Saint Walbert and Saint Bertille

Already commendable for so many reaso ns, Wal Walbert Frankish nobleman, warrior, and confessor of the 7th century. bert became even more so through his alliance with a princess of royal blood, call ed Berti Bertille Princess of royal blood and wife of Saint Walbert. lle or Bertilla. He found in this union a reward for the virtues of his youth and a new means of sanctification in the midst of the world. Authors provide almost no details on the private life of these holy spouses, who are known almost exclusively through the two children they brought into the world, Sa int Waltrude sainte Vaudru Daughter of Walbert and Bertille. and Saint Aldegund. sainte Aldegonde Daughter of Walbert and Bertille. These names, so popular and so venerated, will always be their finest eulogy. Let us therefore limit ourselves to recalling here these few lines from an ancient hagiographer: "Walbert and Bertille were both filled with an admirable fervor; they made themselves holily illustrious by the abundance of their alms and their devotion to all good works. Thus, in the bonds of conjugal life, they led a spiritual and entirely heavenly life."

After their death, their precious remains were deposited in the church of Saint Mary, a t Cousol Cousotre Burial place and pilgrimage site of the saintly spouses. re (Nord, arrondissement of Avesnes, canton of Solre-le-Château), in the diocese of diocèse de Cambrai Ecclesiastical district encompassing Cousolre. Cambrai. The chapel where the bodies of the two spouses were enclosed bore the name of Saint Walbert; Mass was said there in his honor, and each year, on the day after Pentecost, many pilgrims came to Cousolre with their pastors and their banners, to pay their respects to these patron saints.

Arte Sourdanne, Belçai, translation by Abbé Derbimbes, ca M. l'abbé Derbimbes Canon of Cambrai and translator of the text. non of Cambrai.