Saint Begga of Landen

     Saint Begga of Landen was born circa 613 at Landen, Leige, Belgium. She was the daughter of Pepin I of Landen and Itta of Schelde. Saint Begga of Landen married Ansegisel, son of Arnulf of Metz and (?) Doda, after 639.¹ Saint Begga of Landen died on 17 December 693 at Ardenne, Belgium.²
     On the death of her husband in 691 in a hunting accident, she took the veil, founded founded seven churches, and founded in (691-692) a convent at Andenne, near Namur, Belgium. The first nuns came from Nivelles and introduced Irish monastic customs. Begga's remains are preserved at Andenne; her vita was written in the late 11th century. She is invoked for the cure of hernias and of infants' diseases.