St. Emma
Emma of Lesum, First Lady of Bremen, Benefactor of the Poor
📖 Life of St. Emma
Saint Emma, also known as Emma of Lesum, or Emma of Stiepel, lived in the city that is Bremen today. She is the first female inhabitant of the city to be known by name.
Emma lived in the early 11th century, and was born into the Immedinger family. The Immedingers were Saxon nobility descended from the legendary King Widuking, who fought against Charlemagne. Emma's father was a count, and her brother a bishop (Meinwerk of Paderborn). She married Liudger, the son of a Saxon duke. Their marriage resulted in one child, a boy named Imad. He would become bishop of Paderborn in 1051.
Little specific information about St. Emma survives. Legend states that she had a violent temper when she was young. Emma's husband made a visit to Russia in 1011, fell ill and died. Following this tragedy, Emma withdrew into her faith. Her temperament became mild. She was a great benefactor of churches, establishing many small parishes. She donated to the Bremen Cathedral. Her concern for the poor was legendary.
After her death, she was buried in a tomb in Bremen Cathedral. Her tomb was opened and her body had turned to dust except for her right hand, which she used to give gifts. Her intact hand was sent to the abbey of St. Ludger at Werden.
She was venerated as a saint following her death, but there are no official dates for her beatification or canonization. She has two known feast days, December 3, which is the recorded date of her death in 1038, and April 19.
🌟 Legacy of St. Emma: First Lady of Bremen
Transformation of Character
St. Emma's legacy is marked by a remarkable transformation from a person with a violent temper to a gentle and charitable benefactor. Her conversion following the death of her husband demonstrates the power of faith to transform one's character and redirect one's life toward service to others.
Benefactor of the Church
Emma's generosity toward the Church was extraordinary. She established many small parishes and made significant donations to the Bremen Cathedral, helping to build up the Church in her region. Her patronage of religious institutions helped ensure the spread of Christianity in northern Germany.
Champion of the Poor
Her legendary concern for the poor set an example for other nobles of her time. In an era when the gap between rich and poor was vast, Emma used her wealth and position to help those in need, showing that true nobility lies in service to others rather than in birth or wealth.
Miraculous Hand
The preservation of her right hand, which she used for giving gifts, serves as a powerful symbol of her charitable works. This miracle underscores the importance of her acts of charity and suggests that her giving hand was preserved as a testament to her generosity and as a relic for veneration.
📅 Feast Day
Feast of St. Emma of Lesum, Benefactor of the Poor
Liturgical Celebration
The feast of St. Emma is celebrated on December 3rd, which is the recorded date of her death in 1038. This date commemorates her life of charity and her dedication to serving the poor and the Church. She also has a secondary feast day on April 19th.
Historical Significance
As the first female inhabitant of Bremen known by name, St. Emma holds a special place in the history of the city. Her feast day is particularly significant in the Bremen region, where she is remembered for her contributions to the local Church and her care for the poor.
Prayer and Devotion
The feast day is an excellent time to pray for the poor and to ask for St. Emma's intercession in developing a more generous and charitable heart. It's also a time to reflect on how we can use our resources to help others and support the Church.
🛡️ Patronage
Primary Patronages
- • Bremen: Patroness of the city of Bremen
- • The Poor: Intercessor for those in need
- • Widows: Patron of widows and those who have lost spouses
- • Noble Women: Model for women of noble birth
- • Church Benefactors: Patron of those who support the Church
- • Charitable Giving: Model of generosity and charity
Special Intentions
- • Character Transformation: Those seeking to change their temperament
- • Grief and Loss: Those dealing with the death of a spouse
- • Generosity: Developing a more giving heart
- • Church Support: Those who wish to support religious institutions
- • Noble Service: Using one's position to help others
- • German Heritage: Those of Saxon or German descent
🙏 Prayers
Prayer to St. Emma
"O God, who called Saint Emma to transform her life through faith and to become a great benefactor of the poor, grant us the grace to follow her example of charity and generosity.
Help us to use our resources, whether great or small, to serve others and support the Church. May we, like St. Emma, find our true nobility in service to the poor and in devotion to you.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
Prayer for the Poor
"St. Emma, whose concern for the poor was legendary, intercede for all those who are in need today. Help us to see Christ in the poor and to respond with the same generosity that you showed.
May we be inspired by your example to use our resources to help others and to build up the Church through our charitable giving. Amen."
Prayer for Character Transformation
"St. Emma, who transformed from a person with a violent temper to a gentle benefactor, pray for us who struggle with our own character flaws.
Help us to allow faith to transform our hearts and to redirect our lives toward service to others. May we find peace and purpose in serving God and neighbor. Amen."
Related Saints
St. Elizabeth of Hungary
Queen and patron of the poor, known for her extraordinary charity and care for the sick.
St. Margaret of Scotland
Queen of Scotland known for her piety and care for the poor and orphans.
St. Anne
Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus, patron of mothers.