Saint Lutgardis

Life story

Lutgardis was born in 1182 in Tongeren, in the region of Liège in present-day Belgium. At the age of twelve she was placed in the Benedictine convent of Saint Catherine near Sint-Truiden. Accounts say the reason was that the dowry meant for her marriage had been lost in a failed family business venture, not a sense of vocation. After a vision of Christ she made her solemn vows at twenty.

In 1205 her community chose her as prioress; she had refused the office of abbess. In 1208, on the advice of her friend Christina, she moved to the Cistercian house of Aywières, near Liège, and stayed there for the rest of her life. The nuns there spoke French, while she was used to Flemish. Her biography credits her with ecstasies, healing and prophetic gifts.

She was blind for the last eleven years of her life and died on 16 June 1246 at Aywières. Less than two years later the Dominican friar Thomas of Cantimpré wrote the Vita Lutgardis, the main source for her life. Her relics were kept at Aywières for centuries; during the French Revolution they were moved to Ittre, where they remain. Her feast day is 16 June.

Works and witness

• Entered the Benedictine convent of Saint Catherine near Sint-Truiden at twelve
• Chosen prioress in 1205 after declining the office of abbess
• Moved to the Cistercians at Aywières in 1208
• Blind for her last eleven years; died on 16 June 1246
• Her life was written by Thomas of Cantimpré soon after her death

Saints from the same country

Saint Damien of Molokai, Saint John Berchmans, Saint Christina the Astonishing, Saint Mutien-Marie Wiaux

References

• Catholic Online, 'St. Lutgardis' (saint profile)
• Catholic Encyclopedia, 'Mechlin' (New Advent), for her death year and Cistercian house

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.