Reineldis and Companions

The Holy Martyrs Reineldis and Companions are honored as Saint Reineldis, daughter of Saint Amalberga of Maubeuge, and her two companions, slain by pagans around 680. Reineldis was the sister of Saint Gudula.

She was born around 630 at Condacum, identified with Condé-⁠sur-⁠l'Escaut or Kontich. Her father was Duke Witger of Lotharingia, and her siblings included Emebert, a priest in the diocese of Cambrai, Pharaildis, Gudula and Ermelinde. Her mother entered the religious life at Maubeuge. Reineldis made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and reached Jerusalem, according to her Life, written between 1048 and 1051 at Lobbes Abbey. Returning home, she made herself a cell at Saintes near Hal in Brabant and lived as a recluse, also devoting herself to works of charity.

When the Frisians or Huns invaded the country and all the people fled, she was left in the chapel with the deacon Grimoald and her servant Gondulf. The crowd of heathens attacked them there; they dragged her by the hair from the altar to which she clung and beheaded her on 16 July, around the year 680, and her companions were slain with her.

She is venerated chiefly at Saintes, of which she is patron, and some sources say the town owes its name to her martyrdom. The parish church has borne her name since the Middle Ages and keeps her relics; her reliquary is at Hal. A well at Saintes, called "Saint Reineldis's well", is believed to cure diseases of the eyes. She is commemorated on 16 July as a saint of the undivided Church, by the New Calendar.