Hunna of Alsace

Saint Hunna of Alsace (Huna, Huva), who died in 679, is the patroness of laundresses. She was born in Alsace, the daughter of a duke, and lived in plenty; she married the nobleman Huno of Hunnaweyer, with whom she had a son. Her family was influenced by the former bishop and hermit Saint Deodatus of Nevers, who urged her to serve her poor neighbours.

Besides caring for family, home and estate while her husband was away on political business, she spent her time in prayer and visited her neighbours daily: she nursed the sick, taught them the faith, cooked, cleaned, bathed them and looked after their children, and washed and replaced their clothes. For this she was called the Holy Washerwoman. Her son, who bore the name of Deodatus and had been baptized by him, became a monk at the monastery he founded at Ebersheim and also became a saint. Hunna was canonized by Pope Leo X in 1520. She is a saint of the undivided Church, commemorated on 15 April (new style; 28 April in the old style).