Editing Gudula (section)

==Life==
Gudula was born around 646 in the [[pagus of Brabant]] (in present-day [[Belgium]]). According to her 11th-century biography ([[s:la:Vita Gudilae|Vita Gudilae]]), written by Onulfus of Hautmont, a monk of [[Hautmont Abbey]] between 1048 and 1051,<ref> Van Droogenbroeck, F. J., [https://www.academia.edu/3617946/ 'Onulfus van Hautmont (ca. 1048), auteur van de Vita S. Gudilae anonymo', ''Eigen Schoon en De Brabander'' 95 (2012) 595–643.] </ref> she was the daughter of a [[duke of Lotharingia]] called Witger and Saint [[Amalberga of Maubeuge|Amalberga]]. Her mother embraced the religious life in [[Maubeuge Abbey]]. Gudula had three sisters, Saint [[Pharaildis]], Saint [[Reineldis]] and Saint Ermelinde, and one brother, [[Emebert|Saint Emebertus]].<ref name=van>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07056b.htm Van der Essen, Léon. "St. Gudula." The Catholic Encyclopedia] Vol. 7. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. 11 May 2018</ref> She received the veil from the hands of Saint [[Aubert of Cambrai|Aubert]], [[Bishop of Cambrai]] (d. about 668).

Gudula was educated in [[Nivelles Abbey]] by her godmother, [[Gertrude of Nivelles]]. When Gertrude died, Gudula moved back to her home at [[Moorsel]], spending her time in good works and religious devotion. She was profuse in her alms for the poor,<ref name=butler>[https://www.bartleby.com/lit-hub/lives-of-the-saints/volume-i-january/st-gudula-virgin-patroness-of-brussels/ "St. Gudula, Virgin, Patroness of Brussels", Butler, Alban. ''The Lives of the Saints''. Volume I: January, 1866]</ref> and frequently visited the church of Moorsel, situated about two miles from her parents' house.<ref name=van/> Nothing particular is recorded of Gudula beyond the singular holiness of her life.<ref name=":0">[https://books.google.com/books?id=dUUMAAAAYAAJ&dq=Saint+Gudula&pg=PA779 Jameson, Anna. ''Sacred and Legendary Art'', Volume 2, Longmans, Green, 1891, p. 779]</ref>

Gudula died between 680 and 714, with the most frequent date mentioned being 712,<ref name="butler" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name="Lanzi" /> and was buried at Hamme ([[East Flanders]]). Later, her [[relic]]s were removed to a St. Salvator near Moorsel, where the body was interred behind the altar. During the reign of [[Charles, Duke of Lower Lorraine]] (977–992), they were transferred to [[Gaugericus|Saint Gaugericus]]' chapel in [[Brussels]].<ref name=van/> [[Lambert II, Count of Leuven]], (d. 1054) founded a chapter in 1047 in honour of Saint Gudula. Bishop [[Gerard of Florennes|Gerardus I]] of Cambrai (d. 1051) led the translation of her relics to the church of Saint Michael in Brussels. The church later became the famous [[Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula]].<ref name=cathedral/>

On 6 June 1579, the collegiate church was pillaged and wrecked by [[Protestantism|Protestant]] ''[[Geuzen]]'' ("Beggars"), and Saint Gudula's relics were disinterred and scattered.