St Hedwig

Widow (1124-1243)

Saint of the day October 16

Born in Bavaria, Germany, St Hedwig was the daughter of Berthold IV, Count of Andechs, and Agnes of the Margravite of Moravia, and the maternal aunt of St Elizabeth, daughter of the king of Hungary.

At 12 she was given in marriage to Henry I, who became Duke of Silesia (now Poland) in 1202. As Duchess, all her thoughts were directed to pleasing God and to sanctifying hçr own soul as well as her household and all she came in contact with. A woman of deep piety and gentleness, she wielded tremendous influence in the government, ensuring peace amongst the nobles, displaying much prudence and fortitude. She founded new monasteries, supported old ones, even introducing the mendicant orders such as the Franciscans and the Dominicans. Encouraged by Hedwig, Henry founded the first convent for women religious in Silesia, viz., the Cistercians at Trebnitz, in 1202. After the birth of their 7th child in 1208, the saintly couple avowed themselves to a life of continence in the presence of the Bishop of Wroclaw.

The death of her husband, 30 years later, saw Hedwig retire to Trebnitz in the Cistercian habit. She refrained, however, from becoming nun as such precisely so that she might retain her right over her wealth for the purpose of aiding the poor and the needy. Indeed, she allowed no one who came to her for help to go away uncomforted, be it a widow or an orphan, a student or a religious, a leper or a weary traveller, or a needy woman nursing her offspring. Even those in chains or in prison benefited from her largesse.

Considered a living saint and noted for her miraculous powers, Hedwig died on 15 October 1243 and was canonized by Pope Clement IV in 1267.