Bathildis was truly a Cinderella-like figure.
She was born in England, where she was enslaved and taken to Neustria, which was part of the Frankish kingdom. She was sold into service of the wife of Erchinoald, mayor of Neustria. Her intelligence and humility inspired the confidence of her master who gave many of the affairs of the household into her charge. King Clovis II met her during this time, and was so impressed by her beauty, grace, and the good report he had of her that he freed and married her in 649. The English slave had now become a queen!
This sudden elevation did not make her arrogant, but helped her to practice the virtues of humility, a spirit of prayer, and generosity to the poor even more than before. Seven years after their marriage Clovis II died, leaving Bathildis with three sons, Clothaire, Childeric, and Thierry. When her son, Clothaire III, aged five, was declared king under her regency, Bathildis began to carry out useful reforms. She abolished the disgraceful trade in Christian slaves, and firmly repressed simony among the clergy. She also led the way in founding charitable and religious institutions, such as hospitals and monasteries. She had founded a Benedictine convent at Chelles, as well as St. Denis Monastery and Corbie.
When Clotaire III assumed the throne, Bathildis retired to the convent at Chelles, where she renounced her royalty and desired to be the lowest in rank in community. It was her pleasure to take her position after the novices and to serve the poor and infirm with her own hands. Prayer and manual toil occupied her time, nor did she wish any allusion made to the grandeur of her past position. In this manner she passed fifteen years until she died peacfully on January 30.
This print is part of the "Happy Saint" collection by Anna Morelli.
The image is professionally printed, hand-signed by the artist, and comes enclosed in a plastic sleeve to ensure protection.
Saint Bathildis
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Reviews
I can't tell you how happy and inspired these "Happy Saint" portraits make me! I now have 3 on my wall and every time I look at them I feel inspired to pray, to hope, to turn more to God, to talk to Him, to smile, to surrender my life to God more and more. I am inspired to think of the good qualities of these Saints and to be thankful for the good that God does in and for His children. I love that Happy Saints also paints lesser known Saints because I love getting to meet new friends in Heaven! I love the story of St. Bathildis. She's even better than Cinderella because she lived to serve Jesus even after she became a queen. This Happy Saint portrait is a perfect addition to any classroom, home, bedroom for young or old. The quality is so amazing and there is so much holy love in the shipping and packaging! This isn't a business it's a ministry and you can tell because there is so much love in the art and in the interactions with the sellers! God bless HappySaintArt! :D