Dorothy of Montau

About Dorothy of Montau

Dorothy of Montau was a Prussian mystic, wife, mother, and anchoress whose life is exceptionally well-documented. Married at age 16 to Albrecht, an older swordsmith, Dorothy had nine children (only one daughter survived to adulthood). She endured a very difficult marriage to an abusive, irreligious husband while practicing intense piety—attending daily Mass when possible, making pilgrimages, and experiencing mystical visions and ecstasies. Dorothy experienced visions of Christ's Passion, Mary, and saints, and displayed stigmata. Despite her husband's opposition and abuse, she persevered in holiness. After her husband's death in 1390, Dorothy made a pilgrimage to Rome and Aachen, then became an anchoress—walled into a cell attached to Marienwerder Cathedral. For her last 14 months, she lived in prayer and penance, receiving Communion daily and experiencing continuing visions. Dorothy is the first woman whose life was formally documented through canonical inquiry for beatification, providing extraordinary detail about medieval women's spirituality. She represents the holy laywoman enduring difficult circumstances while pursuing mystical union with God.