Santa Liduvina had a totally unusual life. She had to live with a serious illness that suffered her for decades, which left her on the floor and her physical abilities gradually deteriorated. But thanks to her patience, her constant prayer, and above all her generous heart, the love of the Lord, countless graces were bestowed by the Lord through her. The Catholic Church regards her as the patroness of the chronically ill.
Liduvina had lived in bed since she was 15 years old, and she knew how to make her suffer as a sacrifice of love to God for the salvation of men, especially those who live in perpetual sin. In it he discovered a way to bear fruit, undoubtedly a very difficult one, to join the suffering and death of Christ.
This saint was born in Schiedam (Holland) on April 18, 1380 in a modest family. He had an accident at a very young age in which his spine was severely damaged, causing several conditions that became chronic and worsened over time.
Although he was sad and wondered why God allowed his suffering, one day he met a good priest, the new pastor of his town, Father Pott, who reminded him that God always “loves the children more, making them the most suffering”. The priest also gave him a crucifix, asked him to always remember the cross and compare himself to Christ, for “it must be so that suffering leads to holiness.”
After a time of fear and pain, Liduvina began to meditate on the Lord’s Holy Passion, asking him to give her courage and love to suffer like Him, for the conversion of sinners and the salvation of souls.
She reached 38 years of age and was in terrible pain from head to toe – a sore also destroyed the skin on her back – but she had overcome a serene joy knowing that she was loved by the good Jesus. In his last years he was fed only with Holy Communion on a daily basis, as explained by a document from 1421 signed by the civil authorities of Schiedam twelve years before his death.
God gave Liduvina the gifts to sometimes foretell the future and heal the sick through prayer. In addition, he had ecstasy and heavenly visions.
On April 14, 1433, Easter Day, the saint was in deep contemplation and through a vision she saw Christ administering the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. He died a few minutes later, but first asked if his house would be converted into a hospital for the poor.
Shortly after his death, his tomb became a place of pilgrimage and a chapel was built over it the following year.
The Franciscan priest Joannes Brugmann and the Augustinian Canon Thomas de Kempis told his life story and spread his devotion.
In 1615 his relics were transported to Brussels, but in 1871 they were returned to Schiedam. On March 14, 1890, Pope Leo XIII approved her veneration. His feast is celebrated on April 14.
To know more about this saint, go to following link.