About St. Hedwig of Silesia
St. Hedwig of Silesia (1174–1243) was a duchess renowned for her holiness, humility, and extraordinary charity. Born into a noble family in Bavaria, she married Henry I the Bearded and became Duchess of Silesia.
Despite her royal position, Hedwig lived simply and devoted herself to serving the poor, the sick, widows, and orphans. She founded hospitals, monasteries, and charitable institutions, generously using her wealth to care for those in need. After her husband’s death, she entered the Cistercian Order monastery at Trzebnica, where her daughter was abbess, while continuing a life of prayer and penance without taking religious vows.
St. Hedwig was canonized by Pope Clement IV in 1267. She is honored as the patron saint of Silesia, widows, brides, and those in need.
Her feast day is celebrated on October 16.
What is the St. Hedwig Novena?
The St. Hedwig Novena is a nine-day Catholic prayer asking for the intercession of St. Hedwig of Silesia for charity, humility, perseverance, and trust in God’s providence.
Who was St. Hedwig?
St. Hedwig was the Duchess of Silesia, known for her deep faith, generous care for the poor, and life of humility despite her royal status.
When should I pray the St. Hedwig Novena?
You may pray this novena at any time during the year. Many Catholics begin it before her feast day on October 16.
What can I pray for during this novena?
You may pray for:
- Charity toward others
- Humility
- Strength during trials
- Care for the poor
- Peace in the family
- Trust in God’s providence
- Holiness of life
- Any special intention
What is St. Hedwig the patron saint of?
St. Hedwig is the patron saint of Silesia, widows, brides, and people in need. She is also invoked by those seeking strength to serve the poor with generosity and compassion.
Why is St. Hedwig important?
St. Hedwig showed that wealth and status can be used for God’s glory through generous service to the poor. Her life remains a model of Christian charity, humility, and self-sacrifice.
Can I pray this novena for someone else?
Yes. You may offer the novena for family members, friends, the poor, widows, the sick, or anyone in need of God’s grace.
How do I pray the St. Hedwig Novena?
Begin with the Sign of the Cross, pray the novena prayer each day for nine consecutive days, present your special intention, and conclude with one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.
| Novena Begins: | October 7 |
| Feast Day: | October 16 |
Patron Saint of Orphans
Day 1 – St. Hedwig Novena
Let us begin: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O St. Hedwig, in this world you rejected the honors of the royal court—its pomp, luxury, and pleasures—and chose instead to serve the poor, helping them in their poverty and suffering.
Now that you rejoice in Heaven, look kindly upon us, your fellow pilgrims on earth, and obtain for us the grace we seek.
(Mention your request here…)
Obtain for us also the grace to live always in the peace and friendship of God.
Amen.
V. Pray for us, St. Hedwig.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
O God, You taught St. Hedwig to prefer, with all her heart, the humble way of Your Cross to the passing glory of the world. Through her merits and example, grant that we may reject the fleeting pleasures of this life and, by embracing Your Cross, overcome every trial and faithfully follow Christ.
Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Pray one: Our Father…
Pray one: Hail Mary…
Pray one: Glory Be…
Day 2 – St. Hedwig Novena
Let us begin: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O St. Hedwig, in this world you rejected the honors of the royal court—its pomp, luxury, and pleasures—and chose instead to serve the poor, helping them in their poverty and suffering.
Now that you rejoice in Heaven, look kindly upon us, your fellow pilgrims on earth, and obtain for us the grace we seek.
(Mention your request here…)
Obtain for us also the grace to live always in the peace and friendship of God.
Amen.
V. Pray for us, St. Hedwig.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
O God, You taught St. Hedwig to prefer, with all her heart, the humble way of Your Cross to the passing glory of the world. Through her merits and example, grant that we may reject the fleeting pleasures of this life and, by embracing Your Cross, overcome every trial and faithfully follow Christ.
Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Pray one: Our Father…
Pray one: Hail Mary…
Pray one: Glory Be…
Day 3 – St. Hedwig Novena
Let us begin: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O St. Hedwig, in this world you rejected the honors of the royal court—its pomp, luxury, and pleasures—and chose instead to serve the poor, helping them in their poverty and suffering.
Now that you rejoice in Heaven, look kindly upon us, your fellow pilgrims on earth, and obtain for us the grace we seek.
(Mention your request here…)
Obtain for us also the grace to live always in the peace and friendship of God.
Amen.
V. Pray for us, St. Hedwig.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
O God, You taught St. Hedwig to prefer, with all her heart, the humble way of Your Cross to the passing glory of the world. Through her merits and example, grant that we may reject the fleeting pleasures of this life and, by embracing Your Cross, overcome every trial and faithfully follow Christ.
Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Pray one: Our Father…
Pray one: Hail Mary…
Pray one: Glory Be…
Day 4 – St. Hedwig Novena
Let us begin: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O St. Hedwig, in this world you rejected the honors of the royal court—its pomp, luxury, and pleasures—and chose instead to serve the poor, helping them in their poverty and suffering.
