Clotilde was wife of King Clovis, who established a dynasty that ruled in France for several hundred years. When they were married in 492, Clovis was not Christian, but she brought him to the faith.

Together, they founded a church in Paris that they named after Sts. Peter and Paul, which was later renamed St. Genevieve. Clovis and Clotilde are still buried there.

When Clovis died, their three sons feuded for the throne—even murdering family members, including women and children. The struggles and murders broke Clotilde’s heart, and she left the royal household and moved to Tours, where she spent the rest of her life in prayer and service to the poor.

Her two sons who had survived the family conflict finally took up arms against each other. Clotilde heard of an impending battle between the two, and prayed at the tomb of St. Martin of Tours that the struggle come to an end. Her prayers were answered when a great storm drove the armies from the field of battle. She died one month later.

Her relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica, and she is depicted in a stained glass window there. In medieval art, Clotilde at prayer was a popular motif. She is patron saint of brides and parents, especially parents of difficult children.

St. Clotilde, you were the wife and mother who brought her husband and family to the faith, and prayed for their conversion—pray for us!