January 30

The story begins around the year 630. A frightened, Christian English

girl could have never imagined what her future would be like. What she

did know was that she had been kidnapped and was on a pirate ship. Where

was she going? Who could she ask? Finally, the ship docked and she heard

people saying they were in France. Bathildis was quickly sold as a slave

to the manager of King Clovis's palace.

The rest of the story is like a Cinderella fairy tale, except that this

tale is really true. The quiet girl paid careful attention as her chores

were explained or demonstrated to her. Day after day, she went from one

task to another doing the very best she could. She was shy and gentle,

but even King Clovis began to notice her. The more he observed, the more

he was impressed. This was the kind of girl who would make a wonderful

wife--even a king's wife. In 649, Clovis married Bathildis. The little

slave girl had become the queen. They had three sons. Clovis died when

the oldest son was only five, so Bathildis would be ruler of France until

her son grew up.

It must have been surprising to just about everybody that Bathildis

could rule so wisely. She remembered too well what it was like to be

poor. She remembered also her years as a slave. She had been sold as if

she was a "thing of little value." Bathildis wanted everyone to know how

precious they were to God. She was filled with love of Jesus and his

Church. She used her position to help the Church in every way she could.

She did not become proud or arrogant. Rather, she cared for the poor.

She also protected people from being captured and treated as slaves. She

filled France with hospitals. She started a seminary to train priests and

a convent for nuns. Later, Queen Bathildis entered the convent herself.

As a nun, she set aside her royal dignity. She became one of the nuns,

humble and obedient. She never demanded for even expected that other

people should wait on her. She was also very kind and gentle with the

sick. When she became ill, she suffered a long, painful illness until her

death on January 30, 680.

Queen Bathildis' life shows us how each day is a new beginning. It can

bring wonderful surprises. So when we are afraid because we do not know

what is happening, we can ask St. Bathildis to show us how to trust God.