Saint Begga
Saint Begga (born c. 613 AD; died December 17, 693 AD in Andenne, present-day Belgium) was a Frankish noblewoman, the daughter of Blessed Pepin of Landen (Pepin I, Mayor of the Palace), the sister of Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, and the wife of Ansegisel (son of Saint Arnulf of Metz). Through her son Pepin of Herstal (Pepin II), she is the grandmother of Charles Martel and thus an ancestor of Charlemagne—making her one of the founding figures of the Carolingian dynasty. After the death of her husband, she made a pilgrimage to Rome, returned to found seven oratories at Andenne on the Meuse River, and eventually established a community of women there that became a chapter of canonesses. Her feast day is December 17.
Begga stands at the intersection of two remarkable saintly families: the family of Pepin of Landen on her father's side (which also produced her saintly sister Gertrude) and the family of Arnulf of Metz on her husband's side—both families producing multiple canonized saints within two generations.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Begga
| Saint Begga | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | December 17 |
| Profession | Frankish noblewoman; widow; foundress of religious community |
| Rel. Affiliation | Frankish Church; Andenne chapter of canonesses |
| Patronage | Andenne; widows; the Carolingian dynasty's spiritual heritage |
| Attributes | Crown (noble lineage); model of seven churches (founding of seven oratories); widow's veil |
| Birthplace | Landen, Brabant (present-day Linter, Belgium) |
| Death Place | Andenne, Namur Province, Belgium |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Collegiate Church of Saint Begga, Andenne, Belgium |
| Liturgical Class | Not included (universal calendar) |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Biography
Begga was born around 613 in the region of Landen in what is now Belgium, a daughter of Blessed Pepin of Landen—the powerful Austrasian Mayor of the Palace—and his wife Blessed Itta. Her sister was Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, one of the most beloved saints of the Low Countries. She thus grew up in a household of unusual sanctity, shaped by two parents who were themselves venerated after their deaths.
Begga married Ansegisel, the son of Saint Arnulf of Metz—another great figure of the early Frankish Church. The marriage united two of the most important saintly families of Merovingian Francia. Their son was Pepin of Herstal (Pepin II), the Mayor of the Palace who reunited the Frankish kingdom; his son was Charles Martel, the defender of Europe at the Battle of Tours (732); and his grandson was Charlemagne.
After the murder of her husband Ansegisel (killed by a rival nobleman), Begga made a pilgrimage to Rome. On her return she settled at Andenne on the Meuse River, where she founded seven oratories (small chapels) in honor of the seven basilicas of Rome she had visited on pilgrimage. She eventually established a community of religious women at Andenne that became a chapter of canonesses, which she governed until her death on December 17, 693 AD.
Significant events
- Born c. 613; daughter of Blessed Pepin of Landen; sister of Saint Gertrude of Nivelles.
- Married Ansegisel, son of Saint Arnulf of Metz; mother of Pepin of Herstal.
- After her husband's murder, made a pilgrimage to Rome.
- Founded seven oratories at Andenne and established a chapter of canonesses there.
- Died December 17, 693 AD in Andenne; feast established on December 17.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Landen, Brabant (present-day Linter, Belgium)
Death location: Andenne, Namur Province, Belgium
Notable location: Town where she founded seven oratories and a chapter of canonesses; center of her veneration (Andenne, Namur Province, Belgium)
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Collegiate Church of Saint Begga, Andenne, Belgium — the successor church to her foundation; center of her veneration.
Feast day
December 17
Veneration
Saint Begga is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church with a feast day on December 17, particularly in Belgium and in the Diocese of Namur.
Prayers
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