Abbess on Christian Saints

Hildegard of Bingen

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0100

The tithe child

Hildegard was the tenth child of a noble family and was offered to the Church as a tithe. At eight she was placed with the anchoress Jutta at the Benedictine monastery of Disibodenberg, where the women’s cell grew into a small convent. She took vows in her teens and when Jutta died in 1136 the nuns elected Hildegard their superior. She had seen visions since she was three, she later wrote, but told almost no one.

Offa di Benevento

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Offa di Benevento, badessa italiana. Died 1070, Benevento. Kept on 31 December. Religious order: Benedictines.

Odile of Alsace

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Odile of Alsace, christian abbess and saint. Born 662, Obernai, died 720, Mont Sainte-Odile. Kept on 13 December. Invoked as patron of alsace, eye disease. Patron of Alsace. Religious order: Benedictines.

Edburga of Minster-in-Thanet

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Edburga of Minster-in-Thanet, catholic saint, princess and abbess in Wessex. Born 650, England, died 751, Minster. Kept on 12 December. Religious order: Nuns of the order of Saint Benedict.

Burgundofara

Sat, 07 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Burgundofara, frankish Abbess. Born 595, Poincy, died 656, Faremoutiers. Kept on 7 December. Patron of Cinisi, Faremoutiers.

Ada

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Ada, saint, nun, abbess. Born 600, died 700. Kept on 4 December.

Attal

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Attal, abbess and saint. Died 741. Kept on 3 December.

Bilihildis

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Bilihildis, benedictine abbess and Frankish saint. Born 700, Veitshöchheim, died 734, Mainz. Kept on 27 November. Religious order: Benedictines.

Vulfetrude

Sat, 23 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Vulfetrude, french abbess. Born 640, Landen, died 669, Nivelles. Kept on 23 November. Religious order: Benedictines.

Hilda

Sun, 17 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Hilda, christian saint and the founding abbess of the monastery at Whitby, England. Born 614, England, died 680, Whitby Abbey. Kept on 17 November. Religious order: Benedictines.

Agnes of Assisi

Sat, 16 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Agnes of Assisi, poor Clare abbess. Born 1197, Assisi, died 1253, San Damiano. Kept on 16 November. Religious order: Poor Clares.

Gertrude de Remiremont

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Gertrude de Remiremont, quatrième abbesse du Saint-Mont. Kept on 7 November.

Bertila de Chelles

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Bertila de Chelles, frankish abbesses. Born 601, Soissons, died 705, Chelles. Kept on 6 November.

Ethelfleda of Romsey

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Ethelfleda of Romsey, abbess in 10th century, saint. Kept on 23 October. Religious order: Benedictines.

Thecla of Kitzingen

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Thecla of Kitzingen, benedictine abbess and saint. Born 800, Wimborne Minster, died 790, Kitzingen. Kept on 15 October. Religious order: Benedictines.

Angadrisma

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Angadrisma, abbess and saint. Born 630, Beauvais, died 695, Oroër. Kept on 14 October.

Herlindis of Maaseik

Sat, 12 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Herlindis of Maaseik, frankish saint and abbess. Born 695, Maaseik, died 745, Maaseik. Kept on 12 October. Religious order: Benedictines.

Æthelburh of Barking

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Æthelburh of Barking, abbess. Born 601, died 601, Barking. Kept on 11 October. Religious order: Benedictines.

Theodechilde of Jouarre

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Theodechilde of Jouarre, abbess and saint. Died Jouarre. Kept on 10 October.

Enimia

Sun, 06 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Enimia, 7th-century Occitan abbess, saint and daughter of Frankish king Chlothar II. Born 550, Gaul, died 628, Sainte-Enimie. Kept on 6 October.

Aurea of Paris

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Aurea of Paris, première abbesse du monastère colombaniste de Saint-Martial de Paris. Born 650, Syria, died 666, Paris. Kept on 4 October.

Eustochium

Sat, 28 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Eustochium, early Christian saint. Born 368, Rome, died 420, Bethlehem. Kept on 28 September.

Leoba

Sat, 28 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Leoba, anglo-Saxon nun. Born 710, Kingdom of Wessex, died 782, Schornsheim. Kept on 28 September. Religious order: Benedictines.

Sadalberga

Sun, 22 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Sadalberga, french saint. Born 650, Toul, died 656, Laon. Kept on 22 September.

Hrotsvitha

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Hrotsvitha, german secular canoness, dramatist, and poet. Born 935, Duchy of Saxony, died 968, Bad Gandersheim. Kept on 18 September. Religious order: Benedictines.

Eugénie d'Alsace

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Eugénie d’Alsace, abbess and Roman Catholic saint. Born 695, died 735, Mont Sainte-Odile. Kept on 16 September.

