Walking with the Saints Podcast | Feast of St. Christina, the Astonishing, Patron Saint of those Suffering Mental illness | July 24
Our saint for today is St. Christina, the Astonishing. Just why she is called “astonishing” is what we shall discover in today’s episode of “WALKING WITH THE SAINTS.” St. Christina’s life story is credible
as they were confirmed by Bishops, Cardinals and some saints. Born in a small town in Belgium in 1159, Christina was orphaned early in life and when she was a teenager, she worked as a shepherdess. One morning, when she was in her early 20’s, she had a massive seizure and remained lying on the ground. Those around her pronounced her dead.
Soon, they brought her to the local parish for her funeral. In the middle of the funeral service, she suddenly woke up, stood straight erect as if nothing had happened. Then she started levitating up to the ceiling. When she stopped levitating, she explained that she had really died. When her soul separated from her body, she was privileged
to see a glimpse of the sufferings of Purgatory. God gave her a choice: either to go to heaven or return to earth to make reparation for the sins of those souls who are suffering. Moved with pity for them, she chose the latter. Taking seriously her desire to make penance for the suffering souls, she voluntarily lived in poverty, left her home and as a mendicant lived on the streets, wearing ragged clothes. She avoided any human contact and sought more penances and deprivation. Some thought she was mentally ill. People would see her throw herself intentionally into fires. While those around could hear her shrieks, when she got out from the fire, she would be completely unscathed. She intentionally run through thickets and thorn bushes, and her cry due to pain could be heard, but when she came out of those thorns, she had no bruises at all. During winter time, she would remain in the freezing water for hours even for an entire day. She would always look for occasions to
harm herself but after that event, she always looked seemingly unharmed. Another thing which was so astonishing about her was her levitation. She said that her levitation were occasioned by the presence of sinful people whose spiritual stink she could not bear.
Among those who witnessed her behavior were the Cardinal-historianl Jaques de Virty, and Thomas of Cantimpre, writer and theologian and student of St. Albert the Great. Lastly, here is what St. Robert Bellarmine, a Cardinal and Doctor of the Church said about her: “We have reason
for believing our witness. Everyone could see that she was in the midst of flames not being consumed, had wounds which disappeared a few moments afterwards. But more than this was her marvelous life, forty years after she was raised from the dead, with God clearly showing the wonders wrought by her virtues.” Someone may ask why God allows a person to do these extreme things? That is for God’s own purposes so that people may believe in the existence of Purgatory.
The many conversions she effected and the miracles she performed proved the finger of God, and the truth about the other life. The incredulous are inexcusable, those who believe but do not do penance are still more to be condemned.”
Virtue: piety, humility integrity, charity, bravery, perseverance, poverty, consistency
“St. Christina, help us to follow the Commandments so as to avoid Purgatory.”
Reflection: Do I believe in Purgatory and do I pray for the suffering souls?
