bubbles. Of Romance style, it suffers heavy damage during the second world war. The Western fore-part is destroyed. However, since 1948, of work of restoration are started. Carried out in several shifts, it will be achèvront in 1984. Nivellois, chose by referendum the shape of the central tower to them-even.

The Holy Tower Gertrude, annual procession, find its origins at the 13th century and reached its apogee at the 15th century. Today, it still attracts from thousand to two thousand pilgrims. Hunting containing the Relique S of Holy Gertrude is related to a course of several kilometers. In 1940, this hunting was destroyed in a fire, and, rather than to restore it, it was decided to entrust the construction of a news of it, with Felix Roulin in 1978. This new hunting is called contemporary.

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