St Hilda

Hilda was a princess because she was raised by King Edwin of Northumbria in England, after her father died when she was only a baby. She was born during a time when the people in England were just learning about Jesus. She was baptized with the King and her whole family, because they had come to believe that Jesus was the Son of God. Hilda had an older sister named Hereswith who lived a holy life, doing whatever God asked her. Because of Hereswith’s example, Hilda also wanted to live her life for Jesus. When Hilda was 33 years old, she joined a convent and became a nun. Soon, because of her wisdom and ability to organize things and guide people, the Bishop asked her to start a new monastery in a town called Whitby in England. Since she was so wise (able to make really good decisions), kings and princesses came to her to ask for advice when they had to make important decisions. She also helped train 5 Bishops in their work of leading the Church in their Diocese. Since the Catholic faith was so new in England, she helped guide the leaders of the Church to make good decisions. She also cared for all the ordinary people around her and helped them to use the gifts God gave them to give Him glory. Hilda always had lots of energy and never stopped doing the work God asked of her. She is considered one of the greatest women in England.