St. Aleydis of Schaerbeek

  Posted on June 12, 2022  by admin  No comments

Born: 12th century at Schaerbeck, Belgium 

Died: sunrise Saturday 11 June 1250 of natural causes 

Canonized: on 1 July 1702 Pope Clement XI granted the monks of the Fuliensi Congregation of Saint Bernard permission to celebrate her feast, cultus extended to the entire Cistercian Order in 1870, cultus extended to all of Belgium in 1907 by Pope Pius X (cultus confirmed) 

Patronage: Blind people, paralyzed people 

At age seven Aleydis was sent to the Cistercian convent of Camera Sanctae Mariae to receive an education; she stayed the rest of her life. In adolescence she developed leprosy and was isolated from the community; the spirit with which she bore her illness served as an example to the rest of the community. 

While in isolation, Aleydis developed a deep devotion to Real Presence in the Eucharist, but was unable to drink from the cup due to the danger of contagion. As the disease progressed, she became blind and paralyzed. Visionary; given to ecstasies, and a visit from Christ to assure her of the complete Communion of the Eucharist. Was given the gift of healing of others, but not herself.