St. Matilda was the daughter of a German count. When she was still quite young, her parents married her to a nobleman named Henry, who became King of Germany.
As Queen, Matilda lived a life of prayer and virtue. Everyone who saw her realized how pure and humble and good she was. She loved to visit and comfort the sick and to help prisoners. Her holy husband saw all the good she was doing, and decided to help her.
When King Henry died, St. Matilda suffered very much. He died very suddenly, and the poor Queen decided then and there to live for God alone. So she called the priest to offer Mass for him and then gave him all the jewels she was wearing. She promised to give up the things of the world from then on.
Although she was a saint, Matilda made a big mistake: she favored her son Henry more than his brother, in the struggle to see who would be king. But she was very sorry for having done this and she made up for it by accepting great sufferings all the rest of her life.
After years spent in practicing charity and penance, St. Matilda died a peaceful, holy death and was buried beside her good husband.
From St. Matilda, let us learn to offer up little sufferings to make up for our sins.
