St. Hedwig is the patroness of brides, death of children, difficult marriages, victims of jealousy, widows, and duchesses. She is also the patron saint of Poland, Bavaria, Silesia, Andechs, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Wrocław, and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gorlitz, Germany.
St. Hedwig novena can be prayed to seek her intercession in case you or someone you know is a widow or a victim of a difficult marriage.
About St. Hedwig
St. Hedwig was a strong mother and wife who is remembered for instilling faith in her husband and the people they ruled. She was an aunt of St. Elizabeth of Hungary and was born in Bavaria around 1174.
She was educated in a monastery as a young girl, and when she was 12 years old, she was married to a duke named Henry. They had seven children together.
According to an old biography, Hedwig, Duchess of Silesia, was educated at the Kitzingen abbey and married Henry I of Silesia when she was twelve years old (1186).
As Duke of Silesia, Henry I took over from his father Boleslaw I. Because his mother was German and he was educated in Germany, Henry and Hedwig’s marriage moved the Duke closer to Germany.
Hedwig married Duke Henry of Silesia, the leader of the Polish Royal family when she was twelve years old. They had a wonderful marriage and she produced him, seven children. At Trebnitz, Henry established a Cistercian convent, as well as hospitals and monasteries. Hedwig became a Cistercian at Trebnitz after Henry died in 1238.
She had to abandon her prayers in order to bring peace to her children, and she had to bury a child who had been killed resisting the Mongols. On October 15, she died at the convent. After her death, many miracles were reported, and she was canonized in 1266. On March 26, 1267, she was proclaimed a saint by Pope Clement IV.
Henry I was a dynamic prince who dramatically expanded the bounds of his duchy, solidified his authority, and contributed significantly to the realm’s civilization.
Through her judgment, fortitude, and piety, Hedwig wielded considerable power in the management of the land. She aided and supported new monastery establishments as well as those that were already established.
This God’s servant never failed to perform all good deeds. When she lacked human means to do good, when her own power failed, she was given this grace through the divine favor of Christ’s sufferings.
She possessed the ability to heal everybody who came to her for help, both physically and spiritually.
Facts
Novena Starts: October 7th
Feast Day: October 16th
Birth: 1174
Death: 1243
Significance of St. Hedwig Novena
A noblewoman clutching a church (symbolizing a monastery) or a noblewoman holding a pair of shoes under her arm are symbols attributed to her. The 16th of October is her feast day. St. Hedwig novena prayers have to be repeated for nine consecutive days.
Read more: St. Dominic Novena
St. Hedwig Novena
Day 1
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O St Hedwig,
in this world you rejected the honours of the Court,
its pomp, luxury and pleasures,
and went to be with the poor to help them
in the destitution and misery of life.
There in Heaven, cast a kind look on us poor mortals,
and obtain for us the grace
<<mention your special request>>
and that of living in the peace
and friendship of God.
Amen
V. Pray for us, St Hedwig!
R. So that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
O God, You taught Blessed Hedwig to prefer,
with all her heart,
the humble road of Your Cross to the pomp of the world.
Through her merits and example,
grant that we may learn to reject the ephemeral delights of the world,
and, embracing Your Cross,
may we overcome the adversities to come.
You who live and reign, One God,
forever and ever.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 2
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O St Hedwig,
in this world you rejected the honours of the Court,
its pomp, luxury and pleasures,
and went to be with the poor to help them
in the destitution and misery of life.
There in Heaven, cast a kind look on us poor mortals,
and obtain for us the grace
<<mention your special request>>
and that of living in the peace
and friendship of God.
Amen
V. Pray for us, St Hedwig!
R. So that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
O God, You taught Blessed Hedwig to prefer,
with all her heart,
the humble road of Your Cross to the pomp of the world.
Through her merits and example,
grant that we may learn to reject the ephemeral delights of the world,
and, embracing Your Cross,
may we overcome the adversities to come.
You who live and reign, One God,
forever and ever.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Read more: St. Vincent de Paul Novena
Day 3
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O St Hedwig,
in this world you rejected the honours of the Court,
its pomp, luxury and pleasures,
and went to be with the poor to help them
in the destitution and misery of life.
There in Heaven, cast a kind look on us poor mortals,
and obtain for us the grace
<<mention your special request>>
and that of living in the peace
and friendship of God.
Amen
V. Pray for us, St Hedwig!
R. So that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
O God, You taught Blessed Hedwig to prefer,
with all her heart,
the humble road of Your Cross to the pomp of the world.
