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388 888 ST. HILDEGUND near Cologne, and placed it under the PraBmonstratensian rule. She was the first abbess, and was sncoeeded by her daughter B. Hedwig. The relics of both and of her son, B. Hermann, fourth abbot of Eappenberg, are preserved in the convent of Meer. Bollandus, AA.SS.^ gives Alexander III/s bull confirming tho foundation, the deed of division of lands between Hildegund and her sister Elizabeth, countess of Eanderode, and the deed of donation of lands to the monastery. Le Paige, Bibl, Frsemons, Migne, Die. dee Abhayes, St. Hildegund (2), April 20, V. + 1188. Cistercian monk, under the name of Brother Joseph, at Schonan, in the diocese of Worms — not the Scho- nau of St. Elisabeth (9). Hildegund's parents lived at the little town of Nuytz or Neusse, in the diocese of Cologne. Having for many years been childless, they prayed, and begged the prayers of other pious persons, that they might be blessed with children, and tried to deserve this favour of Heaven by liberal alms and frequent pilgrimages. At last they vowed that if God would give them a child, they would dedicate him or her to His service, and would themselves " take the cross " and make tho pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Their prayers and vows were answered by tho birth of twin daughters, whom they named Agnes and Hildegund. The children were brought up in a convent in their native town. When the time arrived which had been fixed for tho pilgrimage of their parents, the mother became so ill that it was impossible for her to set out, so, having made compen- sation by alms for the failure of her pious intention, she died in peace at Nuytz. Her husband made Agnes take the veil. He took Hildegund out of the convent, that she might supply her mother's place to him, and accompany him to Palestine. For safety and con- venience, he disguised her as a boy, cut her hair short, and called her Joseph. They passed safely through France, and embarked from a port in Provence with many crusaders. During the voyage he was taken ill, and finding himself near death, he instructed his daughter what she was to do when deprived of his care, recommending her, above all things, to preserve the secret of her disguise. He then gave all his money and valuables into the hands of his servant, charging him to be a faithful steward and careful guardian of his son Joseph, and never to leave him. From this point the biographers always call Hildegund Joseph, and speak of her as a man. Joseph, then, with his servant and guardian, proceeded to Jerusalem, visited the holy places, and returned to Acre (Ptolemals). One morning when he awoke, he found that his faithless com- panion had absconded with all his money, horses, and baggage. He was at first in despair at finding himself deserted in a strange land without the means of getting home, or even of main- taining himself; but before the end of the day he found a friend, who, although a iotal stranger to him, was prepossessed by his looks and manner, and touched by his story. This new friend had just arrived at Acre on his way to Jem- salem, and now took Joseph there again with him, and would have kept him in his company and taken him back to Europe ; but Joseph, not willing to be too long a burden on the generosity of a stranger, entered the establishment of the Templars, where he found means to maintain himself, and to visit all the places of interest in the Holy Land, which he had not had time to do during his first visit to Jerusalem. When he had been a year with the Templars, a pilgrim arrived there from the neigh- bourhood of Cologne, and inquired about a friend and relation of his who came from Nuytz. The Templars, knovring that Joseph was a native of Nuytz, sent for him, and when he had heard tho inquiries of the stranger, he told him he was the son of the man he sought, that his father had died at sea, and that he had been robbed of everything by his servant. The stranger recollected that he had heard that his friend had taken one of his children with him, believed the story, and took Joseph with him on his return to Europe; but just as they were about to enter the territory of Cologne, Joseph's benefactor died from