Dedicated to works of mercy he was killed by his in-laws

St. Adalbald of Ostrevant

                                 

St. Adalbald of Ostrevant

Feastday: February 2
Died: 652

• Noble and martyr, who faced some of the most vicious in-laws ever recorded. Adalbald was the son or grandson of St. Gertrude of Hamage and was born in Flanders. He was a nobleman at the court of Dagobert I of France. Going to Gascony, in France, to put down a local rebellion, he met a noblewoman, Rictrudis, daughter of Ernold. He married Rictrudis despite the objections of her relatives who resented his military activities in her region. Both Adalbald and Rictrudis dedicated themselves to acts of mercy and to religious projects. Adalbald then returned to Gascony only to face his in-laws who killed him. Many miracles were recorded at his tomb, and Adalbald was named a martyr.