Sept 13th - Saint Notburga By: Venassa Jijo

Saint Notburga was a cook in the family of Count Henry of Rothenburg and used to give food to the poor. But her mistress, Ottilia, ordered her to feed the swine with the leftover food. So, Saint Notburga saved some of her own food, especially on Fridays, and brought it to the poor. Once Ottila passed away, Notburga entered into the service of a peasant on a condition that would permit her to go to church evenings before Sundays and festivals. One evening, her old master urged her to continue working in his fields. She threw her sickle in the hair and said, “Let my sickle be the judge between me and you,” and the sickle remained suspended in the air. After some time, Saint Notburga could feel herself weakening. Shortly before her death, she told her master to place her corpse on a wagon drawn by two oxen, and to bury her wherever the oxen took her. They drew her wagon to the chapel of St. Rubert, where she was buried. Saint Notburga is the patroness of servants and peasants.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER

Heavenly Lord, Saint Notburga served as a maid for a nobleman, and then she went to work for a peasant family.  She discovered that she preferred working for the poor and devoted the rest of her life to this.  I ask her to pray for me when I have opportunities to work for those who cannot afford my services.  Help me, O God, to consider people as a higher priority than money, not basing my services on what they can pay, but on whether or not I can supply what they’re needing.  When I am the one who cannot afford others’ services, be generous with me, too, dear Lord.  
Saint Notburga, pray for me.  Amen.