Now that you rejoice in Heaven, look kindly upon us, your fellow pilgrims on earth, and obtain for us the grace we seek.
(Mention your request here…)
Obtain for us also the grace to live always in the peace and friendship of God.
Amen.
V. Pray for us, St. Hedwig.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
O God, You taught St. Hedwig to prefer, with all her heart, the humble way of Your Cross to the passing glory of the world. Through her merits and example, grant that we may reject the fleeting pleasures of this life and, by embracing Your Cross, overcome every trial and faithfully follow Christ.
Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Pray one: Our Father…
Pray one: Hail Mary…
Pray one: Glory Be…
Day 5 – St. Hedwig Novena
Let us begin: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O St. Hedwig, in this world you rejected the honors of the royal court—its pomp, luxury, and pleasures—and chose instead to serve the poor, helping them in their poverty and suffering.
Now that you rejoice in Heaven, look kindly upon us, your fellow pilgrims on earth, and obtain for us the grace we seek.
(Mention your request here…)
Obtain for us also the grace to live always in the peace and friendship of God.
Amen.
V. Pray for us, St. Hedwig.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
O God, You taught St. Hedwig to prefer, with all her heart, the humble way of Your Cross to the passing glory of the world. Through her merits and example, grant that we may reject the fleeting pleasures of this life and, by embracing Your Cross, overcome every trial and faithfully follow Christ.
Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Pray one: Our Father…
Pray one: Hail Mary…
Pray one: Glory Be…
Day 6 – St. Hedwig Novena
Let us begin: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O St. Hedwig, in this world you rejected the honors of the royal court—its pomp, luxury, and pleasures—and chose instead to serve the poor, helping them in their poverty and suffering.
Now that you rejoice in Heaven, look kindly upon us, your fellow pilgrims on earth, and obtain for us the grace we seek.
(Mention your request here…)
Obtain for us also the grace to live always in the peace and friendship of God.
Amen.
V. Pray for us, St. Hedwig.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
O God, You taught St. Hedwig to prefer, with all her heart, the humble way of Your Cross to the passing glory of the world. Through her merits and example, grant that we may reject the fleeting pleasures of this life and, by embracing Your Cross, overcome every trial and faithfully follow Christ.
Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Pray one: Our Father…
Pray one: Hail Mary…
Pray one: Glory Be…
Day 7 – St. Hedwig Novena
Let us begin: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O St. Hedwig, in this world you rejected the honors of the royal court—its pomp, luxury, and pleasures—and chose instead to serve the poor, helping them in their poverty and suffering.
Now that you rejoice in Heaven, look kindly upon us, your fellow pilgrims on earth, and obtain for us the grace we seek.
(Mention your request here…)
Obtain for us also the grace to live always in the peace and friendship of God.
Amen.
V. Pray for us, St. Hedwig.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
O God, You taught St. Hedwig to prefer, with all her heart, the humble way of Your Cross to the passing glory of the world. Through her merits and example, grant that we may reject the fleeting pleasures of this life and, by embracing Your Cross, overcome every trial and faithfully follow Christ.
Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Pray one: Our Father…
Pray one: Hail Mary…
Pray one: Glory Be…
Day 8 – St. Hedwig Novena
Let us begin: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O St. Hedwig, in this world you rejected the honors of the royal court—its pomp, luxury, and pleasures—and chose instead to serve the poor, helping them in their poverty and suffering.
Now that you rejoice in Heaven, look kindly upon us, your fellow pilgrims on earth, and obtain for us the grace we seek.
(Mention your request here…)
Obtain for us also the grace to live always in the peace and friendship of God.
Amen.
V. Pray for us, St. Hedwig.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
O God, You taught St. Hedwig to prefer, with all her heart, the humble way of Your Cross to the passing glory of the world. Through her merits and example, grant that we may reject the fleeting pleasures of this life and, by embracing Your Cross, overcome every trial and faithfully follow Christ.
Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Pray one: Our Father…
Pray one: Hail Mary…
Pray one: Glory Be…
Day 9 – St. Hedwig Novena
Let us begin: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O St. Hedwig, in this world you rejected the honors of the royal court—its pomp, luxury, and pleasures—and chose instead to serve the poor, helping them in their poverty and suffering.
Now that you rejoice in Heaven, look kindly upon us, your fellow pilgrims on earth, and obtain for us the grace we seek.
(Mention your request here…)
Obtain for us also the grace to live always in the peace and friendship of God.
Amen.
V. Pray for us, St. Hedwig.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
O God, You taught St. Hedwig to prefer, with all her heart, the humble way of Your Cross to the passing glory of the world. Through her merits and example, grant that we may reject the fleeting pleasures of this life and, by embracing Your Cross, overcome every trial and faithfully follow Christ.
Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Pray one: Our Father…
Pray one: Hail Mary…
Pray one: Glory Be…
Leave us your prayers…