Mechtilde von Hackeborn-Wippra was born in 1241 in the ancestral castle of Helfta, in Saxony, of the Roman Empire which is the current country of Germany. She was the 3rd of 4 children to the knight Sir Henry of Hackeborn and his wife. They were a family who belonged to one of the noblest and most powerful Thuringian families of a dynasty of Barons.

At her birth, she was so fragile, that she was hurried off to a priest to be baptized as they did not think she’d make it much longer.

When she was 7, she was taken by her mother to visit her elder sister, Gertrude, who was a nun in the Cistercian monastery in Rodersdorf for education under her grandmother’s influence. She became so enamored with the cloister that her parents yielded to her requests and she was allowed to enter the novitiate, where she made remarkable progress in virtue and learning.

As early as the age of 14, she began having visions and became a mystic. Because of this, she was highly revered by her community.

At 17, she followed her sister who had transferred the monastery to an estate at Helfta which had been given by their brothers, Louis and Albert.

She was recognized for her humility, fervour, and amiability and eventually became headmistress of the school and choir director. She was famous for her musical talents and beautiful voice and never tired of praising God.

She was committed to care for a 5 year-old child, who later became known as Saint Gertrude the Great. Mechtilde influenced her with her charism of heart prayer.

Her deep devotion and sincere piety endeared her to her fellow sisters, and she became a sought-after spiritual advisor. Her wisdom and spiritual insights became influential, even among the learned Dominicans as she was considered a prophet and counsellor.

She compiled the Book of Special Grace, which included her teachings and experiences. Her life was marked by vivid mystical experiences and intense visions. She had a profound devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and was known to engage in efficacious intercessory prayers for the salvation of souls. Since the age of 20, Christ appeared to her during prayer. He reassured her that the publication of her book would not cause any harm. In addition, He referred to her as His “nightingale”.

She died peacefully on November 19, 1298, at the Helfta Monastery after receiving Viaticum and was buried in the abbey chapter house.

Immediately after her death, her book was made public and copies were rapidly multiplied, owing primarily to the widespread influence of the Friars Preachers.

She is the patron saint of musicians, those ridiculed for piety, and against blindness.

Her feast day is November 19.

For God’s Glory.