Oda of Brabant (also called Oda of Anderlues; 1134–1158) was a

Belgian Belgian may refer to: * Something of, or related to, Belgium * Belgians, people from Belgium or of Belgian descent * Languages of Belgium, languages spoken in Belgium, such as Dutch, French, and German *Ancient Belgian language, an extinct languag ...

prioress of the 12th century, commonly revered as a saint.

Life

Oda was born to a

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family from the Brabant region of Belgium. In order to avoid an arranged marriage to a young nobleman, she disfigured her face. Her family then allowed her to follow the religious vocation she desired. She became a Premonstratensian

nun A nun is a woman who vows to dedicate her life to religious service, typically living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience in the enclosure of a monastery or convent.''The Oxford English Dictionary'', vol. X, page 599. The term is o ...

at Rivroelles, eventually becoming prioress there.

Veneration

Although Oda's ''

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'' has never been formally confirmed, popular devotion continues. Her feast day is 20 April.

References

1134 births 1158 deaths Belgian beatified people Premonstratensian nuns 12th-century venerated Christians 12th-century Christian nuns People from Hainaut (province) {{Belgium-reli-bio-stub