Feast of Santa Matilde di Ringelheim

Santa Maltile di Ringelheim, ora pro nobis

March 14th is the feast of St. Matilda of Ringelheim (c.892–968), Saxon Queen and Benedictine Oblate. In 909, she married Henry the Fowler, Duke of Saxony and future King of East Francia, and bore him five children—three sons and two daughters. As queen, she built numerous hospitals and monasteries. When King Henry passed away in 936, she had a monastery built in Quedlinburg, Saxony-Anhalt, where he was interred, and she served as the first abbess.

In celebration, we’re posting a prayer to St. Matilda of Ringelheim. The accompanying photo comes courtesy of Father Eugene Carrella. The holy card is part of Father Carrella’s impressive collection of religious artifacts. Evviva Santa Matilde di Ringelheim!

Prayer to St. Matilda of Ringelheim

O God, by whose grace the blessed Matilda enkindled with the fire of thy love, became a burning and a 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 JesusChrist our Lord. Amen.