Through her merits and example,
grant that we may learn to reject the ephemeral delights of the world,
and, embracing Your Cross,
may we overcome the adversities to come.
You who live and reign, One God,
forever and ever.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 4
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O St Hedwig,
in this world you rejected the honours of the Court,
its pomp, luxury and pleasures,
and went to be with the poor to help them
in the destitution and misery of life.
There in Heaven, cast a kind look on us poor mortals,
and obtain for us the grace
<<mention your special request>>
and that of living in the peace
and friendship of God.
Amen
V. Pray for us, St Hedwig!
R. So that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
O God, You taught Blessed Hedwig to prefer,
with all her heart,
the humble road of Your Cross to the pomp of the world.
Through her merits and example,
grant that we may learn to reject the ephemeral delights of the world,
and, embracing Your Cross,
may we overcome the adversities to come.
You who live and reign, One God,
forever and ever.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 5
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O St Hedwig,
in this world you rejected the honours of the Court,
its pomp, luxury and pleasures,
and went to be with the poor to help them
in the destitution and misery of life.
There in Heaven, cast a kind look on us poor mortals,
and obtain for us the grace
<<mention your special request>>
and that of living in the peace
and friendship of God.
Amen
V. Pray for us, St Hedwig!
R. So that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
O God, You taught Blessed Hedwig to prefer,
with all her heart,
the humble road of Your Cross to the pomp of the world.
Through her merits and example,
grant that we may learn to reject the ephemeral delights of the world,
and, embracing Your Cross,
may we overcome the adversities to come.
You who live and reign, One God,
forever and ever.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Read more: St. Charles Borromeo Novena
Day 6
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O St Hedwig,
in this world you rejected the honours of the Court,
its pomp, luxury and pleasures,
and went to be with the poor to help them
in the destitution and misery of life.
There in Heaven, cast a kind look on us poor mortals,
and obtain for us the grace
<<mention your special request>>
and that of living in the peace
and friendship of God.
Amen
V. Pray for us, St Hedwig!
R. So that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
O God, You taught Blessed Hedwig to prefer,
with all her heart,
the humble road of Your Cross to the pomp of the world.
Through her merits and example,
grant that we may learn to reject the ephemeral delights of the world,
and, embracing Your Cross,
may we overcome the adversities to come.
You who live and reign, One God,
forever and ever.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 7
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O St Hedwig,
in this world you rejected the honours of the Court,
its pomp, luxury and pleasures,
and went to be with the poor to help them
in the destitution and misery of life.
There in Heaven, cast a kind look on us poor mortals,
and obtain for us the grace
<<mention your special request>>
and that of living in the peace
and friendship of God.
Amen
V. Pray for us, St Hedwig!
R. So that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
O God, You taught Blessed Hedwig to prefer,
with all her heart,
the humble road of Your Cross to the pomp of the world.
Through her merits and example,
grant that we may learn to reject the ephemeral delights of the world,
and, embracing Your Cross,
may we overcome the adversities to come.
You who live and reign, One God,
forever and ever.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 8
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O St Hedwig,
in this world you rejected the honours of the Court,
its pomp, luxury and pleasures,
and went to be with the poor to help them
in the destitution and misery of life.
There in Heaven, cast a kind look on us poor mortals,
and obtain for us the grace
<<mention your special request>>
and that of living in the peace
and friendship of God.
Amen
V. Pray for us, St Hedwig!
R. So that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
O God, You taught Blessed Hedwig to prefer,
with all her heart,
the humble road of Your Cross to the pomp of the world.
Through her merits and example,
grant that we may learn to reject the ephemeral delights of the world,
and, embracing Your Cross,
may we overcome the adversities to come.
You who live and reign, One God,
forever and ever.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 9
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O St Hedwig,
in this world you rejected the honours of the Court,
its pomp, luxury and pleasures,
and went to be with the poor to help them
in the destitution and misery of life.
There in Heaven, cast a kind look on us poor mortals,
and obtain for us the grace
<<mention your special request>>
and that of living in the peace
and friendship of God.
Amen
V. Pray for us, St Hedwig!
R. So that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
O God, You taught Blessed Hedwig to prefer,
with all her heart,
the humble road of Your Cross to the pomp of the world.
Through her merits and example,
grant that we may learn to reject the ephemeral delights of the world,
and, embracing Your Cross,
may we overcome the adversities to come.
You who live and reign, One God,
forever and ever.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Read more: Father Michael McGivney Novena Prayer
