St. Matilda
Saint Matilda
When They Lived:
St. Matilda, also known as Mathilda or Matilda of Ringelheim, lived from around 895 to 968 AD.
Where They Lived:
St. Matilda resided primarily in the region of Saxony, which is located in present-day Germany.
Notable World Events During the Time of Their Life:
- Viking Age: St. Matilda lived during a period of Viking expansion and invasions across Europe, impacting political and cultural landscapes.
- Foundation of the Holy Roman Empire: In 800 AD, Charlemagne’s coronation as Emperor established the Holy Roman Empire, shaping European politics and religion.
- Ottonian Dynasty and German Empire: St. Matilda was part of the Ottonian Dynasty, playing a role in the formation of the early German Empire.
- Magdeburg Cathedral: Matilda contributed to the establishment of Magdeburg Cathedral in 937 AD, a significant religious and cultural center.
- Schism of 1054: The tensions between Eastern and Western Christianity, evident during Matilda’s time, led to the schism in 1054.
- Islamic Golden Age: Matilda’s era coincided with the Islamic Golden Age, marked by advancements in various fields and cultural exchange.
Their Patronage:
St. Matilda is known as the patroness of large families, widows, and difficult marriages. She nurtured her family and supported charitable work and religious foundations.
Early Life
Saint Matilda of Ringelheim was born into royalty and married into it.
Matilda, also called Mathilde, was born circa 892 in Enger, the Saxony province of East France. Her father was Dietrich, a Saxon Count, and her mother was Reinhild, who was also of royal descent.
She was trained by her grandmother, who was the abbess of a convent. Not only was she given basic training in sewing, but she was also raised to pray and fast. She was a beautiful girl who took special care to give to the needy.
In 909, Saint Matilda got married to Duke Henry of Saxony, who would later become King of East France. In 912, Henry’s father passed away, and he assumed authority.
In 919, ten years after they got married, he was the successor to the German throne after King Conrad I.
The marriage was a very happy one, and Matilda gave birth to five children: three sons and two daughters.
Dedication and Devotion
While Saint Matilda was Queen, her husband bestowed her with riches. From these riches, she gave to the needy and built monasteries all over the city.
She was so pious, religious, and humble that it was recorded that her husband always resorted to her for advice. In 936, her husband Henry passed away and was interred in Quedlinburg, where Matilda would later build a monastery.
Matilda went on to reside in the monastery for some time, assuming the role of the very first abbess. She continued to oversee the business of her family and the throne.
She continued to establish convents with the possessions that her husband had left for her. She split her riches and distributed them to the poor. This further annoyed her sons, Otto and Henry, who never saw eye to eye.
Trouble began to brew when it was time for her son Otto to assume the role of King. She was convinced that the role was better suited for the younger Henry. When she tried to convince Otto to relinquish the throne to his younger brother, he became enraged.
Henry rioted against his brother Otto. This bitterness caused Saint Matilda to escape to her home in the country.
Otto’s wife, Eadgyth, went in search of Saint Matilda and urged her to come back with her. Matilda agreed and surrendered her possessions to Otto, thereby forgiving him.
Matilda’s son, Henry, was ruthless and continued to riot against Otto. Matilda warned him about his behavior, and when he didn’t listen, she prophesied his death.
After Henry died, Matilda was said to have built three more convents. Her health began to deteriorate. She was left in charge of the throne after Otto was crowned Roman Emperor in 962.
Death and Canonization
Saint Matilda was said to have spent some time in her last years in her convent at Nordhausen.
She died at the age of 76 on March 14, 968, after battling sickness for a while. She does so in her convent in Quedlinburg, where she is buried next to her husband.
Matilda devoted her life to setting up monasteries where young people could learn all about the religion. Matilda passed on the authority of the convents to her granddaughter in 966. Her name was also Matilda, and she was the daughter of Otto and Adelheid of Burgundy.
Saint Matilda was canonized Pre-congregationally. She is celebrated on March 14, the day of her death.
5 Interesting Facts About Saint Matilda
- Did you know that Saint Matilda is the patron saint of
Disappointing children, the falsely accused, Queens, and second
Marriages? - Did you know that Saint Matilda was King Henry’s second wife after
His first marriage failed. - Did you know that Saint Matilda’s son Otto probably started the Holy
Roman Empire? - Did you know that the Nordhausen convent was the last to be built by
Saint Matilda? - Did you know that when her husband died, Saint Matilda asked for
Mass for his soul, removed her Jewelry, and pledged poverty?
Prayer to Saint Matilda
O GOD, by whose grace the blessed Matilda, enkindled with the fire of thy love, became a burning and shining light in thy Church: Grant that we may be inflamed with the same spirit of discipline and love and ever walk before thee as children of light, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Source:[https://www.sainttherse.com/prayer-to-st-matilda-of-saxony/]{.ul}
