St Notburga

September 14

St Notburga (c. 1265-1313) This saint was the daughter of poor peasants. And being poor, she worked as a maidservant for Count Henry of Rattenberg, in the Tyrol. Of simple habits and extremely pious, Notburga was known for her charitable ways. She gave away leftovers from the kitchen to the poor and the hungry, sometimes even more than just leftovers, much to the consternation of the Count’s wife, Ottilia. Repeated unheeded reproaches later, the infuriated Ottilia summarily dismissed her from the job. Thereupon, Notburga went to work as a servant to a humble farmer in his fields, where she -came to be known for her piety and miraculous signs.

In the meanwhile, Count Henry had begun suffering a serious run of misfortune and setbacks. Soon after his wife’s death, therefore, he lost no time in restoring Notburga to her post in his house, at which she remained the rest of her life, the fame of her miracles and concern for the poor steadily spreading.

St Notburga is the patroness of peasants and servants.