Gertrude Virgin Martyr
Acta Sanctorum, May 31
Source text: Public Domain. English translation/apparatus/encoding: CC BY-NC 4.0, Wroot Press.
https://actasanctorum.org/may/day-31/gertrude-virgin-martyr.html
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ON ST. GERTRUDE VIRGIN MARTYR
OF VAUXDIEULET IN LORRAINE.

A historical Sylloge on her cult, and Life not sufficiently certain.

Gertrude, Virgin Martyr, of Vauxdieulet in Lorraine: venerated on the day after the Lord's Ascension (S.)

[Col. 514C]

D. P.

[Venerated on the day after the Ascension,] The festivity of the Lord's Ascension,
howsoever the Paschal Cycles
may stand, cannot be celebrated earlier
than April 30, nor
later than June 3; whence
it comes, that the day following that feast
is always some day of May,
unless Easter be celebrated on April 22,
or some of the three following; which since not
so happens frequently, deservedly this Saint, who
on the day after the aforesaid feast is venerated, we refer to the month
of May, no day of the month being assigned, that it may be known, according to
the reckoning of movable feasts, through that whole month
and the first three days of the following month to wander her veneration,
and therefore this one to the whole month, under the title of Corollary
we subjoin at the end of the last day. The first notice of her
came to us, [Of Vauxdieulet St. Gertrude] from the Rev. Lord Peter de Waghenaer the Premonstratensian,
of pious memory once Prior of the Abbey of St. Nicholas
at Furnes in Flanders: who from the most ample formerly Lord Nicholas Lede,
of the same Premonstratensian Order, Abbot of St. Andrew
in the wood near Hesdin, had received the Life from the History
of the monastery of Belval, by a certain Religious of that place
more recently composed. But Vauxdieulet, where
the Saint is venerated, commonly Vauxdieulet, to the aforesaid Belval
Abbey in spirituals as well as temporals is subject.
That notice thus has it.

[2] That Virgin and Martyr Gertrude, by some
is thought to have been the niece of the holy Virgin Gertrude, Abbess
of Nivelles, the daughter of the elder Pippin: but the common
fame among the parishioners of the Vauxdieulet church
has it, that St. Gertrude herself, Virgin and Martyr,
was the daughter of a certain King or Duke of Brabant
as another St. Barbara; and that she received baptism,
and her virginity to the heavenly Spouse with a most devout mind
consecrated; and therefore the marriage, to her
by her father with a great earthly Prince offered, constantly
refused. Which when he saw, and the reason knew
the impious and heathen father; he wished, with anger and fury
stirred, [who fleeing the marriage offered by her father,] her to slay; but the holy girl for herself
by flight provided: whom long sought by two
of that Duke's or King's sons, of the paternal fury and wrath
emulators, and found in a certain place of Argonne
which Dieulet is called; first they her with harder
words upbraided, then with gentler ones soothed,
and there beside a certain fountain (which
she herself from God a little before had obtained for the ardor of thirst
to extinguish, when from the journey she was wearied, which
fountain even today famous for miracles, the fountain of St. Gertrude
is called) to sit they bade, again partly with threats partly
with blandishments they tempted, that at last to her father she should yield,
and the faith of Christ desert, and the offered marriage enter.
But she refused, and her heathen brothers'
impious attempts overcame: for the love of Christ
within in her breast vehemently burned, whence
by no threats nor any blandishments or promises shaken
could she be. Foreseeing therefore the blessed girl that to her martyrdom
was imminent, she asks and obtains from God a little
of time, [by her pursuing brothers be transfixed with weapons.] in which by prayer she might dispose herself for
death. Then suddenly her brothers being by slumber vehemently
seized, Gertrude into a neighboring mountain
ascended, where for some time she devotes herself to prayer; and to the heavenly
Spouse, whose nuptials she awaited, her soul
sacrifices; and to Him with the oil of grace, and the fire of charity, the lamp
of her heart kindled, she runs to meet. But meanwhile her brothers
awakened, when their sister they see not with
them, indignant the mountain ascend, and her
beside a certain tree praying transfix with arrows;
in the place where even today a stone Cross is seen:
and there, with the double crown of virginity and martyrdom her noble
soul, Gertrude to her Spouse Christ rendered.

