December 16 + Saint Adelaide of Burgundy

Adelaide was a picture of grace and beauty. She was born a princess in 931 and was to became not only the Queen of Italy, but the Empress of Italy.

The daughter of King Rudolf II of Burgundy, France, she was promised at age two in an arranged marriage as part of a treaty between Rudolf and Hugh of Provence. At age 16, she married Lothair, who became King of Italy. Lothair died just 3 years after their marriage — it was thought that Lothair was poisoned by his successor to the throne, Berengarius. As part of his attempt to solidify his grip on power, Berengarius ordered Adelaide to marry his son but she refused and was imprisoned.

It is believed that a priest came and dug a tunnel to where she was being kept and helped her escape. She remained hidden in the woods until the Duke of Canossa, who had found out about her escape, came and took her to his castle. During this time the Italians had turned against Berengarius and had compelled the German King Otto the Great to invade Italy. His invasion was successful and while in Canossa he met Adelaide and ended up marrying her on Christmas Day. He was crowned Emperor in Rome and Adelaide reigned with him for 20 years. She again, became a widow in 973 and was ill-treated by her step-son, Emperor Otto II and his wife Theophano, but eventually reconciled with them.

When Otto II died in 983, he was succeeded by his infant son, Otto III. Theophano acted as regent, and since she still did not like Adelaide, used her power to exile her from the royal court. Theophano died in 991, and Adelaide returned once again to the court to act as regent for the child emperor. She used her position and power to help the poor, evangelize and to build and restore monasteries and churches. When Otto III was old enough, Adelaide retired to the convent of Selta near Cologne, a house she had built. Though she never became a nun, she spent the rest of her days there in prayer.

Saint Adelaide is the Patron Saint of abuse victims, brides, in-law problems, parenthood, parents of large families, princesses, prisoners, second marriages, step-parents and widows.