Saint Who?
Saints Who Were Mothers
Blessed Hildegard Burjan
Married laywoman († 1933) Feast: June 12
Hildegard was born to non-practicing Jewish parents in Germany but raised in Switzerland. In college, she studied German literature, philosophy, and economics, and she earned a doctorate. She was twenty-four years old when she married a Hungarian entrepreneur, Alexander Burjan. But soon afterward, she developed acute renal colic, a painful condition that required hospitalization and multiple surgeries. Her case seemed hopeless, but the kindness she saw in the religious sisters in the hospital gave her hope, as well as making her curious about God and religion. After her surprising recovery, she decided to learn more, embraced the faith, and was baptized, with her husband following her into the Church a year later.
Now living in Austria, Hildegard became pregnant. She had already miscarried several times, and her doctor advised her to have an abortion. She refused. Her only child, Lisa, was born in 1910.
Inspired by the papal encyclical Rerum Novarum, Hildegard began to take an interest in social issues. Following Catholic social teaching, she founded groups to support workers, gave talks on the rights of workers—particularly women—in the workplace, and became one of the first female members of the Austrian Parliament. When her health problems resurfaced, she was forced to retire. Her final words were to her Savior, begging him to “make all men lovable so that You might love them.”
Lord Jesus, give us the grace to be kind and loving toward others, that they might find their way to you.
