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Description
Feast day: November 19
Lived in Germany 1240/1241-1298

Finally continuing my Holy Women -series, based on Pope (Emeritus) Benedict XVI's book! The third chapter described St. Matilda, a.k.a. Mechtilde, of Hackeborn, "God's nightingale".

LIFE AND WORKS
St. Matilda was born to one of the richest and most powerful barons of Thuringia. Following her sister's example, entered the Convent of Helfta at an early age. Her humility, friendliness and innocence, as well as her qualities of intelligence and a beautiful voice made her a treasure of the convent. She wrote many prayers, and her fellow sisters often sat by her to hear her teach.
St. Matilda had a profound love for the Scriptures, especially the Gospels, as well as the liturgy, Holy Mass and Holy Communion. She lived her life in close, intimate communion with God, "guided by Sacred Scripture and nourished by the Bread of the Eucharist". In this she sets a beautiful example to us all.
In her sixth book of Liber Specialis Gratiae (Book of Special Grace) St. Gertrude the Great describes St. Matilda and all the special graces God granted her, "for the glory of God and the usefulness of our neighbour, for it would seem wrong to us to keep quiet about the many graces that Matilda received from God".

"The words of the Gospel were a marvellous nourishment for her and in her heart stirred feelings of such sweetness that, because of her enthusiasm, she was often unable to finish reading it.... The way in which she read those words was so fervent that it inspired devotion in everyone."
    - Liber specialis gratiae, VI

Technical notes:
Used this and this loosely as a reference.
Watercolour pencils, pro markers, black pens. Background and border added digitally.

Holy Women by Pope Benedict XVI
- Chapter 1: St. Hildegard of Bingen
- Chapter 2: St. Clare of Assisi
- Chapter 3: St. Matilda of Hackeborn
   - Chapter 4: St. Gertrude the Great
   - Chapter 5: Bl. Angela of Foligno
   - Chapter 6: St. Elizabeth of Hungary
   - Chapter 7: St. Bridget of Sweden
   - Chapter 8: Marguerite d'Oingt
   - Chapter 9: St. Juliana of Cornillon
   - Chapter 10: St. Catherine of Siena
- Chapter 11: Julian of Norwich
- Chapter 12: St. Veronica Giuliani
- Chapter 13: St. Catherine of Bologna
- Chapter 14: St. Catherine of Genoa
- Chapter 15: St. Joan of Arc
- Chapter 16: St. Teresa of Ávila
- Chapter 17: St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Description
Feast day: November 19
Lived in Germany 1240/1241-1298

Finally continuing my Holy Women -series, based on Pope (Emeritus) Benedict XVI's book! The third chapter described St. Matilda, a.k.a. Mechtilde, of Hackeborn, "God's nightingale".

LIFE AND WORKS
St. Matilda was born to one of the richest and most powerful barons of Thuringia. Following her sister's example, entered the Convent of Helfta at an early age. Her humility, friendliness and innocence, as well as her qualities of intelligence and a beautiful voice made her a treasure of the convent. She wrote many prayers, and her fellow sisters often sat by her to hear her teach.
St. Matilda had a profound love for the Scriptures, especially the Gospels, as well as the liturgy, Holy Mass and Holy Communion. She lived her life in close, intimate communion with God, "guided by Sacred Scripture and nourished by the Bread of the Eucharist". In this she sets a beautiful example to us all.
In her sixth book of Liber Specialis Gratiae (Book of Special Grace) St. Gertrude the Great describes St. Matilda and all the special graces God granted her, "for the glory of God and the usefulness of our neighbour, for it would seem wrong to us to keep quiet about the many graces that Matilda received from God".

"The words of the Gospel were a marvellous nourishment for her and in her heart stirred feelings of such sweetness that, because of her enthusiasm, she was often unable to finish reading it.... The way in which she read those words was so fervent that it inspired devotion in everyone."
    - Liber specialis gratiae, VI

Technical notes:
Used this and this loosely as a reference.
Watercolour pencils, pro markers, black pens. Background and border added digitally.

Holy Women by Pope Benedict XVI
- Chapter 1: St. Hildegard of Bingen
- Chapter 2: St. Clare of Assisi
- Chapter 3: St. Matilda of Hackeborn
   - Chapter 4: St. Gertrude the Great
   - Chapter 5: Bl. Angela of Foligno
   - Chapter 6: St. Elizabeth of Hungary
   - Chapter 7: St. Bridget of Sweden
   - Chapter 8: Marguerite d'Oingt
   - Chapter 9: St. Juliana of Cornillon
   - Chapter 10: St. Catherine of Siena
- Chapter 11: Julian of Norwich
- Chapter 12: St. Veronica Giuliani
- Chapter 13: St. Catherine of Bologna
- Chapter 14: St. Catherine of Genoa
- Chapter 15: St. Joan of Arc
- Chapter 16: St. Teresa of Ávila
- Chapter 17: St. Thérèse of Lisieux