Lietbert of Cambrai-Arras, St.
LIETBERT OF CAMBRAI-ARRAS, ST.
Bishop of Cambrai; b. Brabant, Belgium; d. June 23, 1076. Lietbert (Liébert, Libert) became bishop of cambrai in 1051, succeeding his uncle Gerard. He labored zealously for the peace and well-being of his people, protecting them from the extortions of Hugo, his bailiff, and those of Jean, castellan of Cambrai, who exiled him. After returning in triumph to his see, Lietbert led a pilgrimage to the Holy Land (1054). He was forced to turn back when he heard that the Saracens had closed the Holy Sepulcher. Upon his return Lietbert gained a reputation as a builder for his establishment of the monastery and basilica of the Holy Sepulcher and for his construction of the churches of St. Croix and Saint-Vaast in Cambrai.
Feast: June 23.
Bibliography: Acta Sanctorum June 5 (1867): 498–516. Bibliotheca hagiographica latina antiquae et mediae aetatis, 2 v. (Brussels 1898–1901) 1:4928–4929. É. de moreau, Histoire de l'Église en Belgique (2d ed. Brussels 1945–) 2:21–25. h. lancelin, Histoire du diocèse de Cambrai (Valenciennes 1946) 95–98.
[d. s. buczek]