St. Lydwine

St. Lydwine of Schiedam, patroness of the sick, was born on April 18, 1380, in Schiedam, Holland. She was one of nine children born to poor parents—her father, Peter, of noble lineage, and her mother, Petronella, a humble country woman. From an early age, Lydwine showed a deep devotion to God, especially to the Blessed Virgin Mary, often praying before the miraculous image of Our Lady of Schiedam.

At the age of fifteen, during the winter of 1395, Lydwine's life changed dramatically. While ice skating with friends, she was accidentally knocked down and fell violently, breaking a rib on her right side. This injury marked the beginning of a lifetime of intense suffering. Despite all medical efforts, she never recovered. An infection developed, eventually turning gangrenous and spreading throughout her body, leaving her bedridden for the rest of her life.

From that point forward, Lydwine endured nearly four decades of severe physical affliction. Her illnesses included chronic pain, fever, vomiting, thirst, blindness, muscle spasms, bedsores, and other debilitating conditions. She also bore the stigmata, sharing in Christ's wounds. Though some doubted her condition, even suspecting spiritual deception, she demonstrated remarkable spiritual discernment—once recognizing an unconsecrated host presented to her.

Amid her suffering, God granted Lydwine extraordinary mystical gifts. She experienced visions of heaven, hell, and purgatory, as well as apparitions of Christ. Many visitors, including notable spiritual figures such as Wermbold of Roskoop and Arnold of Schoonhoven, came to seek her counsel. Numerous miracles were reported at her bedside. Writers such as Joannes Brugmann and Thomas à Kempis later recorded her life, helping to spread devotion to her.

Lydwine accepted her suffering with heroic patience, offering it to God for the salvation of souls. In one vision, she saw a rosebush and was told that when it bloomed, her suffering would end. In the spring of 1433, she joyfully proclaimed that she saw the rosebush in full bloom.

On Easter morning in 1433, while in deep contemplation, she had a vision of Christ coming to administer the final sacrament. Shortly thereafter, on April 14, 1433, she died at the age of 52, in a reputation of great holiness.

Her grave quickly became a place of pilgrimage, and a chapel was built over it within a year of her death. Her relics were later moved to Brussels in 1615 and returned to Schiedam in 1871. Devotion to her continued to grow over the centuries, and on March 14, 1890, Pope Leo XIII officially recognized her sanctity.

St. Lydwine's feast day is celebrated on April 14. She remains a powerful witness to the redemptive value of suffering united with Christ.