(1242-1312)
Her life
+ Christina (who is sometimes known as Christina Bruso) was born in Stommeln (part of modern-day Germany). Although she learned to read as a child, she could not write. A vision of Jesus she received as a child, inspired her to dedicate herself as a “bride of Christ” and at the age of twelve she ran away from her family home to become a Beguine nun.
+ Christina’s piety and eccentricities often troubled the other nuns and she eventually returned home and came under the direction of the local pastor, a priest named Johannes. She suffered terribly from what she perceived to be demonic attacks.
+ In 1268, Christina received the stigmata and the wounds reappeared throughout her life each Easter Sunday.
+ Christina experienced the last of these mystical gifts in 1288 and she lived out her days in a Beguine convent. The events of her life were later recorded by a Swedish Dominican friar, Peter of Dacia, who was a long-time friend and supporter of Christina.
+ Blessed Christina died on November 6, 1312, and devotion to her was officially approved by Pope Saint Pius X in 1908. In 1944, the church containing her relics was bombed by Allied Forces fighting the Nazis; her relics survived the destruction.
For prayer and reflection
“I am a person who believes in Christ. I want to live so that all things in me are strengthened by Christ.”—Blessed Christina of Stommeln (taken from an early account of her life)
Spiritual bonus
On this day we also remember Blessed Thomas Ochia Jihyoe. Born to a Christian family in Omura, Japan, he entered the Augustinian Order in the Philippines. After his ordination, he returned to Japan to minister to Christians during a time of persecution. Although he was hunted by the civil authorities, he used disguises and a false name so that he could continue his ministry. He was eventually caught, arrested, and tortured before dying as a martyr in Nagasaki on November 6, 1637. He was beatified with other martyrs in 2008.
Prayer
Hear us, God our Savior, that, as we rejoice in commemorating the Virgin blessed Christina, we may be instructed by her loving devotion. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(from The Roman Missal: Common of Virgins)
Saint profiles prepared by Fr. Silas Henderson, S.D.S
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