St. Trudo (Trond)

As a boy, Trudo, of Hasbaye, Belgium, constructed from loose rocks a miniature church. As a young man, he frequented the churches and gave generously to the poor. One night, after praying, he experienced a vision of an angel, who told him that he would be called to the priesthood. Ordained a priest in 655, Trudo was assigned to preach in the diocese of Maastricht, Holland. When one night Trudo was lodged in the home of a married couple, the wife, upon waking and going to an open door, saw emanating from Trudo’s room two blazing lights, one near the sleeping priest’s head and the other at his feet. Astounded by this marvel, the frightened woman fled and woke her husband, who came and saw the mysterious lights. Convinced that a holy man had come to their home, the couple begged Trudo in the morning to remain with them one more day. Trudo thereupon spent that day instructing them in spiritual precepts. At the husband’s request, Trudo also baptized the couple’s son. Usually, Trudo spent his nights praying in church. On his deathbed, making the sign of the cross, he prayed, “Direct, O Lord, the ways of your servant in your sight,” before breathing his last.