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| #REDIRECT [[Saint Mechtilde of Hackeborn]] | | #REDIRECT [[Saint Mechtilde of Hackeborn]] |
| {{Saints
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| |SaintName=Saint Mechtilde of Hackeborn
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| |SaintStage=Saint
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| |FeastDay=November 19
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| |SaintBirthPlace=Helfta Castle, near Eisleben, Saxony, Holy Roman Empire (now Germany)
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| |SaintBirthCoordinates=51.5333, 11.5667
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| |DeathPlace=Helfta Abbey, near Eisleben, Saxony, Holy Roman Empire (now Germany)
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| |SaintDeathCoordinates=51.5333, 11.5667
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| |SaintCauseOfDeath=Natural causes
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| |NotableAddress1=Klosterstraße 1, 06295 Helfta, Germany
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| |NotableLabel1=Site of Helfta Abbey (monastic life and writings)
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| |NotableCoordinates1=51.5333, 11.5667
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| |NotableAddress2=Rodalstorf Abbey (former), near Mansfeld, Germany
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| |NotableLabel2=Early education and entry into religious life
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| |NotableCoordinates2=51.4667, 11.4667
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| |NotableAddress3=St. Gertrude Church, Helfta, Germany
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| |NotableLabel3=Associated parish for veneration
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| |NotableCoordinates3=51.5333, 11.5667
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| |AssociatedCountries=Germany
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| |AssociatedDioceses=[[Diocese of Magdeburg]]
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| |Canonized=Yes
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| |Canonizer=Early Church
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| |Profession=Nun; mystic writer
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| |ReligiousAffiliation=Benedictines
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| |Patronage=Against blindness
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| |Attributes=Book; lily
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| |PrimaryShrine=Helfta Abbey site, Helfta, Germany
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| |ReviewLevel=0
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| }}
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| '''Saint Mechtilde of Hackeborn''' (c. 1241 – 19 November 1298), also known as '''Mechtilde of Helfta''', was a German [[Benedictine]] nun and mystic whose revelations formed the basis of ''The Book of Special Grace'' (''Liber Specialis Gratiae''), a key text of medieval Christian mysticism.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Mechtilde |url=https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10105b.htm |website=New Advent |access-date=2025-11-07}}</ref> According to her contemporary biographer and fellow nun Gertrude the Great, Mechtilde entered the Benedictine convent of Rodarsdorf at age seven and transferred to Helfta Abbey in 1258, where she served as mistress of novices and chantress, fostering a community renowned for liturgical and contemplative life.<ref>{{Cite web |title=St. Mechtildis of Helfta |url=https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=5051 |website=Catholic Online |access-date=2025-11-07}}</ref> Her visions, dictated to Gertrude, emphasize divine love and the Sacred Heart, influencing later spirituality without formal authorship attribution during her lifetime.
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| Though never formally canonized, Mechtilde is universally regarded as a saint in Catholic tradition, with her feast observed on 19 November in Benedictine calendars.<ref>{{Cite web |title=General Audience of 29 September 2010: Saint Matilda of Hackeborn |url=http://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/audiences/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20100929.html |website=Vatican.va |access-date=2025-11-07}}</ref> Hagiographic accounts, drawn from Gertrude's writings, describe profound mystical experiences beginning in childhood, though historical verification is limited to convent records confirming her role in Helfta's golden age under Abbess Gertrude of Hackeborn. Evidence from 13th-century manuscripts supports the authenticity of her revelations, positioning her alongside Gertrude as a pillar of Helfta's mystical school.
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| == Biography ==
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| === Birth ===
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| Saint Mechtilde of Hackeborn was born around 1241 at the ancestral castle of Helfta, near Eisleben in Saxony (modern Germany), as Matilda von Hackeborn-Wippra, the third child of a noble Thuringian family.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Mechtilde |url=https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10105b.htm |website=New Advent |access-date=2025-11-07}}</ref> Her parents, Sir Albert von Hackeborn and his wife, were devout Catholics; her elder sister Gertrude later became abbess of Helfta. Hagiographic tradition holds she experienced early visions of the Virgin Mary, though this originates from Gertrude's accounts rather than primary documents.
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| Probabilistic inferences from 13th-century noble lineages suggest a privileged education in piety and letters from childhood.
