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Oct 16 – S Hedwig
Description
Sources Used Today:
- "St. Michael in History" — From the Assumption to Advent
- "Corsica: The Desecration of a Statue of the Virgin Mary Sparks Outrage" (FSSPX.news)
- The Spiritual Life — Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre (Angelus Press)
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Saint Hedwig of Silesia was a duchess who lived in a castle, raised a family, and had access to just about every comfort medieval Europe could offer.
Yet she became famous for something rather unusual.
She refused to wear shoes.
Hedwig was born around 1174 into a noble Bavarian family and married Henry the Bearded, Duke of Silesia, while still a young girl. Together they governed a large territory in what is now Poland, raised seven children, and became important supporters of the Church.
But Hedwig had very little interest in living like a wealthy duchess.
She wore simple clothing, fasted frequently, and often walked barefoot, even through the freezing winters of Silesia.
Her confessor eventually ordered her to wear shoes.
Hedwig obeyed, in a manner of speaking.
According to a beloved tradition, she began carrying her shoes in her hands instead of wearing them. When questioned, she could truthfully say she always had them with her.
Apparently, even medieval saints could be clever about following instructions.
But Hedwig's generosity was much more than a personal exercise in poverty.
She established hospitals, supported monasteries, helped prisoners, and regularly visited poor families. One particularly interesting practice involved people imprisoned for debt. Rather than simply paying their debts and sending them away, Hedwig someti