Baring-Gould’s sources: Belgian and Gallo-Belgian Martyrologies. The life is from a MS. at Marolles, of uncertain date, but apparently authentic.
Saint Bertilia was born of noble parents. From an early age her heart turned to the service of God alone, and she delighted in attending the offices of religion. A youth of noble blood, named Guthland, sought her hand in marriage, for she was very beautiful, gentle in speech, and modest in manner. But Bertilia refused him, desiring to retire into a solitary place; however, when her parents urged her vehemently, she gave a reluctant consent to their wishes, and was married. Nevertheless, at her desire, the young husband and she lived together in all chastity, as brother and sister, serving the poor, and given to hospitality. On the death of her husband, she divided his goods with the Church, and built a great church at Marolles, with a little cell adjoining it for her habitation. One night, after long protracted prayer in the church, she returned to her cell, where she was seized with excruciating pains; nevertheless, she knelt down and prayed with fervour, and prepared her soul for its departure. After having received the last Sacraments, she fell asleep in Christ, and was buried in the church she had built at Marolles. She was taken up and enshrined by Gerard II., Bishop of Cambray, on September 14th, 1081; and translated to another shrine on the 8th October, 1221.
Patroness of Marolles, in the diocese of Cambray.
Relics at Marolles.
FOOTNOTES:
[17] The custom of blessing bread and distributing it amongst the faithful, prevails still in the French Church, as may be seen at any festival in a church of importance. The blessed bread is not to be confounded with the Holy Eucharist. It is taken about the church in baskets, and is a sort of sweet-cake. This is a relic of the ancient Love Feasts or Agapæ.
Octave of the Holy Innocents.
S. Titus , B. and Ap. of Crete, circ . a.d. 105. SS. Aquilinus, Geminus, Eugenius, and Others , Martyrs in Africa . S. Dafrosa , W. C., at Rome , a.d. 361. S. Rumon , B. C., at Tavistock, in Devonshire . S. Gregory , B. of Langres, in France, circ . a.d. 541. S. Pharaildis , V., in Brabant, about a.d. 745. S. Rigobert , B. of Rheims , a.d. 749. S. Libentius , Abp. of Bremen , a.d. 1013. B. Angela , of Foligni, in Umbria , a.d. 1309.
