The people of every age yearn for God. We have a longing to draw nearer to and a desire to be in communion with God. The opening paragraph of the Catechism of the Catholic Church illustrates this desire perfectly. It reads, “The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself. Only in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for.” (CCC 1)

Hedwig of Silesia lived her entire life searching for God, yearning to get closer and closer to Him. She was a noble woman from Silesia (near modern day Poland) who was married at age twelve to a duke named Henry. Despite her busy life raising seven children, Hedwig had a great concern for the needs of others. Somehow, she made the time to found several hospitals, open monasteries, and help the orphans and widows in her community. 

After many years of marriage, Hedwig wanted to live even more exclusively for her faith, so she convinced Henry to join her in taking a vow of chastity. After his death, she joined a nearby convent, where her daughter was the abbess. And she lived out the rest of her life in humble service of God and others. Hedwig never stopped searching for God, she never stopped finding ways big and small to serve Him and grow in her faith. 

How intentionally are you searching for God? And in what ways have you discovered Him? Hedwig’s life is an invitation to all of us to renew our search for God. The danger, the trap, the temptation, is to think, "Oh yeah, I sort of know about God, I sort of know about faith," and then to stop searching, to stop seeking God really actively and intentionally. It's so easy to become average, mediocre, and lukewarm in all things spiritual. Don’t let that be your story! 

Today, go searching for God, for his truth, for his wisdom. You’ll be amazed at what you discover.

 

Feast Day: October 16

Feast Day Shared By: Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque and Saint Gerard Majella

Patron Saint of: Brides and Orphans

Symbols: Holding a Miniature Church, Holding a Pair of Shoes

Canonized: March 26, 1267

Canonized By: Pope Clement IV