Exemplary monastic life in the Brie champenoise region in the 7th century, abbess chosen by Queen Bathilde to lead Chelles.
A young nun in the 7th century in the Soissonnais region, Bertille was chosen by Queen Bathilde to found and lead the Abbey of Chelles. Her life, dedicated to prayer, service, and the management of the monastic community, spanned forty-five years, inspiring fidelity and humility in subsequent generations. Her example still speaks today of constancy and grace in spiritual commitment.
A monastic life in the service of God
Bertille was born around 630 into a noble family in the Soissonnais region. From a young age, she was drawn to religious life. On the advice of Saint Ouen, she entered the monastery of Jouarre, recently founded by Saint Adon. There, she successively served as guest housekeeper, nurse, and schoolmistress. Around 657-660, Queen Bathilde established a new abbey at Chelles, in the Brie region of Champagne, and chose Bertille as its first abbess. Bertille humbly accepted this mission and devoted forty-five years to leading this religious community, which notably welcomed Anglo-Saxon women. She ruled with wisdom, charity, and rigor, maintaining a life of strict observance and prayer until her death around 705-710.
Virtue and gentleness in times of hardship
A famous episode recounts how Bertille, confronted by a jealous nun who insulted her, chose to leave judgment to God rather than seek revenge. Shortly afterward, the nun died suddenly, illustrating the power of Bertille's prayer and mercy. This story symbolizes her holiness, lived in patience, gentleness, and trust in divine justice, without ever abandoning charity.
Spiritual message
Take Bertille's faithfulness and humility as your example: cultivate discreet service, steadfastness in prayer, and faithful obedience. Her life invites us to dwell in the Lord's house each day, to surrender ourselves to his will, and to bear relational difficulties with gentleness, maintaining trust in divine justice embodied in the Gospel.
Prayer
Lord, grant me the grace of faithful faith, strength in trials, and patience in service. May I, like Saint Bertille, live as a humble servant, radiating your charity and peace.
To live
- Take a moment of silence to meditate on patience.
- Offer a simple service to someone in need around you.
- Read a passage from the Gospel about mercy and trust in God.
Places
The Abbey of Chelles in the Brie region, founded by Queen Bathilde with Bertille as abbess, remains a symbolic place of her memory. Her reliquary adorns the Church of Saint Andrew in Chelles. The feast of Saint Bertille is celebrated every year on November 5th, in remembrance of her devotion and her role in the spread of monasticism in the Île-de-France region.
Liturgy
- Readings/psalm: Verses on faithfulness to the Lord and monastic life (e.g., Psalm 27)
- Song/Hymn: Traditional hymn to patience and charity
