TODAY'S SAINT (Bertille)

BERTILLE

Religious

St. Bertille was born in the territory of Soissons, France, during the reign of Dagobert I. She embbraced the religious state in 630, in a monastery of nuns at Jouare, four leagues from Meaux. In this abode of virtue her prudence appeared so perfect that though she was still young, the care of entertaining strangers, and the charge of the sick and of the children that were educated in the monastery, were succestion in these various offices that she was chosen Prioress, to assist the Abbess in her administration.

Her example exercised the most salutary influece upon the entire community. St. Bathildis, wife of Clovis II, having refounded the Abbey of Chelles, which St. clotildes had originally established, desired the Abbess of Jouarre to lead the novices in the practice of monastic perfection. St. Bertille was chosen to lead the colony, and she became the first Abbess of Chelles, about the year 646.

Her reputation for sanctity and the good discipline of her monastery drew to it several foreign princesses, among whom was Hereswith, Queen of the East Angles, who had been the wife of the good King Annas. Queen Bathildis herself took the monastic habit in this house in 665, so that St. Bertille became the superior of two Queens. Yet, she seemed the most humble of all her Sisters. She governed her monastery for fortysix years, increasing daily in virtue, and in her old age rather redoubling than diminishing her fevor. Her happy death occurred in the year 692.

PRAYER

God, You showered heavenly gifts on St. Bertille. Help us to

imitate her virtues during our earthly life and enjoy etenal

happiness with her in heaven. Amen.

Feast: November 7