Blessed Bertha of Mardais
First Abbess of Marquette
A Flemish noblewoman and relative of Countess Joan of Constantinople, Berthe became the widow of the Lord of Mulembais before retiring to the monastery of Aywières. In 1226, she was chosen to become the first abbess of the Abbey of Marquette, which she led with wisdom for twenty years. She died in 1247 during a visit to the monastery of Eparmaille.
Guided reading
4 reading sections
BLESSED BERTHE DE MARDAIS,
Origins and early life
Coming from the Flemish nobility and a relative of Countess Jeanne, Berthe became a widow prematurely after her marriage to the Lord of Mulembais.
Blessed Berthe was des La bienheureuse Berthe 13th-century Cistercian abbess, first superior of the Abbey of Marquette. cended from a noble and powerful family of the land: she was a relative of the Countess of Flanders, Jeanne of Constantinople Jeanne de Constantinople Countess of Flanders and Hainaut, protector of the order. . Her happy nature, carefully cultivated by religious parents, and the blessing of heaven, made her an accomplished young person in a few years. The Lord of Mulembais, whom she m Le seigneur de Mulembais Husband of Berthe, died prematurely. arried on the advice of her relatives, was taken from her by a premature death. The young widow, then free from all engagements, embraced the religious state at the mo nastery of Aywières, monastère d'Aywières Monastery in Brabant where Bertha began her religious life. in Brabant. A way of life so new to her never discouraged her. She knew how to submit like a simple novice to the prescriptions of the Rule and to practice with admirable fervor all the duties of her profession.
Monastic Vocation at Aywières
Freed from her worldly engagements, she embraced the religious life at the monastery of Aywières in Brabant, distinguishing herself by her fervor and obedience.
Blessed Bertha had been enjoying the sweetness of this life of silence and piety for some years when the Countess of Flanders, Jeanne, having founded (1226) the abbey of M arquette, or Repos- abbaye de Marquette Cistercian abbey founded in 1226, led by Berthe for twenty years. Notre-Dame (Reclimatarium, Bona requies Beata Maria, Order of Cî teaux), wished t Ordre de Cîteaux Monastic order to which Bertrand and the Abbey of Grandselve belong. o entrust its direction to her cousin. It was necessary to do a sort of violence to the humble nun of Aywières to persuade her to yield to the pressing requests addressed to her. God blessed her sacrifice. The prudence with which He had filled her, and her fidelity in the fulfillment of all the duties of her office, inspired in a short time an excellent spirit in the pious daughters who had placed themselves under her guidance. This religious house truly became the edification of the whole region. Blessed Bertha had been directing it with wisdom for twenty years when she fell ill and died at the monastery of Eparmaille, near Bruges, which she had monastère d'Eparmaille Place of death of Berthe, located near Bruges. been obliged to visit (1247). Her body, brought back to Marquette, was buried in the convent.
Foundation and direction of Marquette
Solicited by her cousin Countess Jeanne, she humbly accepted to direct the new Cistercian abbey of Marquette starting in 1226.
When, in 1619, Mgr Jean Dave, B Mgr Jean Dave Bishop of Namur in the 17th century, author of a hagiographic catalogue. ishop of Namur, wrote the catalogue of holy, venerable, and blessed women of his diocese, he did not forget the abbess of Marquette, who had so edified the monastery of Aywières where her memory was preserved for a long time.
Passing and hagiographic recognition
She died in 1247 during a visit to Eparmaille; her memory was recorded later in the catalogue of the saints of the diocese of Namur in 1619.
Abbot Dextombes. — Cf. Raloxina, *Auct. ad Nat. SS. Belgii*.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Marriage to the Lord of Mulembais
- Premature widowhood
- Entered the monastery of Aywières in Brabant
- Appointed as the first abbess of Marquette in 1226
- Directed the Abbey of Marquette for twenty years
- Died at the monastery of Eparmaille in 1247
Quotes
-
Reclimatarium, Bona requies Beata Maria
Latin name of the Marquette Abbey cited in the text