Saint Amalberga of Temse

Amalberga of Temse (also called Amalia and Amelia; b. 741 in Ardennes, Belgium, d. July 10, 772 in Bilsen) was probably a Frisian venerated Christian woman probably a Frankish subject from the Ardennes, located back then in Francia. She was a consecrated virgin, and probably the superior abbess of nuns in a religious community. She is considered as a saint in both the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church, despite never being officially canonized as a saint. Raised by Saint Landrada, who founded Munsterbilsen Abbey, she refused Charlemagne's offer of marriage. Amalberga became a nun under Landrada and either succeeded her as abbess or governed a community of nuns on her own lands. According to legends, Amalberga experienced miraculous events while escaping from Charlemagne, including the healing of her arm after he broke it trying to force her to marry him. A sturgeon miraculously appeared to carry her safely across the Scheldt River. Other miracles reportedly occurred surrounding the appearance and provision of sturgeon and large fish, and she is often depicted with them. A yearly procession in Amalberga's honor occurs near Pentecost. Amalberga is invoked to heal intestinal disease, fever, and pains in the arms and shoulders. She is the patron saint of upper limb injuries and of Temse, Belgium. Her feast day is July 10. Amalberga was raised by and was the ward of Saint Landrada, founder of Munsterbilsen Abbey. According to hagiographer Sabine Baring-Gould, "From early childhood she was distinguished for her innocence, piety, and exceeding beauty". John T. Williams and his colleagues called her "greatly revered" throughout Flanders. In Williams' study of the historical origins of the patron saints of trauma, they state that Amalberga was famous throughout Western Europe at the time "for her remarkable beauty, nobility and devoutness".