Jun 25, 2018

β›ͺ Blessed Dorothy of Montau

β›ͺ Saint of the Day: June 25

β›ͺ Other Names: β€’ Dorota z MatowΓ³w β€’ Dorothea of Montau β€’ Dorothea Swartz β€’ Dorothea von Montau
β€’ Dorthea von Montau

β›ͺ Born: 6 February 1347 at Gross Montau, Prussia, one of the states of the Teutonic Knights (modern Matowy Wielkie, Poland)

β›ͺ Died: 25 January 1394 at Marienwerder, Kwidzyn, Prussia (in modern Poland) of natural causes

β›ͺ Representation: β€’ nine children β€’ lantern β€’ rosary
β€’ holding the Book of Revelations, a rosary and five arrows

β›ͺ Patronage: β€’ brides β€’ death of children β€’ difficult marriages β€’ parents of large families
β€’ widows β€’ Pomerania β€’ Prussia

Blessed Dorothy of Montau, also known as Dorothy of Prussia, was a 14th-century mystic and visionary. Here's an overview of her life:

Early Life:

Dorothy was born around 1347 in Montau (present-day Poland), which was then part of the Kingdom of Poland. Little is known about her early life, but she was born into a peasant family and worked as a shepherdess. Despite her humble origins, she was known for her piety and devoutness from a young age.

Marriage and Family Life:

Dorothy married a wealthy Prussian merchant named Albrecht of Danzig when she was around 16 years old. They had nine children together. Despite her domestic responsibilities, Dorothy continued to prioritize her spiritual life, devoting herself to prayer, penance, and acts of charity.

Visions and Mystical Experiences:

Dorothy began to experience mystical visions and revelations early in her marriage. She claimed to receive messages from Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, who instructed her on matters of faith and spirituality. These experiences deepened her devotion and fueled her desire for a life of holiness.

Spiritual Practices:

Dorothy practiced severe asceticism, including fasting, self-mortification, and long hours of prayer and contemplation. She embraced a life of poverty and simplicity, renouncing worldly comforts and pleasures in favor of a closer union with God.

Widowhood and Later Life:

After her husband's death in 1389, Dorothy withdrew from the world and dedicated herself entirely to a life of prayer and solitude. She lived as a recluse in a small cell attached to the church of St. John in Montau. Despite her seclusion, she continued to receive visitors seeking spiritual guidance and consolation.

Death and Beatification:

Dorothy died on June 25, 1394. Her reputation for holiness and her reported miracles attracted pilgrims to her tomb, and devotion to her grew over the centuries. In 1976, Pope Paul VI confirmed her beatification, recognizing her as a woman of exceptional holiness and virtue.

Legacy:

Blessed Dorothy of Montau is venerated as a patroness of Prussia and is remembered for her profound spirituality, her mystical experiences, and her dedication to a life of prayer and penance. She serves as an inspiration to those seeking a deeper relationship with God and a greater commitment to the Christian faith.

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