As queen, Matilda paid special attention to the poor of the kingdom—her subjects knew her more as a loving mother than as a ruler.

She was born in 895 in Germany to a royal family. She was raised by her grandmother, who was the abbess of a convent, and ensured that Matilda was well-educated and faithful in her prayer and devotion. Matilda married Henry, who ascended to the German throne shortly after they had their first child together. She was liberal in her charity, which never bothered Henry, who had confidence in her judgment and goodness.

Henry and Matilda shared five children, one of whom, Bruno, is also known as a saint. Another, Otto, became emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Henry spent much time at war, but unified the German people into one kingdom.

After 23 years of marriage, Henry died suddenly, and Matilda was left a widow. Her son, Otto, was elected to the throne, which began a conflict with a brother. The two reconciled, but neither had Henry’s patience with Matilda’s generosity, and they accused her of squandering wealth.

She was exiled for a time, but eventually returned to the royal household and was reconciled with her son, Otto. When he was crowned emperor, he left her in charge of the kingdom, and she established three convents and a monastery. She spent her old age at the convent where she was raised.

St. Matilda’s relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Notre Dame’s campus, and she is also depicted in the stained glass windows of the Basilica. In a large window, shown to the left, Matilda holds a scepter and coins as a sign of her generosity to the poor. A second window, to the right, depicts Matilda in prayer with her two sons conspiring in envy behind her. St. Matilda is the patron saint of widows and a patron saint and intercessor for parents who have conflicts with their grown children.

St. Matilda, patron saint of widows and kind queen who cared for the poor despite ridicule from your own children—pray for us!