Blessed Jutta of Diessenberg

Benedictine Nun (d. 1136)

Her life

+ Jutta lived as a recluse in a small house near Saint Disibod’s monastery near Bingen, Germany.

+ When Hildegard’s parents entrusted her to the monastery as a child oblate, Jutta was entrusted with her care and education. It was Jutta who first taught Hildegard Latin, how to read, and encouraged her love of music.

+ Over the years, other women joined Jutta and Hildegard and together they adopted the Rule of St. Benedict as the rule of life for their community. Jutta ruled the community for twenty years.

+ Blessed Jutta died in 1136 and was succeeded by Hildegard as prioress of the community.

For pray and reflection

O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.—Magnificat Antiphon for December 22

Prayer

O God, who, seeing the human race fallen into death,
willed to redeem it by the coming of your Only Begotten Son,
grant, we pray,
that those who confess his Incarnation with humble fervor
may merit his company as their Redeemer.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal: Collect for December 22)

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.