Baring-Gould’s sources: Belgian and Gallican Martyrologies. Authority A life founded on popular tradition, of no very ancient date.] This virgin Martyr was the daughter of Witiger and S. Amalberga (July 10th), her brother was S. Aldebert, bishop of Cambrai, and her sister, S. Gudula (Jan. 8 th). When Witiger and his wife, advanced in years, retired into religious houses, S. Reinildis and her sister disposed of their worldly goods and resolved to follow their example. They retired to the abbey of Lobbes, but as the monks refused to admit women within their walls, S. Gudula departed to Morselle, on the Meuse. But according to the legend, Reinildis remained for three days and nights outside the doors of the abbey praying. On the third night the doors burst open of their own accord, and when the monks rushed to see the cause, they found Reynildis in the church, with her arms extended, in prayer before the cross. She had taught the monks that a woman will have her own way; and that it was in vain for them to put up bolts and bars against a woman who has at once made up her mind to get within their doors. Having taught them this lesson, she did not care further to trouble them with her preOur Lady of Mount CarmeL 407 sence, but retired to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

On her return, laden with relics [the bodily remains of a saint, or objects they used, kept with honor], she was received everywhere with admiration and respect. She distributed the relics in all directions, and then settled down by the church of Saintes, near Hal, in Hainault, with a sub-deacon, Grimoald, and a servant, named Gundulf. The Huns [nomadic invaders from Central Asia, led in the 5th century by Attila] at this time made their terrible invasion of Germany, and their advanced posts swept Hainault and Brabant. Some of these barbarians came to Saintes, where they killed S. Reynildis, Grimoald and Gundulf. Their relics are shown to this day at Saintes.