Arnulf, or Arnoul, was of noble Frankish birth. Ansigisilus and Begga had a son, Pepin of Herstal, the second of the three great Pepins, and the father of Charles Martel. Ansigisilus met his death while hunting. Begga then made a pilgrimage to Rome, and on her return built seven chapels at Anden on the Meuse between Huy and Namur, in imitation of the seven principal churches in Rome. She also built a nunnery at Anden like that of her sister at Nivelle. Gertrude had long been dead. St. Wulfetrude, the second abbess, was dead too. Agnes, the third abbess, took care to give Begga the benefit of all that she had learned under the holy Gertrude, and sent nuns to train the new community. They took with them a piece of St. Gertrude's bed, and placed it near the altar of St. Genovefa, in Begga's church, where it worked miraculous cures, and was adorned with votive offerings of gold and precious stones. The monastery of Anden was afterwards converted into a collegiate church of thirty-two canonesses of noble families, with ten canons to officiate at the altar. Begga is said by some authorities to have founded the Béguines, who devoted themselves to religion under simple vows not taken for life. The general opinion is that they were founded in the 12th century, by Lambert le Bégue, a priest of Liége. R.M. Cahier. Butler, Lives. Bouquet, Recueil, iii. 304, "Chronique de St. Denis." Pertz, Hausmeier, p. 52. Mabillon, Contemporary Life of St. Gertrude.
St. Begga (2), Bega.
St. Begghe, Bega.
St Begha, Bega.
St. Begu, having dedicated her virginity to the Lord for thirty years and more, served Him in monastic conversation in the nunnery of Hackness, built by St. Hilda shortly before her death. On Nov. 17, 680, Begu was sleeping in the dormitory with the other sisters. She suddenly heard the bell that called them to prayer when a soul was passing away. Immediately she saw the roof of the house open: a bright light filled the sky, and in that light the maid of God, Hilda, was borne to heaven by angels. Begu arose, found the sisters all asleep, and knew that she had seen a vision. Running to Frigyd, who ruled in the absence of the Abbess Hilda, she told her that their dear mother had that moment departed from the earth. They all arose and prayed for the soul of the blessed abbess until, at dawn, some monks arrived to tell them of her death. (Bede, Eccl. Hist., book iv. chap. 23.) Some modern writers identify her with Heiu, who is mentioned by Bede in the same narrative. They seem to me to be two distinct persons. Some think she is St. Bee of Egremont (Bega (1)), but this is mere conjecture and rests on no authority. Smith and Wace, Dict. "Heiu" and "Begu."
St. Bela, Oct. 28, M. with her father and mother, SS. Terence and Neonilla, her sister St. Eunice, and four brothers They were delivered by angels from bonds and torments of various kinds. They were thrown into boiling pitch, which turned into water and did not hurt them. Then they were all beheaded. Their worship is extensive, particularly in the Eastern Church. Their date and history are unknown. AA.SS.
Beli, German-Swiss for Barbara.
St. Belina, Sept. 8. Date unknown. V. M. of chastity, it is supposed, at Langres, in Champagne. Her head is preserved in the convent of Mores or Maures, near Troyes, and is said to have been cut off by her persecutor, the Lord of Landreville, a place near Maures. AA.SS. Martin, French Mart.
Baring-Gould says she died at Landreville, in 1153, was canonized in 1203, and her relics were dispersed at the Revolution. He also relates that her murder caused an émeute of the vassals, who burned the castle and would have killed the seigneur of Pradines and d'Arcy. He escaped, but was excommunicated and exiled.
St. Bellande, Berlendis.
St. Belleride, Berlendis.
St. Bemba, V. M. at Rome. Her festival is held March 28, in the monastery of Einsiedeln, in Switzerland.
St. Beneacta, June 29, Chastelain, Voc. Hag.
St. Benecutia, or Denecutia, May 14, M. in Africa. AA.SS.
