St. Cuthburga of Wimborne, Widow and Abbess
3 September
Died c. 725; feast day also on August 31. Saint Cuthburga, sister to
Saint Quenburga and King Ina of Wessex, married the learned and pious
King Aldfrid of Northumbria in 688. After bearing him two sons, Aldfrid
gave Cuthburga permission to enter religious life. She became a nun at
Barking monastery under the direction of Saint Hildelith, and then in
705 with her sister Saint Quenburga, she founded the double monastery at
Wimborne in Dorset and governed it as abbess. The convent was strictly
cloistered. Saint Lioba, who was formed by Cuthburga, reports that even
prelates were forbidden to enter the nuns' quarters; Cuthburga would
communicate with them through a little hatch. Hagiographers describe
Cuthburga as austere with herself, kind to others, and steadfast in
prayer and fasting. This convent produced the band of missionary nuns
who helped evangelize Germany
(Benedictines,
Encyclopaedia).
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content © 2008, Ambrose Mooney
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Page last updated: 21 December 2008
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