Bertha of Bingen
Encyclopedia
Saint Bertha of Bingen was the mother of Rupert of Bingen
. Her biography was written, and subsequently her cult popularized, by Hildegard of Bingen
, who lived in the same region, about three hundred years later. Bertha and Rupert share a feast day on May 15.
She was a Christian, descendent of the dukes of Lorraine, and had considerable property along the Rhine and Nahe Rivers. She married a pagan, who died soon after the birth of their son Rupert. Bertha devoted her energy to educating Rupert, but was struck by his precociousness in matters of Christianity. Inspired by his piety, she established several hospice
s for the poor. Following a pilgrimage to Rome to see the apostle's tombs, she gave away the rest of her possessions and came to live near Bingen
(called Rupertsberg after her son). Rupert died at age 20, but Bertha outlived him by 25 years.
Rupert of Bingen
Saint Rupert of Bingen was the son of Bertha of Bingen, a Christian noblewoman. His father was a pagan called Robold. After the latter's death, the child was raised as a Christian by his mother. Bertha and Rupert share a feast day on May 15.Rupert undertook a pilgrimage to Rome aged 15, and is...
. Her biography was written, and subsequently her cult popularized, by Hildegard of Bingen
Hildegard of Bingen
Blessed Hildegard of Bingen , also known as Saint Hildegard, and Sibyl of the Rhine, was a German writer, composer, philosopher, Christian mystic, Benedictine abbess, visionary, and polymath. Elected a magistra by her fellow nuns in 1136, she founded the monasteries of Rupertsberg in 1150 and...
, who lived in the same region, about three hundred years later. Bertha and Rupert share a feast day on May 15.
She was a Christian, descendent of the dukes of Lorraine, and had considerable property along the Rhine and Nahe Rivers. She married a pagan, who died soon after the birth of their son Rupert. Bertha devoted her energy to educating Rupert, but was struck by his precociousness in matters of Christianity. Inspired by his piety, she established several hospice
Hospice
Hospice is a type of care and a philosophy of care which focuses on the palliation of a terminally ill patient's symptoms.In the United States and Canada:*Gentiva Health Services, national provider of hospice and home health services...
s for the poor. Following a pilgrimage to Rome to see the apostle's tombs, she gave away the rest of her possessions and came to live near Bingen
Bingen am Rhein
Bingen am Rhein is a town in the Mainz-Bingen district in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.The settlement’s original name was Bingium, a Celtic word that may have meant “hole in the rock”, a description of the shoal behind the Mäuseturm, known as the Binger Loch. Bingen was the starting point for the...
(called Rupertsberg after her son). Rupert died at age 20, but Bertha outlived him by 25 years.