Wulthryth

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Wulthryth, anglo-Saxon Abbess and saint. Born 901, died 985. Kept on 13 September. Religious order: Benedictines.

Eanswith

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Eanswith, kentish saint. Born 614, Kent, died 640, Folkestone. Kept on 12 September. Religious order: Benedictines.

Wulfhild

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Wulfhild, wulfhild [St Wulfhild] (d. after 996), abbess of Barking and Horton. Born 940, died 1000, London. Kept on 9 September. Religious order: Benedictines.

Kassia

Sat, 07 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Kassia, byzantine abbess, poet, composer, and hymnographer. Born 810, Istanbul, died 865, Constantinople. Kept on 7 September. Patron of Kasos.

Irmgardis

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Irmgardis, german saint. Born 1000, Rees, died 1075, Cologne. Kept on 4 September.

Hieu

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Hieu, irish abbess. Born 601. Kept on 2 September. Religious order: Benedictines.

Cuthburh

Sat, 31 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Cuthburh, first abbess of Wimborne Minster. Born 700, died 720, Wimborne Minster. Kept on 31 August.

Clare of Montefalco

Sat, 17 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Clare of Montefalco, augustinian nun and abbess. Born 1268, Montefalco, died 1308, Montefalco. Kept on 17 August. Invoked as patron of montefalco. Patron of Montefalco. Religious order: Augustinian nuns.

Glossinde de Metz

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Glossinde de Metz, french saint. Born 580, died 610. Kept on 25 July.

Kinga of Poland

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Kinga of Poland, polish royal; later Poor Clare abbess. Born 1224, Esztergom, died 1292, Stary Sącz. Kept on 24 July. Invoked as patron of lithuania, poland. Religious order: Sisters Clarists of the Rule of Urban IV.

Bridget of Sweden

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Bridget of Sweden, swedish nun, mystic, and saint (c.1303-1373). Born 1303, Finsta, died 1373, Rome. Kept on 23 July, the day the General Roman Calendar gives to Bridget of Sweden. Invoked as patron of europe, sweden, widow. Patron of Europe, Santa Brígida. Religious order: Bridgettines.

Edith of Polesworth

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Edith of Polesworth, anglo-Saxon abbess. Born 850, died 960. Kept on 15 July.

Mildthryth

Sat, 13 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Mildthryth, anglo-Saxon Abbess. Born 700, died 734, Minster. Kept on 13 July. Religious order: Benedictines.

Landrada

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Landrada, belgian saint. Born 650, Bilzen, died 700, Munsterbilzen Abbey. Kept on 8 July. Religious order: Benedictines.

Æthelburh of Faremoutiers

Sun, 07 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Æthelburh of Faremoutiers, anglo-Saxon princess, abbess and saint. Died 664, Faremoutiers Abbey. Kept on 7 July.

Moninne

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Moninne, irish saint. Born 432, died 519. Kept on 6 July.

Seaxburh of Ely

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Seaxburh of Ely, queen of King Eorcenberht of Kent, abbess, and saint of the Christian Church (640-699). Born 640, died 699. Kept on 6 July.

Bertha of Artois

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Bertha of Artois, french abbess. Born 644, Artois, died 723, Blangy-sur-Ternoise. Kept on 4 July.

Æthelthryth

Sun, 23 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Æthelthryth, abbess of Ely. Born 636, Exning, died 679, Ely. Kept on 23 June.

Elia di Ohren

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Elia di Ohren, badessa tedesca. Kept on 20 June. Religious order: Benedictines.

Elizabeth of Schönau

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Elizabeth of Schönau, german Benedictine visionary. Born 1129, Cologne, died 1164, Schönau Abbey in Nassau. Kept on 18 June. Religious order: Benedictines.

Ninnoc

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Ninnoc, 5th‑century Welsh‑Breton abbess, Christian saint, founder of a double monastery in Brittany, and reputed protector of women and the poor. Born 450, Wales, died 467. Kept on 4 June.

Humility

Wed, 22 May 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Humility, italian saint, abbess. Born 1226, Faenza, died 1310, Florence. Kept on 22 May. Religious order: Benedictines.

Gisela, Abbess of Chelles

Tue, 21 May 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Gisela, Abbess of Chelles, roman Catholic nun and abbess. Born 757, died 810, Chelles. Kept on 21 May. Religious order: Benedictines.

Agnes of Poitiers

Mon, 13 May 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Agnes of Poitiers, 6th-century French saint and abbess. Born 600, France, died 588, Poitiers. Kept on 13 May.

Matrona Ciupelea

Sun, 05 May 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Matrona Ciupelea. Born 1852, Săliște, died 1935, Horezu monastery. Kept on 5 May.