[3] Not far from that Cross is a certain stone, having
the form of a sepulcher, about two feet from the earth raised:
under which they say was found the holy body
of this Virgin, [At her sepulcher a blind man being illuminated,] by a certain blind man from
the city of Stenay, about four miles from
Vauxdieulet distant. Who by a divine revelation of that sepulcher
the place when he had learned, thither himself led he caused; and before
a copious multitude of people, the earth of that sepulcher
to dig out he began. And when a certain particle of that
earth into his eyes had leaped, suddenly his sight he received,
and to God and the Blessed Gertrude thanks humbly
and devoutly rendered; the people acclaiming, that wonderful
is God in His Saints; by which miracle they began
those sacred relics of the Virgin in honor and veneration
to have. But when that holy body into
the church of Vauxdieulet they translated, [the body is translated:] and it
with great honor and joy they accompanied, on the slope
of the mountain so it stuck, that thence by no force could it be moved
further; wherefore in that place a chapel in honor
of that same holy Gertrude Virgin and Martyr
was built, where now is the parish church: in
which that sacred body is venerated, in an ancient chest
of bronze enclosed, with various paintings adorned, and the head separated
in a little coffer of bronze, in which is written:
Here stands the head of holy Gertrude brighter than gold.
In this Vauxdieulet temple are seen still various
paintings, [the history is painted:] the history of the martyrdom of St. Gertrude representing:
of which the chief and older is in the window
behind the altar, at whose foot of the painting written
is read in the French idiom: How St. Gertrude
by her brothers to death was delivered. In the same church,
on the right side of the high altar, is a chapel to St. Gertrude
sacred: in which are also various paintings, the history
of this Saint representing. But on account of the manifold
and well-nigh continual, which are done at this
holy Virgin and Martyr's body, miracles,
a great is had on every side concourse of people to
her sacred remains to venerate: of whom most, after
their prayers to God through this holy Virgin's
both merits and intercessions they have poured, and from
her fountain have drunk, whole and from their sicknesses
freed home return. Her solemnity yearly
is celebrated on the day after the feast of the Ascension by ancient custom,
to which thousands of men for devotion's sake
flow together. In the procession her Head is carried about
by the Parish priest of this church; but the rest of her Relics
are carried by two girl virgins. Her Office
both in the Mass, and in Matins, and Hours, and
Vespers, is done from the common of one Virgin and Martyr.
The church of the Belval monastery has about the middle
part of one rib of this sacred body,
which Fr. Peter Gaucher, the Parish priest of Vauxdieulet, [an annual feast is instituted,]
gave to it in the year 1632 on March 19: who attests
also, that no part at all is wanting to this sacred
body, except this part of the rib, and the joint
of one finger: which her cruel brothers, in testimony
of their slain sister, cut off, to the impious father
dwelling at Nivigella, with the same Virgin's
ring brought back.

