Saint Margaret of Hungary

Biography

Saint Richardis of Andlau, also known as Richardis of Swabia, Richardis of Alsace, Richardis de Soabe, Riccarda, Richarda, Richarde, Richgard, Richgarda, or Richkart, was born in 839 in Andlau, Alsace, France. She was the daughter of Kenneth I, the Count of Alsace, and a Scottish emigré. Richardis was also the sister of King Boso of Provence, which brought her into the noble circles of the time. At the young age of 22, Richardis entered into holy matrimony with Charles the Fat. Charles, who would later become the Holy Roman Emperor, was enamored by Richardis' beauty and charm. Their marriage set Richardis on a path filled with unexpected twists and turns. In 881, after nineteen years of marriage, Richardis was accused by Emperor Charles of infidelity. The accusations seemed to be politically motivated, as Charles claimed she was involved with Bishop Liutword of Vercelli. Richardis vehemently denied the charges and was determined to prove her innocence. To demonstrate her purity, Richardis willingly underwent the trial by fire, a ritual that was considered barbaric by modern standards. This test involved placing the accused in flames, and if they emerged unscathed, it would be seen as proof of their innocence. Miraculously, Richardis survived the ordeal, emerging unharmed and vindicating herself from the accusations. Despite her acquittal, Richardis chose to leave Charles and their marriage. She sought a newfound purpose in life and dedicated herself to a spiritual path. She found solace in the Château de Hohenbourg, a castle located in Alsace, where she became a nun. Not content with a solitary existence, Richardis founded a Benedictine abbey in the town of Andlau, France, in 887. This abbey became a thriving center of religious and intellectual life, owing much of its success to Richardis' unwavering dedication and leadership. Legend surrounds Richardis, telling of a miraculous encounter she had with a mother bear and her dead cub. In the woods near the abbey, Richardis found the grieving mother bear and, moved by compassion, she held the lifeless cub in her arms. Miraculously, the cub was brought back to life, and both the mother bear and her cub became devoted companions of Richardis. Richardis lived out the remainder of her days in Andlau, continuing her spiritual journey and guiding others in their pursuit of God's will. She passed away around the year 895, in the same place where she had reestablished her life. Her relics are preserved in an 11th-century church in Andlau, serving as a reminder of her profound spirituality and impact on the religious community. Although Saint Richardis of Andlou was never officially canonized by the Catholic Church, her sanctity and devotion to God were recognized by the faithful long before the formal canonization process existed. She is venerated as a saint, even though her recognition predates the institution of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Saint Richardis' life serves as an inspiration to the faithful, showing us the importance of perseverance in the face of unjust accusations, the power of forgiveness, and the transformative potential of a life dedicated to God's service.