St. Hedwig

Someone was asking about St. Hedwig a few weeks ago, so today we will learn the story of this obscure medieval Saint.

Hedwig (Jadwiga in Polish) was born in 1174 into the Bavarian House of Andechs, a Geman line of feudal princes. She was married at the age of twelve to Henry I (18) the Bearded, heir to the duchy of Silesia in modern day Poland. Early marriage between children of noble families was common at that time to cement family ties.

Hedwig and Henry led very pious lives. They had seven children, most of whom died young. Only one son survived to manhood - and he was killed while resisting the Mongol invasion in 1241.

As a widow, Hedwig moved into a monastery where her daughter, Gertrude, was Abbess. Because she wanted to remain free to perform acts of charity on behalf of the poor and the sick, she never joined the monastery as a religious sister. She survived her husband by 5 years, dying on October 15, 1243, during Vespers. Her feast day is October 16.