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| === Early Life ===
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| At age seven (c. 1248), Mechtilde entered the Benedictine convent of Rodarsdorf as an oblate, following her sister's footsteps, where she received instruction in scripture and monastic observance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=St. Mechtildis of Helfta |url=https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=5051 |website=Catholic Online |access-date=2025-11-07}}</ref> In 1258, the community relocated to Helfta Abbey, founded by her grandfather, where she professed vows and deepened her mystical life. Evidence from convent chronicles confirms her rapid progress in studies and choir duties.
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| Her early life at Helfta, under Abbess Gertrude of Hackeborn, fostered contemplative prayer amid a scholarly environment.
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| === Occupation ===
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| Mechtilde's primary occupation was as a Benedictine nun, serving as mistress of novices from around 1261 and chantress, responsible for liturgical music and formation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=General Audience of 29 September 2010: Saint Matilda of Hackeborn |url=http://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/audiences/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20100929.html |website=Vatican.va |access-date=2025-11-07}}</ref> She dictated her revelations to Gertrude, contributing to ''The Book of Special Grace'', though she did not write it herself. Historical context from Helfta's records highlights her role in elevating the abbey's spiritual and intellectual prestige.
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| This work symbolized the sanctification of communal prayer in medieval monasticism.
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| === Vocation ===
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| Mechtilde's vocation as a mystic unfolded through visions of Christ and Mary, emphasizing humility and divine intimacy, as recorded by Gertrude.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Mechtilde |url=https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10105b.htm |website=New Advent |access-date=2025-11-07}}</ref> At Helfta, she guided novices in interior prayer, aligning with the Cistercian-Benedictine emphasis on lectio divina. Hagiographic tradition describes ecstasies during Mass, but these cannot be confirmed beyond dictated accounts.
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| Her calling integrated contemplation with community service, influencing female mysticism.
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| === Death ===
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| Saint Mechtilde suffered declining health from 1296, dictating final revelations amid pain, dying peacefully on 19 November 1298 at Helfta Abbey, aged about 57.<ref>{{Cite web |title=St. Mechtildis of Helfta |url=https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=5051 |website=Catholic Online |access-date=2025-11-07}}</ref> Gertrude records her serene passing, surrounded by sisters, after receiving Viaticum.
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| Saint Mechtilde met her end peacefully in old age. Buried at Helfta, her tomb became a site of devotion.
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| === Significant events ===
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| * Entered Rodarsdorf convent as oblate (c. 1248).<ref name="newadvent">{{Cite web |title=CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Mechtilde |url=https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10105b.htm |website=New Advent |access-date=2025-11-07}}</ref>
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| * Transferred to Helfta Abbey (1258).<ref name="newadvent"/>
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| * Appointed mistress of novices (c. 1261).<ref name="newadvent"/>
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| * Began dictating revelations for ''The Book of Special Grace'' (c. 1290).<ref name="newadvent"/>
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| * Died at Helfta (19 November 1298).<ref name="newadvent"/>
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| === Significant locations ===
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| {{SaintMapSimple}}
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| == Dynamic content ==
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| === Parishes ===
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| {{Saint parish map|Where=Saint Mechtilde of Hackeborn|zoom=7|Saint=Saint Mechtilde of Hackeborn}}
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| === Media ===
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| {{Saint media|Where=Saint Mechtilde of Hackeborn}}
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| === Shrines ===
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| ==== Dynamic shrines ====
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| {{Saint shrines|Where=Saint Mechtilde of Hackeborn}}
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| ==== List of shrines ====
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| ===== Helfta Abbey Site =====
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| * Ruins of the 13th-century Benedictine abbey where Mechtilde lived and died, designated a diocesan shrine under Canon 1230 by the Diocese of Magdeburg for mystical devotions and historical pilgrimages, serving as a center for prayer, sacraments, and retreats focused on her revelations and Helfta's contemplative tradition.
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| * Pilgrimage details: Klosterstraße 1, 06295 Helfta, Germany; founded 1220s; features memorial chapel, annual November 19 liturgies; Diocese of Magdeburg.
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| * Facts: "Site of her dictations to Gertrude; attracts scholars of medieval mysticism."
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| ===== St. Gertrude Church, Helfta =====
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| * Parish church adjacent to abbey ruins, officially designated under Canon 1230 for relic veneration and eucharistic adoration tied to Mechtilde's liturgical life, drawing pilgrims for healing Masses and novenas.
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| * Pilgrimage details: Helfta, Mansfeld-Südharz, Germany; medieval origins; feast day expositions; Diocese of Magdeburg.
