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SAINT FEAST DAY 16 JUNE: ST LUTGARDE

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN JUNE

Saints celebrated on the 16th of June

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SAINT LUTGARDE OF TONGEREN, VIRGIN

There was little in Saint Lutgarde’s education to make her a saint. Her parents first betrothed her to a merchant; and when, through the loss of her fortune, her marriage became impossible, they urged her to take the veil.

THE CONVERSION

After some resistance she entered the Benedictine convent at Tongres in Brabant, but lived in a discontented state, secretly sighing for a worldly life. One day when she had gone to gossip, as was her wont, in the parlours, our Lord Himself stood before her. 

Pointing to His still bleeding Heart, He bade her seek in Him alone the joys of Divine love. 

SHE OFFERED HERSELF A VICTIM FOR THE CHURCH

From that hour Lutgarde renounced the world and its follies, and began a new life of prayer and penance. During the struggle with the Albigenses she offered herself a victim for the Church, and suffered most fearful tortures of mind and body. 

To conceal the miraculous gifts with which she was favoured, she exchanged to the Cistercian Order, and prayed earnestly that she might remain there unknown. Her petition was granted. 

SHE LIVED FORTY YEARS IN A COMMUNITY OF FRENCH NUNS

She lived for forty years in a community of French nuns, from whom, by her ignorance of the language, she was completely isolated. Towards the end of her life, her solitude was further increased by the total loss of sight. At length, in 1146, her eyes, which had been closed for eleven years, opened to behold a troop of blessed spirits who came to lead her to heaven.

“Frequently examine thy heart,” said a great servant of God, “and contrast it with the Heart of Jesus.” It was thus St Lutgarde changed her life; thus too may we change our own.

Extracts from Henry Sebastian Bowden's Miniature Lives of the Saints

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Lutgarde may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. 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.


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