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St. Aldegundis
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St. Aldegundis started out life in a wealthy and saintly family in Flanders, about 639. As a young girl, she had visions of Jesus, and vowed to devote herself to him. Her parents wanted her to marry an English prince, but Aldegundis refused, and ran away from home. On her journey, she had to cross the
Sambre river, without a boat or ferry. Two angels appeared to her and told her to walk on the water, which she did, without wetting her shoes. In the forest across the river, she set up a cabin, perhaps intending to live as a hermitess. Aldegundis was made a nun by St. Amandius, the bishop of
Maastricht, and her cabin later became a convent, part of the Benedictine monastery Maubeuge. She also became the abbess for this monastery. St. Aldegundis experienced many detailed spiritual visions throughout her life, many of which were written down, and it likely that she was well-educated for her time. It is said that her spiritual life was so powerful that she once debated the Devil himself (he lost). Healings associated with her have been reported, though she did not claim any credit for them. Her death was forseen 9 years in advance in a vision, which was interpreted by another saint in her community. In 684, at the age of 45, she died of breast cancer.
Last year on this date, I wrote about Saint Agatha, and many of you responded in a strong way. While Agatha did not die of breast cancer, Saint Aldegundis did. Breast cancer is a very old disease, and was the first cancer to be recognized as such. St Aldegundis didn't let this disease define her or limit her personal work. She is considered a powerful intercessor for those dealing with cancer, sudden death, wounds, and childhood diseases. For many of us, having a patron saint brings comfort and hope. For others, perhaps St. Aldegundis serves as a reminder that how we lived remains long after us, and is so much more important than any affliction we had to overcome.
I don’t hate Saints, in fact the Bible says those who love God ARE saints. However, saints have no more power than you or I. They were good people but could not perform miracles when alive and cannot help us now that they are dead. Go to the Source of all comfort…the Son of God. Not a dead saint.
Im totally confused. I thought St. Jude was the Patron Saint of Cancer. Can you please clarify?
Thank you!
Amelia
Amelia has a good point. There are actually many saints which are linked with cancer: St. Peregrine Laziosi, St. Nektarios of Aegina, St. Ezekiel Moreno, St.Giles, St. James Salomone, St Agatha and St Aldegundis, AND St. Jude Thaddeus – patron saint of lost causes and the impossible. I’m sure this is not a complete list!
I have always found the lives of the Saints to be filled with inspiration for me and how to look at and live my own life. Thank you for telling us this legend. It has been told for centuries and is still worth reflection.
I am trying to find a medal of St. Aldegundis as I am dealing with bi lateral breast cancer now and am preparing to undergo surgery next month. Any where I have tried and it has been many have no idea of who she is or where I can get one. If you have any information about where I could get a medal please let me know.
So sad…….sorry you don’t believe you can ask for a saint’s help………someone already in heaven…………in the presence of Our Lord on your behalf……that’s why Catholics “pray to the saints” They can be our advocates as well as ourselves and our families here on pray……
HEre is the aldegundis medal. I wear mine everyday.
http://www.picturesongold.com/shop/exclusive_saints_from_picturesongoldcom.html
I like to say “We pray WITH Saints” just as we pray with eachother. Everyone living or passed can pray for us. God has one kingdom…in heaven and on earth. I have personally witness what praying WITH saints can do for many people in my life. It’s worth the time, and yes they are very much there to help us. Praise God for that!
I am Byzantine Catholic and believe the saints can intercede for us. I bought the St. Aldegundis medal and am praying with her for protection. God Bless
Ginnie…..the confusion is that there are people who pray “to” the saint. We should ask the saints to pray for us since the only true healer is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. You are totally correct on that part! =)
Ginnie said, “I don’t hate Saints…saints have no more power than you or I.” What power anyone has comes from God. God granted great power to many saints in the Bible. God didn’t die or go away. He is still here and continues to grant power when and where He chooses. We fail in that we do not respect adequately the power of prayer whether our own prayer or the prayer of those more holy than ourselves…Scripture says the prayer of the righteous availeth much! “They were good people but could not perform miracles when alive and cannot help us now that they are dead.” Ginny seems to have over-looked the miracles done through God’s saints in the Bible both before and after Jesus Christ. The Holy Spiriti continues this ministry of miracles in the history of the Church. And, sorry Ginnie, but I do not believe that anyone is truly dead. The body rests in the grave but the soul is in the hand of God…and is still busy praying to “the Source of all comfort…the Son of God.” He is not dead. His friends are not dead. We shall not be dead but only our bodies shall rest, even decompose, for a time until the resurrection, the restoration, of the body. The Catholic Faith sees and understands this broader picture.
Amen, Deacon Finbarr! I just offered a prayer for the intrcession of St. Peregrine for a friend’s mother who is currently battling cancer.
Earlier today, not knowing how I was going to come up with enough gasoline to get to a job interview– and coming up on a late hour to get any money– I prayed for God’s Divine Help, and asked the BVM, St. Jude, and St. Anne to pray with and for me. Lo and behold, a total stranger provided the resources for me to get that much-needed gas!
As I was filling my tank, I spotted a place of business whose services match my line of work. I also recalled where there was an Unemployment Office within 2 blocks. After filling my tank, I went over and printed a resume on their printer and went to the business inquiring about openings. Turns out, they have an opening that matches my skills so I left my resume there.
I continue to pray that I find favor in my interview. If it isn’t God’s Will that I have that particular job, I have faith that He will direct me to the right place– perhaps it was the place I spotted as I was filling my tank with the resources given to me by the unknown stranger. I’m asking the BVM and St. Joseph to pray with me, that I and all those who are actively seeking a job will find work. I have faith that it’ll happen.
I can tell you first hand that you absolutely CAN expect intercession from our Heavenly Saints. And surely they can and HAVE performed miracles in life AND in death. My prayers to Saints, and to the Archacngel Raphael cured me of a very serious liver disease. OVERNIGHT!!! Yes this is true. I had only days to live and NO medical solution. I began to pray over a period of three days. (Not even knowing if God was real…) God pointed me to certain Saints and Angels. I prayed to them , and I was cured, there is no medical explanation. I WAS AN ATHIEST PRETTY MUCH AT THE TIME. On the third day(when I should have been dead), I prayed specifically to Saints that I felt could help my particular need. I also prayed to Raphael our beloved Archangel, and the next morning I felt completely healthy. My liver was completely restored, and the blood disease which CAUSED my liver to deteriorate was absolutely undetected in my blood. After TWO seperate tests. Please believe that Saints DO have power. I am living proof of this. God WANTED me to pray to the Saints. please never doubt Him, OR them. God Bless you all…
This informational website does not contain all the information that I require for my upcoming website. On this soon to be website I do something called a Saint of the Day, where I require not only plentiful information about this saint, but also a prayer to the saint. When I searched prayers for saint Aldegundis, my eyes fell upon this page. I followed the link only to find, to my great dissapointment, an inadequate amount of Information. Please try your best to fix this and add as plentiful information as possible. Sincerely, Shelby Z.
Hi Shelby, I’m not the best or only source on this saint. Try this FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=129541711536&v=wall