The Basics: Born 1158 in Belgium; died January 13, 1228, in Belgium; feast day, January 13; mother, wife, woman religious.
The Story: Ivetta’s wealthy family married her off when she was just thirteen to a man whom she disliked so much that she was known to have wished him dead for a time. And die he did, five years into the marriage, leaving her with two young sons. (Both eventually became Cistercian priests, as did her father after a conversion prompted by Ivetta.)
Five years later, at twenty-three, Ivetta felt strongly called to care for people with leprosy who lived just outside Huy’s city walls. Indeed, she
By Philcotof (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
After eleven years and the establishment of a new facility for those with leprosy, Ivetta established a Beguine community and became an anchoress, enclosed in a small room (which did not stop people from coming to receive her wisdom). She was given to self-mortification throughout her life, including sleeping on pointed stones and extreme fasting, and was blessed with visions of Jesus and Mary.
Ivetta’s Wisdom: “Lord, into your hands I commend my spirit” (on her deathbed).
What We Can Learn from Ivetta: Ivetta’s ministry changed radically during her life–from wife and mother to nurse to contemplative. She embraced the changes with gusto and faith. Where is the Lord directing change in your life?
To Learn More About Ivetta: Read entries about her in Anchoresses of the West and Sanctity and Motherhood: Essays on Holy Mothers in the Middle Ages.
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.
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