St. Judith of Prussia

The saint of the day is St. Judith also known as Jutta. St. Judith was born at Sangerhausen in Thuringia, which is now central Germany. Judith was married at the age of fifteen to a wealthy, young nobleman. As a wife and mother, Judith tried to emulate St. Elizabeth of Hungary, and was very generous to the poor. Although quite wealthy, she lived and dressed simply. Judith's holiness served as an inspiring example to her family who followed in her footsteps.

After several years of marriage, Judith's husband died suddenly while he was on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. As a young widow, Judith raised her children alone. When the children grew up and were no longer dependent on her, she surrendered to a longing that had been hidden in her heart for some time.

Judith sold everything she had and moved to Prussia where people would not know that she was from a wealthy family. There she lived as a hermit in a little hut and spent her time praying for the conversion of nonbelievers and for newly baptized Christians to be true to their faith. She also took care of weary travelers who passed by. St. Judith died of fever in 1260 at Kulmsee in Prussia. She is the patroness of Prussia and of widows.

Quote: "Three things can lead us close to God. They are painful physical suffering, being in exile in a foreign land, and being poor by choice because of love for God."

~ St. Judith of Prussia
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