Doda of Reims

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Doda of Reims. Kept on 24 April.

Athanasia of Egina

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Athanasia of Egina, 9th‑century Byzantine Christian abbess and saint from Aegina. Born 701, Aegina, died 860. Kept on 18 April.

Waltrude

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Waltrude, belgian saint (612-688). Born 612, Cousolre, died 688, Mons. Kept on 9 April. Religious order: Benedictines.

Æbbe the Younger

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Æbbe the Younger, legendary Abbess of Coldingham Priory in south-east Scotland. Born 800, died 870, Coldingham Priory. Kept on 2 April. Religious order: Benedictines.

Gertrude of Nivelles

Sun, 17 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Gertrude of Nivelles, benedictine abbess and saint (626-659). Born 626, Landen, died 659, Nivelles. Kept on 17 March. Invoked as patron of gardeners. Patron of Rotzo. Religious order: Benedictines.

Eusebia of Hamage

Sat, 16 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Eusebia of Hamage, frankish saint, abbess (637-660). Born 700, died 660, Wandignies-Hamage. Kept on 16 March.

Colette

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Colette, th c. French abbess: founded Colettine Poor Clares. Born 1381, Corbie, died 1447, Ghent. Kept on 6 March. Religious order: Benedictines, Poor Clares.

Agnes of Bohemia

Sat, 02 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Agnes of Bohemia, princess who became a nun and saint (1211-1282). Born 1211, Prague, died 1282, Prague. Kept on 2 March. Religious order: Poor Clares.

Aldetrude di Maubeuge

Sun, 25 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Aldetrude di Maubeuge, frankish saint. Born 700, died 696, Maubeuge. Kept on 25 February. Religious order: Benedictines.

Mildburh

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Mildburh, anglo-Saxon Benedictine Abbess. Died 715, Much Wenlock. Kept on 23 February. Religious order: Benedictines.

Philothei of Athens

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Philothei of Athens, greek saint. Born 1522, Athens, died 1589, Kalogreza. Kept on 19 February.

Austrebertha

Sat, 10 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Austrebertha, roman Catholic saint from France. Born 630, Thérouanne, died 704, Pavilly. Kept on 10 February.

Ælfflæd of Whitby

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Ælfflæd of Whitby, abbess of Whitby. Born 654, Kingdom of Northumbria, died 714, Whitby Abbey. Kept on 8 February. Religious order: Benedictines.

Relindis of Maaseik

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Relindis of Maaseik, belgian saint. Died 750. Kept on 6 February. Religious order: Benedictines.

Adelaide, Abbess of Vilich

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Adelaide, Abbess of Vilich, abbess of Vilich and Christian saint (c.970-c.1015). Born 970, Geldern, died 1015, Cologne. Kept on 5 February. Religious order: Benedictines.

Joan of Valois

Sun, 04 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Joan of Valois, french queen who entered religious life, became a nun and later an abbess who founded the Sisters of the Annunciation of Mary (canonized 195. Born 1464, Nogent-le-Roi, died 1505, Bourges. Kept on 4 February. Religious order: Third Order of Saint Francis, Sisters of the Annunciation.

Brigid of Kildare

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Brigid of Kildare, irish abbess and saint (c. 451 - 525). Born 453, Faughart, died 525, Kildare. Kept on 1 February. Patron of Don, Sainte-Brigitte, Santa Brigida.

Melangell

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Melangell, welsh hermit and patron saint of hares. Born 800, Ireland, died 800, Kingdom of Powys. Kept on 31 January.

Aldegund

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Aldegund, frankish saint and abbess (639-684). Born 639, Cousolre, died 684, Maubeuge. Kept on 30 January. Religious order: Benedictines.

Melania the Elder

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Melania the Elder, holy Land saint. Born 350, Rome, died 410, Jerusalem. Kept on 26 January.

Caesaria of Arles

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Caesaria of Arles, french abbess. Born 500, Chalon-sur-Saône, died 600, Arles. Kept on 12 January.

Brannoc of Braunton

Sun, 07 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Brannoc of Braunton, christian saint. Died Braunton. Kept on 7 January.

Sæthryth

Sun, 07 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Sæthryth, east Anglian saint. Born 650, died 601. Kept on 7 January. Religious order: Benedictines.

Elizabeth Ann Seton

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Elizabeth Ann Seton, first native-born American saint of the Roman Catholic Church (1774-1821). Born 1774, New York City, died 1821, Emmitsburg. Kept on 4 January, the day the General Roman Calendar gives to Elizabeth Ann Seton. Religious order: Congregation of the Mission.

Æthelburh of Wilton