Saints
St. Lidwina of Schiedam
St. Lidwina of Schiedam Biography
St. Lidwina of Schiedam was a Dutch saint who was born in 1380 in Schiedam, a city in the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. She was the daughter of a wealthy merchant and lived a comfortable life until the age of 15, when she fell and injured herself while ice skating. The injury left her bedridden and in constant pain for the rest of her life.
Despite her suffering, Lidwina became known for her devotion to God and her compassionate care for the sick and poor. She often spent hours in prayer and meditation, and was known to experience visions and mystical experiences.
Lidwina’s reputation for holiness attracted many visitors, and she became known as a healer and a source of spiritual guidance. After her death in 1433, she was canonized by the Catholic Church and is now remembered as the patron saint of ice skaters, victims of abuse, and those suffering from chronic illness.
Lidwina’s life serves as an inspiration to many people today who struggle with physical or emotional suffering. St. Lidwina of Schiedam is remembered for her unwavering faith and her compassionate care for others, even in the face of great hardship.
Popular St. Lidwina of Schiedam Medal
Detailed Biography of St. Lidiwina of Schiedam: A Mystic and a Healer
St. Lidiwina of Schiedam is a remarkable saint who lived in the 15th century in the Netherlands. She is honored as a mystic, a healer, and a patron of the chronically ill and ice skaters. She is also thought to be one of the first documented cases of multiple sclerosis. In this blog post, we will explore her life story, her spiritual experiences, and her legacy.
Early Life and Accident
Lidiwina was born in 1380 in Schiedam, a town near Rotterdam. She was one of nine children of a poor laborer and a pious mother. She was a devout and cheerful girl who loved to pray and help the poor. She had a desire to enter a convent, but her parents could not afford the dowry.
When she was 15 years old, she went ice skating with her friends on a frozen canal. She fell and broke a rib, which caused her great pain and fever. She never recovered from this injury and became progressively disabled for the rest of her life. She could not walk, and eventually she lost the use of all her limbs except her left hand. She also suffered from various ailments, such as ulcers, headaches, blindness, and paralysis. She was bedridden for almost 40 years.
Mystical Experiences and Miracles
Despite her physical sufferings, Lidiwina experienced many mystical graces. She had visions of heaven, hell, purgatory, and the lives of Christ, Mary, and the saints. She also received the stigmata, the wounds of Christ on her hands, feet, side, and head. She had a special devotion to the Eucharist, which was her only food for many years. She also had a gift of healing, both physical and spiritual. Many people came to visit her and ask for her prayers and advice.
Lidiwina endured her trials with patience and joy. She offered her pains for the conversion of sinners and the souls in purgatory. She also prayed for the unity of the Church, which was divided by the Great Schism at that time. She had a deep love for God and his will. She said: “I have no other desire than to love him and to do what pleases him.”
Death and Canonization
Lidiwina died on April 14, 1433, at the age of 53. Her last words were: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.” Her body was buried in the parish church of Schiedam, where it became a place of pilgrimage and miracles. Many people reported being cured or comforted by her intercession.
Lidiwina was beatified in 1890 by Pope Leo XIII and canonized in 1940 by Pope Pius XII. Her feast day is April 14. She is the patron saint of Schiedam, chronic pain, ice skaters, and multiple sclerosis patients.
St. Lidiwina of Schiedam is an inspiring example of holiness in the midst of suffering. She shows us how to trust in God’s providence and love, even when we face difficulties and challenges. She also teaches us how to use our gifts for the glory of God and the good of others. She invites us to join her in prayer and intercession for the needs of the Church and the world.
If you want to learn more about St. Lidiwina of Schiedam, you can read her biographies by John Brugman or Thomas à Kempis. You can also pray this novena or this prayer to ask for her help.
May St. Lidiwina of Schiedam pray for us and inspire us to follow Christ with love and joy!
Prayers to St. Lidwina of Schiedam
Prayer of Intercession to St. Lidwina of Schiedam
Dear St. Lidwina, you knew firsthand the pains and sufferings of a long-term illness. I ask for your intercession and guidance as I struggle with my own chronic conditions. Help me to find peace in my suffering and to trust in God’s plan for my life. Grant me the strength and courage to face each day with hope and faith.
Prayer to St. Lidwina of Schiedam
St. Lidwina,
You were known for your compassionate care for the sick and the poor. I ask for your intercession as I strive to follow in your footsteps and serve others with love and kindness. Help me to see the needs of those around me and to respond with generosity and compassion. May I be a source of hope and comfort to those in need, just as you were.Amen.
Why is St. Lidwina of Schiedam the patron saint of ice skaters?
St. Lidwina of Schiedam is considered the patron saint of ice skaters because she is believed to have been injured while ice skating at the age of 15, which left her bedridden and in constant pain for the rest of her life. Despite her suffering, Lidwina remained deeply devoted to God and became known for her compassionate care for the sick and the poor.
After her death in 1433, Lidwina was canonized by the Catholic Church and is now remembered as a saint. In addition to being the patron saint of ice skaters, she is also recognized as the patron saint of victims of abuse and those suffering from chronic illness. Her life serves as an inspiration to many people who struggle with physical or emotional suffering, and she is remembered for her unwavering faith and her compassionate care for others.
Children’s Story about the life of St. Lidwina of Schiedam
In a small town called Schiedam in the Netherlands, there lived a young girl named Lidwina. She was the daughter of a wealthy merchant and lived a comfortable life.
One winter day, when Lidwina was 15 years old, she went ice skating with her friends. As she glided across the frozen pond, she lost her balance and fell. Unfortunately, Lidwina was severely injured in the fall and was left bedridden and in constant pain for the rest of her life.
Despite her suffering, Lidwina remained strong in her faith and was known for her kind and compassionate heart. She often spent hours in prayer and meditation, and was known to experience visions and mystical experiences.
Lidwina became a source of inspiration and guidance to many people who visited her, and she was known for her ability to heal the sick and comfort the troubled. She was deeply loved and respected by all who knew her.
After Lidwina passed away, the Catholic Church recognized her as a saint and named her the patron saint of ice skaters, victims of abuse, and those suffering from chronic illness. Today, people all over the world remember St. Lidwina for her unwavering faith and her compassionate care for others, even in the face of great hardship.
Reflection on the Feast of St. Lidwina of Schiedam
Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Lidwina of Schiedam on April 14th. St. Lidwina of Schiedam is an inspiring figure for anyone who has faced challenges in life. Despite suffering from a severe injury that left her bedridden and in constant pain, Lidwina remained devoted to God and dedicated to serving others.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Lidwina’s life was her ability to find joy and meaning in her suffering. She did not let her physical limitations define her, but rather used her experiences to draw closer to God and to reach out to others in need.
Lidwina’s story reminds us that suffering does not have to be meaningless or without purpose. Even in the midst of hardship, we can choose to trust in God’s plan and to find ways to serve and love others. In doing so, we can find hope and meaning in our struggles and bring light to the world around us.
As we reflect on the life of St. Lidwina, let us pray for the grace to follow her example and to find hope and purpose in our own challenges and sufferings.
Saints Similar to St. Lidwina of Schiedam
You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. Lucy. St. Lidwina of Schiedam and St. Lucy were both known for their suffering and resilience in the face of physical ailments. Next up: Biography of St. Lillian
Also check out our handmade St. Lidwina of Schiedam Medal and St. Lidwina of Schiedam Rosary and St. Lidwina of Schiedam Rosary Bracelet .