Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Beatrice of Nazareth

The Basics: Born about 1200 in Belgium; died August 29, 1268, in Belgium; feast day, July 29; woman religious, mystic, writer.

The Story: She’s a writer–and beatified woman religious–you may have never heard of if you live outside Belgium. And that’s a pity, because Beatrice’s Seven Ways of Divine Love is a wonderful read.

Born into a wealthy family, the youngest of six children, Beatrice’s mother died when she was just seven. She was sent to spend a year with the Beguines, then returned home. She was only ten when she became a Cistercian (Trappist) oblate, and became a novice at sixteen. It seems her father, brother, and two sisters all entered monasteries as well, or became oblates.

She helped to establish a Belgian monastery known as Our Lady of Nazareth, and served as prioress from 1237, a year after its formation, until her death. About the same time as the monastery was opening, Beatrice wrote The Seven Ways of Divine Love, which begins with “a fierce longing engendered by Love” and culminates when “the blessed soul has a more sublime way of love… she is being pulled in love above human nature, above human senses and reason, and above all the workings of her heart.” Beatrice’s authorship of the work was not discovered until 1925.

Beatrice’s Wisdom: “The soul that, in times of mercy, wanted to do everything for Him shall enjoy Him in eternal glory, where one shall do nothing else but praise and love.”

What We Can Learn from Beatrice: Beatrice loved God with a passion; she didn’t mail in her faith. Let’s open ourselves up to the same experience. It’s there for the asking.

To Learn More About Beatrice: Read her biography at the abbey where she served as prioress for many years, or a translation of the Seven Ways of Divine Love.

To Learn More About Other Women Saints and Blesseds: Come back next week, or consider buying my book, Sisterhood of Saints: Daily Guidance and Inspiration.

Tagged as: beatrice of nazareth, Catholic, our lady of nazareth abbey, saints, seven ways of divine love, wednesdays woman, women saints