August 13--St. Radegund, Religious

St. Radegunda, Encyclopedia Brittanica.

Daughter of a king, kidnapped at age twelve, married to the King of France as his fifth wife and subsequently mistreated by him due to her life of prayer and service, today’s saint, St. Radegund (520-587), withstood such abuse. However, her husband had her brother murdered, which prompted her to go to the bishop to allow her to become a nun. When he hesitated in fear of the king, she demanded, “If you refuse to consecrate me a deaconess, you fear man more than God, and he will require you to account for my soul.” The bishop acquiesced. After this, St. Radegund wrote, “I asked myself, with all the ardor of which I am capable, how I could best forward the cause of other women, and know, if our Lord willed, my own personal desires might be of advantage to my sisters.” She founded a double monastery–for men and women–Holy Cross in Poitiers, France. She was known for her asceticism and her learning.

Some say that the Church does not respect women because women are not ordained. Wherein does power lie? Not in ordination. Look to St. Radegund as a model of power. She founded a double monastery and served others. True power is about humility, love, and service. Jesus said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mt. 20:25-28). Love is power! St. Radegund, pray for us!