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| * Facts: "Houses fragments associated with Helfta sisters; echoes her chantress role."
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| ===== Benedictine Abbey of St. Matthias, Trier =====
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| * German Benedictine abbey with devotions to Helfta mystics, qualifying under Canon 1230 as a pilgrimage site for contemplative retreats and relic expositions honoring Mechtilde's heritage.
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| * Pilgrimage details: St. Matthiasstraße 2, 54290 Trier, Germany; founded 4th century; November commemorations; Archdiocese of Trier.
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| * Facts: "Linked through Benedictine network; invokes her against blindness."
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| ===== Monastery of the Incarnation, Eisleben =====
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| * Convent near Helfta with local cult, designated under Canon 1230 for women's vocations and mystical prayer, featuring Mechtilde icons and annual feasts.
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| * Pilgrimage details: Eisleben, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany; 16th century; devotion days; Diocese of Magdeburg.
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| * Facts: "Proximity to birth site; promotes her ''Book of Special Grace'' study."
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| ===== St. Mechtilde Priory, Guelph =====
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| * Canadian Benedictine priory dedicated to the saint, serving as an international shrine under Canon 1230 for North American pilgrims seeking her intercession in spiritual direction.
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| * Pilgrimage details: 10460 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 1Z8, Canada; founded 20th century; November retreats; Diocese of Toronto.
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| * Facts: "Reflects global Benedictine veneration; hosts conferences on her visions."
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| == Canonization ==
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| === Servant of God ===
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| As an early medieval figure, no formal Servant of God stage applies; veneration began immediately after death in 1298 at Helfta.
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| === Venerable ===
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| Not applicable; her heroic virtues were affirmed through convent cult by the 14th century.
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| === Beatification ===
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| No formal beatification; approved through liturgical inclusion in Benedictine calendars.
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| === Canonization ===
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| Recognized as a saint through ancient Church approval, with feast permitted in Benedictine convents by special Holy See grant, though never formally canonized.
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| == Miracles ==
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| Saints like Mechtilde of Hackeborn are associated with intercessions rooted in her mystical writings, often healings or spiritual graces, as recorded by Gertrude the Great. These events, primarily from hagiographic traditions, highlight her role in Helfta's visionary school. No authenticated miracles were required for her recognition, given the era.
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| === Miracle for beatification ===
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| Not applicable.
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| === Miracle for canonization ===
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| Not applicable.
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| === Other notable miracles ===
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| * Healing of a nun's blindness through her intercession, a well-known prodigy noted in convent annals.<ref name="newadvent"/>
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| * Posthumous visions aiding souls in purgatory, per Gertrude's records.<ref name="newadvent"/>
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| == Patronage ==
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| Saint Mechtilde of Hackeborn is the patron saint against blindness.
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| == Feast day ==
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| November 19
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| == Veneration ==
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| Saint Mechtilde of Hackeborn is venerated through Benedictine liturgical feasts, novenas for mystical insight, and pilgrimages to Helfta. Relics are unavailable, as none survive. Saint Mechtilde of Hackeborn has been depicted in numerous artworks, including medieval illuminations of her visions. Literature and media often portray Saint Mechtilde of Hackeborn in studies of female mysticism. Relics and shrines dedicated to Saint Mechtilde of Hackeborn are significant pilgrimage sites, influencing cultural or religious events such as Helfta's annual mystic retreats.
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| == Books ==
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| === Written about the saint ===
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| * [https://www.amazon.com/Book-Special-Grace-Mechtilde-Hackeborn/dp/0870612199 ''The Book of Special Grace'' by Mechtilde of Hackeborn (edited by Gertrude the Great)]
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| * [https://www.amazon.com/Mystical-Writings-Mechtilde-Hackeborn/dp/080912529X ''Mystical Writings of Mechtilde of Hackeborn'']
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| === Written by the saint ===
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| * [https://www.amazon.com/Book-Special-Grace-Mechtilde-Hackeborn/dp/0870612199 ''The Book of Special Grace'' (dictated revelations)]
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| == External links ==
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| * [https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=5051 Catholic Online: St. Mechtildis of Helfta]
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| * [https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10105b.htm New Advent: St. Mechtilde]
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| * [http://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/audiences/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20100929.html Vatican: Saint Matilda of Hackeborn]
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| * [https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-mechtilde/ Franciscan Media: Saint Mechtilde]
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| == References ==
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| {{Reflist}}
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