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Saint Adelaide
Popular devotion December 16Empress

Saint Adelaide

Holy Roman Empress who survived prison, betrayal and family conflict, and spent her wealth on the poor.

Abel Terral, Saint Adelaide, Queen of Italy and Empress, 19th century (public domain)

Who was Saint Adelaide?

Adelaide (931–999), daughter of the King of Burgundy, was widowed young and imprisoned by a rival king before escaping. She married Otto I and became Holy Roman Empress. After years of conflict with her own family she served as regent, then devoted herself to prayer, the poor and founding monasteries.

Feast day and traditions

English sites call her a patroness of brides, step-parents, second marriages and "difficult in-laws". December 16 also begins Simbang Gabi (Filipino) and Las Posadas (Mexican), the nine days before Christmas kept in many US parishes.

Prayer

St. Adelaide, you forgave those who hurt you. Help me forgive and trust God in hard times. Amen.

Novena

To pray a novena that ends on the eve of the feast, begin on December 7 and finish on December 15.

Mass readings

Read the Mass readings for December 16 from the US bishops (USCCB).

Open readings →

Celebrate as a family

Pray for your in-laws and extended family, and call one of them.

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