The Basics: Birthdate and place unknown; died 680 in France; canonized in the ninth century by Nicholas I; feast day, January 30. Queen, slave, philanthropist. The Story: Bathild (also known as Balthilde and other spellings) came to the attention of King Clovis II when she was a slave in a friend’s palace. Bathild’s intelligence and other virtues… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Bathild
Category: Wednesday’s Woman
Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Laura Vicuna
The Basics: Born April 5, 1891, in Chile; died January 22, 1904, in Argentina; beatified September 3, 1988, by John Paul II; feast day, January 22. Daughter. The Story: Laura’s mother must have felt she had few options. Her husband had died after the family’s move to Argentina from Chile, leaving her with two daughters under the… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Laura Vicuna
Wednesday’s Woman: St. Begga
The Basics: Born 615 in what is now Belgium; died 693 in what is now Belgium; canonized pre-congregation; feast day, December 17. Benefactoress, woman religious. The Story: If you lived in Begga’s time, you knew of her family, perhaps the way we’re all aware of advisers to the Bushes, the Clintons, the Kennedys and so on. Her… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Begga
Wednesday’s Woman: St. Mary Joseph Rossello
The Basics: Born May 27, 1811, in Italy; died December 7, 1880, in Italy; canonized June 12, 1949, by Pius XII; feast day, December 7. Woman religious, caregiver. The Story: Initially, money stood in the way of Mary Joseph’s vocation. She didn’t have enough money for a dowry, so she went to work for an invalid for… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Mary Joseph Rossello