[4] Thus from there. The situation of the Places agrees with itself: for four
from Stenay or Stenay leagues toward Rethel
to the West, in the typographical map of Rethel, [Certain circumstances seem taken from St. Gertrude of Nivelles] are noted
Valdulay and Belval Abbey, only by a half
league's interval separated: but how that region above is called Argonne I have not yet learned. As to the holy Virgin's
lineage; we do not at all doubt, but that the maker of that Passion
the names of Pippin and Nivigella and Brabant
received from the Legends of the celebrated Gertrude of Nivelles;
of whom we treated on March 17: and, after her Acts explained,
we asked, whether another Virgin of the same name, in
Franconia known (to whom likewise, Pippin, as father; as the cause
of flight, the refusal of marriage is said to have been) could be believed
the sister of Charlemagne, and so the niece of the Great Gertrude whom I mentioned, just as of the Vauxdieulet one some opine; nor
were we bold for the affirmative to bear a sentence. But whether that flight
was true history in the Franconian Gertrude, and
fabulously to the Nivelles one was transferred; or (which more truly
I would believe) to the Nivelles one originally was affixed by those,
who a cause invented desired of so celebrated her in Franconia
cult; credible plainly it is, [confused with the Franconian Gertrude.] that from one or the other she was drawn
to Vauxdieulet so much the more easily, because the Vauxdieulet one
was believed on account of her love of chastity, by her brothers, to her father
to draw her back desiring, to have been slain: which tradition
if true it is, and she truly had a father and brothers
gentile, I would say of the Salian Franks, not yet
Christians, them to have been. But how obscure these things are,
so certain is the cult; with which content from further
conjecture we abstain. Only we add, that the day, to the cult
assigned, seems from the time of the elevation or translation
rather to have been taken, than that on such a day her either
martyrdom or death befell. If anyone however thinks probable
it can seem, that the same who in Franconia dwelt,
through Lorraine fleeing across the Moselle and the Meuse
came to Vauxdieulet, and there died; he will not be able
of falsity to be convicted from the presence of the Body among the Franconians. For these
at the most pretend a little particle of her
to have, and this very one they could have received at Nivelles, whither
they believed their Gertrude at last to have returned, whence her
also on March 17 they venerate.

ON THE THIRD WEEKDAY OF PENTECOST ON B. BERTERAGMUS OR BERTRAM PRESBYTER OF THE ORDER OF HERMITS OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
AT FERMO IN THE PROVINCE OF PICENO IN ITALY.

IN THE YEAR 1490

A Sylloge from Augustinian Authors, especially from Thomas de Herrera.

Berteragmus or Bertram Presbyter of the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine, at Fermo in Piceno: venerated on the third weekday of Pentecost (B.)

D. P.

By the same right, by which to the end of the whole
month of May we referred St.
Gertrude aforesaid, [Why he is referred here,] we can refer
hither also B. Berteragmus,
from the first formation of the name
to be called perhaps Bertegramus: which by a softer dialect
to the Spaniards now Beltramus,
to the Italians Bertramus is pronounced. For he is venerated on the third
weekday of Pentecost, often wont to fall in May,
although also not infrequently in June; of which it
first the day occupied in the very year in which the Blessed is said to have died
in the year 1490, because Easter then was celebrated April 11.
But such a weekday rather seems chosen, because
either then to burial his body was given, or (which more
I would believe) was elevated from the earth, although now it is unknown
where it is; or finally for the greater convenience of the devout people,
abolished what proper originally it seems to have had Natal
or Elevation feast. Tamayus, in his Spanish Martyrology,
[who in the Spanish Martyrology is placed on May 14?] no Spanish Saint finding,
with which to adorn the day May 19, this one for Bertram
chose by his own judgment: but nothing could he add to the things said by Thomas
Herrera, who his ancient Cult proves by signal
and proper Hymns, formerly wont in his feast to be recited; which
to us for a history of his life can be, while lies hidden that which written
was, he testifies, but hitherto not to be found complains
Herrera.

[2] Crusenius in the Augustinian Monastic p. 3 c. 31, first
of him thus made mention: [Crusenius first mentioned him;] Still running the year 1490,
at Fermo in Piceno, from this vale of miseries, with many
signs of the divine majesty, was called away B. Bertram,
from a generous family in Spain sprung; after
for many years the eremitic life he had led, under
the obedience of the Prior of Fermo: in which time he never
either his lineage or family had disclosed; but disclosed
his virtues, under the eremitic little cloak hiding,
God: for when his body to burial was committed,
an Angelic harmony was heard. Crusenius's words into his ecclesiastical
Annals inserted Abraham Bzovius, at
the year prenoted no. 30. The phrase slightly changed,
John Naevius, in the Augustinian Hermitage p. 309: all of whom
alleges the latest collector of the Augustinian Encomiastic
Philip Elssius, from Herrera adding p. 128, that
the Blessed illuminated the blind, those dashed by a demon healed,
to the sick health, to the deaf hearing restored, paralysis
and the disease by the name of wolf took away. Each
receives its proof from the Hymns above praised: which
before we transcribe, it is better the fuller of Herrera
narration, p. 1 p. 98 expressed, here to give.

