Norbertine Nun (ca. 1150-1200)
Her life
+ Hadewych was the daughter of Count Lothair of Meer and Saint Hildegund.
+ After Lothair’s death, Hadewych and Hildegund made a pilgrimage to Rome. After returning home, both women made religious vows as nuns of the Praemonstratensian (Norbertine) abbey of Meer.
+ Hadewych was named prioress of the community in 1183.
+ Blessed Hadewych died on April 14, 1200 and devotion to her quickly spread among Norbertine communities after her death.
For prayer and reflection
“Here is a wise virgin, from among the number of the prudent, who went forth with lighted lamp to meet Christ. Alleluia.”—Entrance antiphon from the Common of Virgins
Spiritual bonus
The brother of Blessed Hadewych, Herman Joseph, is honored as a saint. Also a member of the Norbertine order, Herman Joseph was a member of the same order as his sister and mother and is honored as a mystic. Saint Herman Joseph died in 1241 and devotion to him was formally approved in 1958. The Church celebrates the memory of Saint Herman Joseph on April 7.
Prayer
Hear us, God our Savior, that, as we rejoice in commemorating the Virgin blessed Hadewych, we may be instructed by her loving devotion. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(from The Roman Missal: Common of Virgins)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
And today we celebrate...