Sunday 16 December 2018

# Saints

Saint Adelaide of Italy


The 16th of December is the feast day of Saint Adelaide of Italy (931 – 16 December 999 AD). She is also known as Saint Adelaide of Burgandy. She is the patron saint of abuse victims; brides; empresses; exiles; in-law problems; parenthood; parents of large families; princesses; prisoners; second marriages; step-parents; and widows.

Saint Adelaide was born in 931AD and was the daughter of King Rupert II of Burgundy, France. She became the Queen of Italy after marrying the future King of Italy. Her husband died and she was imprisoned after refusing a second marriage that was also politically driven. When the German Emperor Otto came to rule Italy, she consented to his offer of marriage. They eventually had four children, the future Otto II, and three daughters. Two of her daughters became nuns. In 962 A.D. Otto was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope John XII. After her son Otto II was crowned emperor, her jealous daughter-in-law drove her from court. After her son and her daughter-in-law died, Saint Adelaide returned to rule the empire as regent Queen until her grandson was ready to take the throne. She helped the poor, evangelized, and built and restore monasteries and churches. She retired in a convent in Germany and spent her remaining life in prayer.

Image: Saint-Adélaïde Empress on a stained glass window by Lorin, in the Church of Toury.

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