LAMBERTO, saint. - Bishop of Maastricht, born there between 633 and 638, died at Liège on 17 September of a year prior to 706. Of a wealthy family, he was educated by Bishop Teodardo of Maastricht. After the murder of his protector, he was elected to succeed him, with the assent of King Childerico II (670). When the latter too was assassinated, he had to leave the diocese, because he was his personal friend. He lived for 7 years in exile in the monastery of Stablo. When Pipino di Heristal attained power, he returned to his diocese (682).
His apostolic zeal also led him to preach the Gospel to the pagans in Brabant, where he met s. Villibrordo several times. He was murdered in his house at Liège; it is not known whether this was through blood vengeance, according to the oldest tradition, or, according to Adone di Vienne, because he had reproved Pipino’s adulterous relationship with Alpais. Part of his relics is in the cathedral of Liège, while the head has been in the cathedral of Friburgo in Br. since 1190. Feast day: 17 September; that of his translation, 31 May.