<p>St. Metchtildis was born Matilda von Hackeborn-Wippra, in Saxony, what is now Germany.&nbsp; She belonged to one of the noblest and most powerful Thuringian families, and her sister was the Abbess Gertrude of Hackeborn.&nbsp; She was so fragile at birth; they feared she might die without being baptized.&nbsp; They hurried off to the Priest who was preparing to say Mass.&nbsp; He was known as a pious Priest, noted for his sanctity, and he declared, &ldquo;What do you fear? This child most certainly will not die, but she will become a saintly religious in whom God will work many wonders, and she will end her days in a good old age&rdquo;. &nbsp;</p> <p>When she was seven years old, having been taken by her mother on a visit to her elder sister Gertrude, who is now St. Gertrude, at that time a nun in the Cistercian monastery, she became so enamoured of the cloister that her pious parents granted her request and allowed her to enter.&nbsp; She was gifted in mind and body, and made remarkable progress in virtue and learning.&nbsp; Ten years later she followed her sister who now was the Abbess, and transferred the monastery to an estate at Helfta, given to them by her brothers.&nbsp; She was in charge of the alumnate and the choir. &nbsp;</p> <p>Gifted with a beautiful voice, she possessed a special talent for rendering the solemn and sacred music.&nbsp; Divine praise was the keynote of her life.&nbsp; She was a mystic, and many came to her for advice.&nbsp; Even learned Dominicans consulted her on spiritual matters.&nbsp; She had a vision of Christ holding in His hand the book of her revelations and writings, saying, &ldquo;All this has been committed to writing by my will and inspiration, and, therefore you have no cause to be troubled about it&rdquo;.&nbsp; He also told her that as He had been so generous towards her, she must make Him a like return, and that the diffusion of the revelations would cause many to increase in His love, moreover, He wished this book to be called, &ldquo;The Book of Specail Grace&rdquo;, because it would prove such to many.&nbsp; Immediately after her death, it was made public, and copies were distributed in volume. &nbsp;</p> <p>She died in the Monastery of Helfta, on November 19, 1298.&nbsp; Her feast is celebrated on the anniversary of her death.&nbsp; With that of St. Gertrude, the body of St. Mechtildis most likely still reposes at Old Helfta, though the exact spot is unknown. &nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Practical Take Away</strong></span></p> <p>St. Metchtildis of Helfta was drawn to the spiritual life at an early age.&nbsp; She entered the cloister at Helfta, and was put in charge of the choir.&nbsp; She was both gifted spiritually and musically.&nbsp; She was a mystic, and had visions of Jesus, telling her that her writings would be a blessing to many.&nbsp; He wished this book be called &ldquo;The Book of Special Grace&rdquo; because it would prove such, to many.&nbsp; She died in the Monastery in Helfta, and her feast day is celebrated on November 19^th.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>