Saint Lidwina 1388-1433
Feast
Day: 14th June
Patronage: ice-skaters and the chronically sick.
Lidwina was born in Schiedam in Holland. While playing on ice at the age of 15 she broke a rib. From that time onwards, she had difficult walking, headaches and violent pains in her teeth. By the time she was 19 both legs were paralysed and her vision was disturbed. Over the next 34 years, Lidwina's condition continued to deteriorate, although with apparent periods of remission, until her death at the age of 53. Despite her pain and disability she had a great gift for prayer and contemplation and the ability to heal others. Because of these gifts some thought her under the influence of malign spirits. But she was greatly revered by many holy men, and several accounts of her life were written, including Vita Lidewigis by Thomas à Kempis. On the morning of Easter Day 1433, she was in deep contemplation and saw a vision of Christ coming towards her to administer the sacrament of Extreme Unction. Two days later, on 14 April, she died. Lidwina's grave quickly became a place of pilgrimage after her death and in 1434, a chapel was built over it. In 1615 her relics were taken to Brussels, and returned to Schiedam in 1871. On 14 March 1890, Leo XIII officially canonised Lidwina.
Lidwina was born in Schiedam in Holland. While playing on ice at the age of 15 she broke a rib. From that time onwards, she had difficult walking, headaches and violent pains in her teeth. By the time she was 19 both legs were paralysed and her vision was disturbed. Over the next 34 years, Lidwina's condition continued to deteriorate, although with apparent periods of remission, until her death at the age of 53. Despite her pain and disability she had a great gift for prayer and contemplation and the ability to heal others. Because of these gifts some thought her under the influence of malign spirits. But she was greatly revered by many holy men, and several accounts of her life were written, including Vita Lidewigis by Thomas à Kempis. On the morning of Easter Day 1433, she was in deep contemplation and saw a vision of Christ coming towards her to administer the sacrament of Extreme Unction. Two days later, on 14 April, she died. Lidwina's grave quickly became a place of pilgrimage after her death and in 1434, a chapel was built over it. In 1615 her relics were taken to Brussels, and returned to Schiedam in 1871. On 14 March 1890, Leo XIII officially canonised Lidwina.