Blessed Jutta of Thuringia. In truth, virtue and piety were
always of prime importance to Jutta and her husband, both of
noble rank. The two were set to make a pilgrimage together to
the holy places in Jerusalem, but her husband died on the way.
The newly widowed Jutta, after taking care to provide for her
children, resolved to live in a manner utterly pleasing to God.
She disposed of the costly clothes, jewels and furniture
befitting one of her rank, and became a Secular Franciscan,
taking on the simple garment of a religious. From that point her
life was utterly devoted to others: caring for the sick,
particularly lepers; tending to the poor, whom she visited in
their hovels; helping the crippled and blind with whom she
shared her own home. Many of the townspeople of Thuringia
laughed at how the once-distinguished lady now spent all her
time. But Jutta saw the face of God in the poor and felt honored
to render whatever services she could. About the year 1260, not
long before her death, Jutta lived near the