[3] B. Bertram, by nation a Spaniard, by lineage to us
unknown, by merits to heaven known, when from Spain,
in metals of gold and silver rich, [Herrera adds that in the year 1452 he came to Fermo and ministered to the Hospital,] but with so many
of Saints the inestimable pearls richer, into
Italy a secular Presbyter had come, and for many
years in the Hospital of Fermo most devoutly and most holily
had ministered, from the year 1452; that to God
more closely and more fortunately he might cleave, in the convent of the Augustinians
of the same city, to the Augustinian militia
his name he gave. There after many years of penance
and a most perfect life, with great opinion
of sanctity, [his Life written by a coeval;] from the desert of this world to the heavenly Jerusalem,
in the year 1490 famous for miracles
he migrated. His life wrote a coeval author
Thomas of Fermo, Lecturer of sacred Theology:
but time, of things and codices devouring and tenacious, either
consumed the little treatise or hides it. There remains however
of the blessed man a celebrated memory: and by his merits
God many benefits on those imploring help confers.
On the third weekday of Pentecost his body to the devout peoples
yearly solemnly is shown: and still are extant
ecclesiastical Hymns in his honor: which not
lightly indicate, Bertram, before the reformation
of the Breviary, [and proper hymns for his feast it exhibits.] with the public cult of the divine Office by the Brothers
to have been honored. I add also and with a proper feast; but
I know not for what day of the year; certainly not on any weekday
of Pentecost, when there would not be place for a proper Vigil of a Saint
or Blessed; and yet the first Hymn is inscribed,
On the Vigil of B. Bertegramus at Vespers. Those Hymns
also Ludovicus Torelli reported in Volume 7 of the
Augustinian centuries: beyond which nothing could he say except what
wrote Herrera. With these therefore content, the same let us exhibit.

HYMNS.

[Col. 516E]

ON THE VIGIL AT VESPERS.

Land of Fermo, rejoice,
which by Spain's gift
art enriched; driving away the clouds,
now that the star of light has risen.

A glittering star sacred gain renders
Berteragmus:
in life, in word famous, he opens
to us blessed joys.

Here rejoice, throng of the poor,
under Augustine's little mark:
wholly are driven away of crimes
the night, and darkness, and clouds.

For the clouded things the prodigal
of this one's ray illumines:
to the oppressed He is present with suffrages
the winged herald of day.

This herald in the water
in the cave the Godhead's having professed,
psalming feeds him mystically
the splendor of the Paternal light.

A light shining again to the Order
of the Father the provident Doctor,
is now exalted in the company
to the supper of the provident Lamb.

Through You Father with the Son,
and the Comforter Spirit,
from the contagion of crime
may He here cleanse us utterly.

Amen.

AT NOCTURN.

Let to the King of the Heavenly Ones
the choir sing a melody of gladness,
who to Berteragmus the reward
of the supernal militia gives.

While he for Christ serves as soldier,
by conquering himself he is not conquered:
thus against the enemies he fights,
who by war is not shaken.

A new husbandman is placed
in Augustine's vineyard:
which cultivated, while it is tended again,
rises an abundance sweeter.

To those oppressed by languors
sacred zeal he expends:
to the blind, prayers being poured,
the pious one grants suffrages.

Those dashed by demons
by a vow of salvation he shakes free:
thus, by deed, by vow, by zeals
he confers, when virtue suffices.

To the Father, the Son, the Paraclete,
honor, glory, and praise,
be by Berteragmus's merit
to us eternal joys.

Amen.

AT LAUDS.

The athlete of Christ is venerated,
Berteragmus, in the Churches:
who by many now is advanced
rays of miracles.

Limbs grow green again that were dry,
the use of nature is restored:
by the intent of an eager vow
the deadly poison is driven away.

For the disease by the name of Wolf
from the gnawed neck he casts off;
and frenzy, in the sacred
Breath, at the vow he casts down.

Let us add therefore to prayers
prayers: he who now in the height
of the poles rejoices in his seats,
may help us in exile.

To the Father, the Son, etc.

Acta Sanctorum: Appendix May VII
