This week in Christian history: Edmond Browning born, battle of Jarnac, St. Matilda dies

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, March 10, 2024

St. Matilda dies – March 14, 968

St. Matilda (circa 892 - 968), a German queen known for building multiple convents and monasteries. | Screengrab: catholic.org

This week marks the anniversary of when St. Matilda, a German queen known for her extensive charitable support of the Catholic Church, died at a monastery in Quedlinburg at the age of 76.

Also known as Matilda of Ringelheim, she was born into royalty and used the wealth she received through marriage to build multiple convents and a monastery, at one point serving as an abbess.

“Saint Matilda was said to have spent some time in her last years in her convent at Nordhausen,” explained Saint of the Day, which noted that she was “canonized Pre-congregationally,” meaning she received sainthood before the current Catholic Church standards were adopted in 1588.

“Matilda devoted her life to setting up monasteries where young people could learn all about the religion. Matilda passed on the authority of the convents to her granddaughter in 966.”