Bl Lidwina

Lidwina loved Jesus and Mary very much as a child. When she was only 15 years old, she fell and broke her rib while she was skating. The accident changed the rest of her life. Her body did not heal well and, instead of getting better, she became more sick. She became blind in one eye and could not move her body to get out of bed. She suffered terribly from pain and wondered why God let these things happen to her. With the help of her parish priest, she came to see she could use her suffering to grow closer to Jesus. Her suffering became a beautiful gift that she received with joy. During her life, many people would visit her at her bedside to bring their sufferings, which Lidwina would joyfully offer up to God. Lidwina lived for many years only eating the Holy Eucharist and nothing else. She had visions of Heaven and Purgatory and was visited by Saints. She died in 1433; she was 53 years old.