St.Notburga

St. Notburga

Born:1265

Position: to put

Death: 1313

Patron: farmers, servants; invoked for a happy birth in all problematic situations in agriculture and livestock diseases

Attributes: alms, pitcher, loaves, ears of corn, maid, sickle

CURRICULUM VITAE

She came from Rattenberg in Tyrol. She lived as a pious, simple maid who, despite her mistress’s wrongs and malice, maintained a firm Christian attitude. In the second service, she became known for her principle of devoting herself to prayer and sanctifying Sundays and holy days from the first Vespers of the feast. She also excelled in her merciful love for people with low incomes throughout her life.

Her biography reminds us of what we need for a happy life. God has the first place in our lives. This also includes observing the third commandment and work associated with prayer. Holiness does not exclude any social group—the call to holiness applies to every condition.

THE TIME RESERVED TO GOD MUST BE OBSERVED

She was born in 1265 in Rattenberg in Tyrol, Austria. The parents lived in poverty, although they had a small farm, and the father mastered the hatter’s trade. The family had a Christian upbringing, and Notburga was led to honest work, piety, and other virtues from childhood. In a quiet, undemanding family, she acquired obedience, humility, and a kind attitude towards all people. That is why she soon became popular in the village. At the age of 18, allegedly after the death of her parents, she entered the service at the nearby castle of the lords of Rattenberg. Count Henry I and his wife respected the pious maids, and their kindness is also written about.

Notburga had a heart full of merciful love for people with low incomes and always gave them what she had saved for herself. In time, she was entrusted with some castle management and allowed to distribute the surplus food after dining among people experiencing poverty. At the same time, the excellent maid gave away what she earned herself. She lovingly added pious admonitions to the alms. However, after six years, the noble earl died, and his wife soon followed him. Their deaths ended a pleasant period at the castle.

Young Henry II did not follow his mother’s advice and did not observe that Nortburga’s work, combined with prayer and acts of mercy, brought blessings. He was influenced by his wife, Otília, a hard-hearted woman. She was mean to Notburg and put hard and unnecessary work on her. The scraps that used to be given to beggars had to all be thrown to the pigs by her order. Notburga, therefore, fasted and fed people experiencing poverty from her ration. Otília found out about it, she angered Henry II. against the maid, and he allegedly caught her with food in an apron on her way to people experiencing poverty. After the order “open the apron!” the young count, according to legend, saw only chips and lye. He let Nortburga continue on her way and informed Otília of the result of his inspection. Upon her return, the maid experienced the malice of her mistress, who accused her of mocking Henry II. and dismissed her from service. Nortburga remained calm despite all grievances and did not allow herself to be provoked, even by retaliatory thoughts. This is evidenced by the acts of love during Otília’s severe sudden illness. She nursed her patiently with kindness, prayed for her, and, before her death, led her to receive the sacraments. Then she left the castle.

She went to the service of a landowner in Eben, from whom she demanded a promise that after the “kneeling” with which the holiday day begins, she would no longer have to do any work and would be able to devote herself to prayer. Nevertheless, after a specific time, it happened that at harvest time, the landowner ordered the remaining part of the field to be harvested and prevented Notburze from going to the chapel of St. Rupert. According to legend, she raised the sickle and said: “God be the judge between me and you!” After that, her hand left the sickle, hanging in the air despite the attraction. The report that she hung up the sickle and went to prayers was later preserved on a plaque in the church dedicated to her, and the sickle became her main attribute.

Notburga continued to serve faithfully. Although she was said to be unable to write or read learned books, she mastered reading in nature and learned many profound truths about God from it. She appeared before him in contemplation with an open and repentant heart, praising him for his goodness.

Meanwhile, the situation at Rattenberg has changed. Henry II got into a war against his brother, and he considered the impoverishment and all the pains that the war caused as a punishment for the misdeeds he and Otilia had committed due to avarice. He decided to start a new life with a new wife and missed the maid with whom the blessing left the house. He sought out Notburga in Eben, sought her consent, and after making a deal with her landlord, brought her back to Rattenberg. Here, he entrusted her with the management of the economy. He married Margaret of Hohenegg, who respected the Notburgs. She lived with them until her death and helped them raise their children.

She was buried in Eben. The reason is that, according to her wishes, she was taken there by a carriage without a carriage, which stopped at her favorite chapel of St. Rupert. In 1434, a temple dedicated to this maid was built here. In 1718, her remains were allegedly transferred to the temple with the permission of the Pope. Pope Pius IX confirmed her cult on March 27, 1862. and the following year, its distribution was allegedly still limited. It was not canonization as we know it today, but she has the title of saint in the martyrology.

RESOLUTION, PRAYER

I will reflect on how much I have applied the priority of living with and for God in my life and set principles for improvement.

God revealed to us that love for You and our neighbor fulfills all Your commandments; help us, like Saint Notburga, willingly to show mercy and thus be among those who enter Your kingdom. Through your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit forever and ever.