St. Lidwina

Do *your* bones fall off?

St. Lidwina lived in Holland in the 1300s. Her story truly began when she was 15 and broke her rib while ice skating. That was the beginning of a disease (now assumed to be multiple sclerosis) that made her deteriorate throughout the rest of her life. She died at 52.

Among the things that are said to have happened to her, parts of Lidwina’s body fell off because of her disease. Bones, part of her intestines, all kinds of things. Her mother would keep them in a jar but they caused such excitement with the locals that Lidwina had them buried. Does it get much more metal than that? Does it get much more emo than that??

Lidwina may also have been abused by a priest who was checking to see if her disabilities and holiness were real. Accounts differ, but it’s said that her body swelled, whether that be due to the disease or impregnation is unknown. The disabled are often taken advantage of, even now. This is the opposite of what Jesus calls us to do. We are to lift our brethren up, like the paralytic on the mat’s friends, and give our brothers and sisters over to Christ’s love and healing power. But because we are power hungry and dissatisfied with life, we look for the easiest targets to take advantage of. In many cases, that is the disabled. When you lose sight of the image dei, you lose sight of the person and of God. Be better.

Lidwina is, kind of obviously, the patroness of ice skaters, the chronically ill, and the town in which she lived.

St. Lidwina, pray for us!