St. Hedwig, Religious
Feast day: Oct. 16
A wife and mother, St. Hedwig is a model for all of us in how to live a holy life right where we are. Born into German nobility in about 1174, she nevertheless chose, as the Duchess of Silesia, to live a life of simplicity with concern for the poor. With tender compassion, she used her high station to help others and, together with her husband, founded hospitals and monasteries to support the less fortunate around her. She lived in humility and modesty, often dressing in second-hand clothing, and had few possessions as she chose to eat simple food. The mother of seven children, she patiently lived through the pain of seeing only three of them reach adulthood and only one survive her. Instead of letting grief overcome her, St. Hedwig showed an interest in her husband’s governmental affairs and used her position to help the poor. In all things, including trying to resolve bitter disputes among her children, St. Hedwig chose to do the will of God in even the smallest details of her life. She is the aunt of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, a Secular Franciscan.
At the loss of her eldest son Henry in battle, St. Hedwig responded, “God hath disposed of my son as it hath pleased him. We ought to have no other will than his.”
This was the spirit of detachment lived by St. Hedwig, who long before the birth of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, lived the “little way” — but as a married laywoman. Raised in a monastery for her education, she was given in marriage to her husband Henry, the future Duke of Lower Silesia, at age 12. When Henry succeeded his father, St. Hedwig encouraged him to establish a monastery of Cistercian nuns, the first of several Cistercian and Premonstratensian monasteries and Augustinian priories they founded together. St. Hedwig also brought the Dominicans to Bunzlau and Breslau and the Franciscans to Goldberg and Krossen. Her husband was influenced by her piety and began to copy her virtues as he ruled his people as their father by supporting the poor and the weak and in allowing religious practice to flourish in his land. St. Hedwig also assisted him in ensuring peace under his dominion, and once she had to ransom him from capture.
While taking care of her family, St. Hedwig always had the doors of her castle open to travelers and to those who were homeless, sick and dying. She visited the cottages of the poor and cleaned the ulcers of lepers in a hospital that she and her husband founded. She was an advocate against the death penalty and often helped soften prisoners’ sentences. Although German, she learned the language of her Polish people. St. Hedwig insisted on wearing clothes similar to what the poor would wear. Her prayer life gave her inner joy, and her love of God was exemplified by her tears and lying prostrate on the chapel floor while praying. St. Hedwig was particularly known for her devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and piety at Mass.
The humility of St. Hedwig could be seen in how gently she reprimanded her servants and how peacefully she endured land disputes between her sons. She taught all to fight against the prosperity of the world more than against its afflictions. She truly lived as if she were a pilgrim on earth waiting to return to her heavenly Father. This was a woman devoted entirely to God, and it is believed that the Lord rewarded St. Hedwig for her humility with the gift of miracles.
With her husband Henry, St. Hedwig founded a Cistercian convent at Trebnitz, which housed 100 nuns while the remaining inhabitants were young women of reduced families. At this convent, they were educated in piety and afterwards provided with the means to marry advantageously in the world or, if inclined, profess religious vows there or in any other nunnery. The construction of the convent was accomplished by criminals serving out their sentences.
After the birth of their last child, St. Hedwig and her husband chose to live in celibacy, and they pronounced a vow before the local bishop. St. Hedwig lived permanently at the Trebnitz convent following her husband’s death. There she lived as a Cistercian lay sister, not taking vows, so that she could still use her wealth to support several charitable causes. St. Hedwig prepared herself for death by focusing on the Passion of Christ.
In 1859, the congregation of the Sisters of St. Hedwig was founded in Breslau under the Rule of St. Augustine with constitutions approved by the bishop. This religious order focuses on the education of orphaned and abandoned children and has schools for young girls, as well as trade schools. With their work focused in Germany and Austria, they also have a house in Denmark.
Reflection
Dear Jesus, may I live for you as your child no matter where you place me on this earth. Help me to reach out in love to all, particularly to the disadvantaged, and to encourage others in good works.
Prayer
Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that the revered intercession of St. Hedwig
may bring us heavenly aid,
just as her wonderful life
is an example of humility for all.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
