Saint Gundelinde
Daughter of the Duke of Alsace and niece of Saint Odile, Gundelinde became Abbess of Niedermunster in 722. She led her monastery with piety until her death in the mid-8th century. Her relics, saved from a fire in 1542, were later divided between Molsheim and Einsiedeln.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
Guided reading
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SAINT GUNDELINDE, ABBESS (8th century).
Origins and education
Gundelinde, daughter of Duke Adelbert of Alsace, was trained in the religious life by her aunt Saint Odile in the monasteries of Hohenbourg and Niedermunster.
Gundelinde was the daught er of Ad elbert, Duke o f Alsace, and sister of Sa int Attala and Sai nt Eugenia. She was ra ised by Sain t Odile, her aunt, who governed the two monasterie s of Hohen bourg a nd Niedermuns ter or Bas-Moutier.
Accession to the abbacy
In 722, after the death of Saint Odile, Gundelinde was elected abbess of Niedermunster while her sister Eugenie took charge of Hohenbourg.
After the death of her aunt, Gundelinde was elected abbess of Niedermunster at the same time that her sis ter Eugenie became abbess of Hohenbourg. This was in the year 722.
Death and initial veneration
She died in the middle of the 8th century and her remains were honored in a silver reliquary until the monastery fire in 1542.
Gundelinde followed in the footsteps of her aunt and upon her death, which occurred around the middle of the 8th century, she was buried in the monastery church. Later, her body was placed in a silver reliquary which was set upon the altar where it remained until 1542, when the monastery was consumed by a fire.
Translation of relics and sources
Following the wars of religion in Alsace, her relics were transferred to Moosheim and to Our Lady of the Hermits.
The wars of religion which were then devastatin g Alsa ce having prevented its rebuilding, the relics of the Saint were transported partly to the collegiate church of Moos heim and partly to Ou r Lady of the Hermits.
Pétin Dictionary.
Iconography
Signs and attributes
Entities
Narrative network
The names, places, and concepts most present in the entry, weighted by centrality in the text.
Frequently asked questions about Saint Gundelinde
Who was Saint Gundelinde?
Daughter of the Duke of Alsace and niece of Saint Odile, Gundelinde became Abbess of Niedermunster in 722. She led her monastery with piety until her death in the mid-8th century. Her relics, saved from a fire in 1542, were later divided between Molsheim and Einsiedeln.
What is Saint Gundelinde the patron saint of?
Patronage of Saint Gundelinde: Niedermunster.
How is Saint Gundelinde depicted in Christian art?
In iconography, Saint Gundelinde is recognizable by: silver reliquary.
Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Gundelinde?
Contemporaries include: Saint Hidulph of Trier, Saint Ghislain (Guillain), Saint Lambert (Landebert) and Saint Amand of Maastricht.
When did Saint Gundelinde die?
Saint Gundelinde died around 800.
Who are the relatives of Saint Gundelinde?
Relatives of Saint Gundelinde: Adelbert (father), Sainte Attale (sister), Sainte Eugénie (sister) and Sainte Odile (aunt).
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Educated by her aunt Saint Odile
- Election as abbess of Niedermunster in 722
- Translation of her relics into a silver reliquary
- Monastery fire in 1542
- Transfer of relics to Moosheim and Our Lady of the Hermits