Daily Archives: July 26, 2024

St. hedwig

St. Hedwig

St. Hedwig

Feast daySeptember 25
Patronof Cork, Diocese of Cork
Birth550
Death620

St. Hedwig—a luminous figure in Christian history! Let’s explore her inspiring life.

1. Early Life and Noble Heritage:

  • Born in 1174 at Andechs Castle in Bavaria (part of the Holy Roman Empire), Hedwig belonged to the prestigious House of Andechs.
  • Her family tree was quite remarkable: Her elder sister Agnes married King Philip II of France, while another sister, Gertrude, became the queen consort of King Andrew II of Hungary. Hedwig’s youngest sister, Matilda, even became an abbess at a Benedictine Abbey.

2. Marriage and Duchess Consort:

  • At the tender age of twelve, Hedwig married Henry I the Bearded, who was the son and heir of the Piast duke Boleslaus the Tall of Silesia.
  • As Duchess of Silesia from 1201 and later of Greater Poland, Hedwig navigated the complexities of medieval politics and family rivalries.
  • Her husband, Henry, faced challenges from his Piast relatives, including disputes over land and power. Yet, Hedwig stood by his side with unwavering support.

3. Virtues and Canonization:

  • Hedwig’s life exemplified Christian virtues: extreme austerity, humility, and charity. She practiced what she believed, living a life of simplicity and devotion.
  • She founded the Cistercian monastery of Trebnitz (Trzebnica) in Silesia, where she fostered spiritual growth and cared for the community.
  • Patronage: St. Hedwig is invoked as the patron saint of brides, widows, duchesses, those who have lost children, and those facing difficult marriages. She is also sought for protection against jealousy.
  • Canonization: In 1267, Pope Clement IV officially recognized her sanctity, and she was canonized as a saint.

4. Feast Day and Legacy:

  • St. Hedwig’s feast day is celebrated on October 16 (though it was moved to October 20 in Canada).
  • Her legacy endures as a model of Christian perfection—a woman who combined nobility with deep faith, compassion, and service.

So, when you think of St. Hedwig, envision a duchess who wore her faith as gracefully as her crown. Her story reminds us that holiness transcends titles and worldly power. 😇¹²³

Is there anything else you’d like to explore? Perhaps another saint or a different topic? 🌟

Source: Conversation with Copilot, 26/07/2024
(1) Hedwig of Silesia – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedwig_of_Silesia.
(2) St. Hedwig | EWTN. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/saints/hedwig-598.
(3) Saint Hedwig, Religious – My Catholic Life!. https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/october-17-st-hedwige/.

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Daily mass readings for Aug 3, 2024

Daily mass readings: Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 : Jer 26:11-16, 24

The priests and prophets said to the princes and to all the people,
“This man deserves death;
he has prophesied against this city,
as you have heard with your own ears.”
Jeremiah gave this answer to the princes and all the people:
“It was the LORD who sent me to prophesy against this house and city
all that you have heard.
Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds;
listen to the voice of the LORD your God,
so that the LORD will repent of the evil with which he threatens you.
As for me, I am in your hands; 
do with me what you think good and right.
But mark well: if you put me to death,
it is innocent blood you bring on yourselves,
on this city and its citizens.
For in truth it was the LORD who sent me to you,
to speak all these things for you to hear.”

Thereupon the princes and all the people
said to the priests and the prophets,
“This man does not deserve death;
it is in the name of the LORD, our God, that he speaks to us.” 

So Ahikam, son of Shaphan, protected Jeremiah,
so that he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.

Responsorial Psalm : PS 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34

R.(14c)  Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Rescue me out of the mire; may I not sink!
may I be rescued from my foes,
and from the watery depths.
Let not the flood-waters overwhelm me,
nor the abyss swallow me up,
nor the pit close its mouth over me.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
But I am afflicted and in pain;
let your saving help, O God, protect me.
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
“See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.”
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.

Alleluia : Mt 5:10

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : Mt 14:1-12

Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus
and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist.
He has been raised from the dead;
that is why mighty powers are at work in him.”

Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison
on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip,
for John had said to him,
“It is not lawful for you to have her.”
Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people,
for they regarded him as a prophet.
But at a birthday celebration for Herod,
the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests
and delighted Herod so much
that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for.
Prompted by her mother, she said,
“Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
The king was distressed,
but because of his oaths and the guests who were present,
he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison.
His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl,
who took it to her mother.
His disciples came and took away the corpse
and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.

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