Saint Rolende of Gerpinnes Christian Roman Catholic Wood Icon Plaque

Description

Sainte Rolende, born in the eighth century and died in Villers-Poterie (now in Belgium) about 774, is a daughter of the King of the Lombards exiled in Gaul. Refusing and fleeing an imposed marriage because she wanted to devote herself to God, she died while she was en route to a monastery in Cologne where she intended to take refuge.
Its cult and legend developed in the Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse, particularly at Gerpinnes where a “march” is organized annually in honor of the saint. Liturgically Saint Rolende is commemorated on May 13th.
Beaten by Charlemagne in Pavia (774), Didier, the king of the Lombards (in Cisalpine Gaul), is condemned to live with his family in exile, in northern Gaul (Picardie?). The exact location is not known. His daughter Rolende, who was said to be of great beauty, was promised in marriage to Oger, son of the king of the Scots, an ally of the Lombards. However, Rolende wishes to devote himself to God in virginity: she refuses marriage.
The shrine of Saint Rolende (work of Henri Libert)
Fleeing the paternal constraint Rolende set out to join the convent of St. Ursula in Cologne, also known as the “Eleven Thousand virgins.” Falling ill she halts at the castle-farm of Villers-Poterie where she dies 1. The year is probably 774.