Lidwina

Lidwina of Schiedam, also Liduina or Liduvina, (* March 18, 1380 in Schiedam, near Rotterdam, † April 14, 1433 ibid ), called " the silent sufferer ", is a Dutch saint of the Roman Catholic Church.

Life

Lidwina grew up in a poor family with eight siblings. Her father had a meager income as a night watchman. When she rushed than fifteen year old girl on the ice, she broke a rib. Complications occurred gangrene. This had Lidwina most of her life bedridden.

According to tradition Lidwina was very religious and prayed a lot, especially to the Virgin Mary, to which she had a great love and admiration, and bore her great suffering with dignity and even joy. She got tumors and bleeding wounds, including on the hands and feet of the stigmata (wounds in the shape of the cross wounds of Christ). When blood flowed from Lidwinas wounds and she had other patients to visit, these were often miraculously cured by the touch of Lidwinas blood. Also knew Lidwina many visitors with words or simply by the sight of her to comfort and cheer, which also appeared miraculous cures.

Lidwina often had visions. Always remained their zest for life and her faith receive, how painful their torment was as well. More and more people visited Lidwina, which was already his life as a saint. With thirty-eight years she died, according to tradition, without ever having said a word unseemly.

From today's perspective, it can be assumed due to the kicking up symptoms that Lidwina of Schiedam had multiple sclerosis, and thus is the first person, in which the disease has been described.

Worship

Life Lidwinas was recorded by several authors. The best known of these hagiographies was the work of Johannes Brugman, which appeared in three versions 1433-1456.

Soon after Lidwinas death a chapel in the Janskerk was built over her grave. During the Eighty Years' War (1568-1648) were their relics removed by the Protestant authorities from Holland. Some of her relics were brought back to the late 19th century, was equally as the Catholic faith in the Netherlands again to Schiedam. They were initially buried in the 1859 built Frankelandsekerk at Nieuwe Haven.

On March 14, 1890 Lidwina was of Pope Leo XIII. canonized. Your grave church was officially dedicated their 1931. When this church demolished in 1968, were transferred to the Schiedam Singelkerk that since St. Dedicated Lidwina. The church was raised in 1990 by Pope John Paul II to the Minor Basilica and since then bears the name Basiliek van de H. Liduina s Onze Lieve - Vrouw - van de Rozenkrans.

Lidwina is as patroness of the sick and suffering your feast day is called, depending on the regional calendar, March 18, April 14 or June 14.