Born in 1067 in Hainaut, Thierry was an exemplary monk trained at Lobbes before becoming a scholasticus at Fulda. Elected Abbot of Saint-Hubert in 1087, he restored monastic discipline and distinguished himself by his piety, making seven pilgrimages to Rome. He died holily the same year, leaving the memory of a great reformer and builder of churches in the Diocese of Liège.
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BLESSED THEODORIC OR THIERRY,
ABBOT OF SAINT-HUBERT, IN THE BELGIAN LUXEMBOURG (1087).
Youth and religious formation
Born in 1067 in Hainaut, Thierry was entrusted to his sister Ansolade in Maubeuge and then trained at the Abbey of Lobbes, where he progressed rapidly in the orders.
Thierry was born in 1067, near T huin, a city in Hainaut. Gouzo , his father, long opposed the desire of his virtuous wife who wished to consecrate their son to the Lord; but finally he yielded. His parents then entrusted him to their d aughter Ansolade, who, since her childhood, had lived in piety at the convent of Maubeuge (Malbodium, Nord), so that she might instruct him in religion. He received the first elements of piety near her, and, some time later, he went to complete his religious education with the mo nks of Lobbes, w here he made such great progress in the sciences and the ways of sanctification that, while still a child, he was appointed by the Archbishop of Cambrai as reader and acolyte, and admitted to the subdiaconate at the age of seventeen. At nineteen, he pronounced his religious vows, and successively received the other Orders.
Abbot of Saint-Hubert
After serving as scholasticus at Fulda, he was elected abbot of Saint-Hubert to restore declining monastic discipline.
His virtues had just raised him to the position of scholastic us at the Abbey of Fulda (Hesse-Kassel), when death over took Ad elard, abbot of Saint-Hubert (Andaginum S. Petri, in Belgian Luxembourg). Theodoric was elected to succeed him: he alone seemed capable of restoring the monastic discipline there, which the excessive kindness and indulgence of Adelard had allowed to fall into decay. His virtue indeed triumphed over the ill will of the monks, and the abbey recovered its former splendor.
Expansion and devotion
He developed the abbey's heritage, restored numerous churches in the diocese of Liège, and made seven pilgrimages to Rome.
The extraordinary piety of Theodoric earned him the esteem of his contemporaries: a wealthy lord donated to him the church of Saint-Sulpice, in the farm of Piros, where he placed monks from the convent of Saint-Hubert. Th e diocese of Liè ge was indebted to him for the construction and repair of a great number of churches and chapels. His deep devotion to the holy Apostles led him to make the pilgrimage to Rome seven times.
End of life and funeral
Thierry died on August 24, 1087, after exhorting his monks; he was buried by the Bishop of Liège at Saint-Hubert.
Worn out by years and infirmities, and feeling the hour of his deliverance approaching, Thierry had all the brothers of the community brought to him, and, vested in the insignia of his dignity, he asked them all for forgiveness and exhorted them to remain faithfully in the path of piety. Then he collapsed and gently rendered his soul to God. It was August 24, 1087.
Henri, Bishop of Liège, celebrated his funeral, and, on August 27, buried the body of the Blessed one in the convent of Saint-Hubert, before the altar of the Blessed Virgin.
Documentary Sources
Sources include the Acta Sanctorum, the works of Mabillon, and the chronicle of the Abbey of Saint-Hubert.
Acta Sanctorum , August 24. — Cf. Godeseard's Cautionateurs; Mabillon, Acta Sanctorum ord. S. Benedicti; and the Chronicle of the Abbey of Saint-Hubert, translated by de Robautz, Brussels, 1847.
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Frequently asked questions about Blessed Theodoric (Thierry)
Who was Blessed Theodoric (Thierry)?
Born in 1067 in Hainaut, Thierry was an exemplary monk trained at Lobbes before becoming a scholasticus at Fulda. Elected Abbot of Saint-Hubert in 1087, he restored monastic discipline and distinguished himself by his piety, making seven pilgrimages to Rome. He died holily the same year, leaving the memory of a great reformer and builder of churches in the Diocese of Liège.
What is Blessed Theodoric (Thierry) the patron saint of?
Patronage of Blessed Theodoric (Thierry): Saint-Hubert Abbey.
How is Blessed Theodoric (Thierry) depicted in Christian art?
In iconography, Blessed Theodoric (Thierry) is recognizable by: abbot's insignia and monastic habit.
Which saints were contemporaries of Blessed Theodoric (Thierry)?
Contemporaries include: Saint Stephen of Hungary, Saint Norbert of Magdeburg, Saint Bernard of Menthon (Apostle of the Alps) and Saint Bernard of Clairvaux.
When did Blessed Theodoric (Thierry) die?
Blessed Theodoric (Thierry) died around 1087.
What are the other names of Blessed Theodoric (Thierry)?
Other forms of the name: Thierry and Theodoricus.
Who are the relatives of Blessed Theodoric (Thierry)?
Relatives of Blessed Theodoric (Thierry): Gouzo (father) and Ansolade (sister).
Annexes & related entities
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Key Events
- Born near Thuin in 1067
- Education at the convent of Maubeuge and then at the abbey of Lobbes
- Appointed lector, acolyte, and subdeacon at age 17
- Profession of religious vows at age 19
- Scholasticus at the Abbey of Fulda
- Elected abbot of Saint-Hubert to restore discipline
- Seven pilgrimages to Rome
- Burial on August 27, 1087