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Saint Hedwig, Religious
Optional Memorial
October 16th

(1174-1243) She was the wife of the Duke of Poland and was born in Bavaria. A mother of seven children, she led a life of piety and solicitude for the poor and the sick, founding with her husband several monasteries and hospitals. Upon her husband's death, she retired to a Cistercian monastery.

Source: Daily Roman Missal, Edited by Rev. James Socías, Midwest Theological Forum, Chicago, Illinois ©2003

Collect:
All-powerful God,
may the prayers of St. Hedwig bring us your help
and may her life of remarkable humility
be an example to us all.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Reading: Sirach 26: 1-4, 16-21 [13-16 in RSV]
Happy is the husband of a good wife; the number of his days will be doubled. A loyal wife rejoices her husband, and he will complete his years in peace. A good wife is a great blessing; she will be granted among the blessings of the man who fears the Lord. Whether rich or poor, his heart is glad, and at all times his face is cheerful. A wife's charm delights her husband, and her skill puts fat on his bones. A silent wife is a gift of the Lord, and there is nothing so precious as a disciplined soul. A modest wife adds charm to charm, and no balance can weigh the value of a chaste soul. Like the sun rising in the heights of the Lord, so is the beauty of a good wife in her well-ordered home.

Gospel Reading: Mark 3: 31-35
Jesus' mother and His brethren came; and standing outside they sent to Him and called Him. And a crowd was sitting about Him; and they said to Him, "Your mother and Your brethren are outside, asking for You." And He replied, "Who are My mother and My brethren?" And looking around on those who sat about him, He said, "Here are My mother and My brethren! Whoever does the will of God is My brother, and sister, and mother."

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