Saint for Large Families

Today's saint would seem perfect for our large crew.  I am now pleased to beg her intercession when our family has difficulties.

St. Matilda

Feast day: March 14
Birth:  895
Death: 968
Patron of parents of large families
Germany
Nobility

Matilda's story is told in the perspective of a monk historian (Widukind of Covey) within her life time.  From reading the story, Widukind might have been writing as a kinsman about a family history.

At a young age, Matilda was sent for her education to a nearby convent.  Her namesake and grandmother was the abbess at the convent and influenced her education.  However, in 909 Matilda was betrothed to Henry (the son of a noble and 20 years her senior).  The union was said to enlarge the Saxon dynasty to the west.  Henry was very concerned for his citizens, however, would often stop any insolence with military might.  However, it would be Matilda's desire to take care of their spiritual and physical needs that would win their hearts.

As the eldest surviving son, Henry succeeded his father as Duke of Saxony in 912 and upon the death of King Conrad I was elected King of East Francia (later Germany) in 919. He and Matilda had three sons and two daughters.

After Henry died in 936, Matilda and her son, now King Otto of East Francia, established Quedlinburg Abbey in his memory.  Quedlinburg Abbey was a convent of noble canonesses, where her granddaughter, also named Matilda, became the first abbess in 966.

Matilda spent the remainder of her life settling disputes between her two oldest sons.  She was even exiled at one time because of her actions.  She was said to have spent to much of the treasury on charitable causes.  However, with the urging of her eldest and his wife, she was allowed to return to court.


Throughout her life, Matilda was devoted to prayer and almsgiving.  She founded many religious institutions and convents.  In her last sickness she made her confession to her grandson William, the Archbishop of Mentz (he would die twelve days before her, on his road home). She again made a public confession before the priests and monks, received a second time the last sacraments, and, lying on a sack-cloth, with ashes on her head, died on the 14th of March in 968.