St Waudru

St Waudru and family

Married woman. Patron of Mons in Belgium. Waudru (also known as Saint Waltrude) came from from a very remarkable seventh century family. Her parents Walbert and Bertilia, her sister Aldegunde, her husband Madelgaire, and their four children, Aldetrude, Denteilin, Landric and Madelberte, are also all venerated as saints.

After her husband, the Count of Hanault, became a monk, St Waudru became a nun and devoted herself to the care of the poor and sick. She built a convent in the area where the town of Mons was later established.

She died on this day at Chateaulieu in 688.

The shrine of Saint Waltrude is kept in the collegiate church dedicated to her in Mons. Each year as part of the Ducasse de Mons festival, the shrine is placed on the car d'or, a gilded cart, and drawn by horses through the city streets.