In 1396 Lydwine (also Ludwina and Lidwina), a beautiful 16 year old girl, from Schiedam in Holland was visited by friends, who invited her to go skating. Legend says that Lydwine's friends insisted that she go skating even though she said she wasn't feeling well. Once they were on the ice Lydwine was knocked down. She broke 6 ribs and was bedridden for the rest of her life. After the accident Lydwine had visions and was given credit for performing many miracles. Lydwine was canonized in 1890 and was named the Patron Saint of Skating in 1944. This image of the fateful fall was made in 1498 by the Dutch artist, Johannes Brugman. This image provided courtesy of the SchaatsMuseum (Netherlands).

http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintl12.htm     LYDWINA of Schiedam

Also known as

Lidwina of Shiedam; Lydwid; Lidwid

Memorial

14 April

Profile

Her father was a poor noble, and her mother a poor commoner. Lydwina early evinced a devotion of Our Lady of Schiedam. Injured in an ice-skating accident at age 16, the broken rib caused gangrene to set in, she became paralyzed and suffered for decades. She prayed, meditated, and offered her pain to God.

Developed a devotion to the Eucharist. Given to ecstatic visions in which she was shown Heaven and Purgatory, participated in Christ's Passion, and was visited by saints. Legend says that she had the gift of inedia, and that her only food for her last 19 years was the Eucharist. Miracles occurred at her bed side. Sometimes accused of being possessed, and tested by priests. Blind her last seven years. Her final vision was of Christ administering last rites to her. Biography written by Saint Thomas a Kempis.

Born

18 April 1380 at Schiedam, Holland

Died

14 April (Easter) 1433

Canonized

14 March 1890 by Pope Leo XIII (cultus confirmed)

Patronage

bodily ills, ice skating, prolonged suffering, roller skating sick people, sickness, skaters, skating

Additional Information

Google Directory links to sites devoted to or with information about Saint Lydwina

Representation

cripple holding a crucifix; cripple receiving a branch of roses from an angel; cripple receiving a lily from the angel; cripple with a cross and rosary; girl falling on ice while skating; girl working on embroidery

http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintl12.htm

http://www.rollerskatersgazette.com/saint.htm         Skater's Angel

below: wood carving of St. Ludwinia's accident - carved in 1480

   Present day Scheidam, Holland is located on the Nieuwe Maas River, near Rotterdam. This city has always been the center of the world’s gin industry. Gigantic windmills add character to the scenic view. These mills are quite high in order to catch sufficient wind.  Originally 19 mills were built but only 5 remain today.  The mills ‘De Noord’ and ‘De Vrijheid’ are the highest two windmills in the world, measuring over 33 meters. Windmill Nieuwe Palmboom’ is open to the public and is a stilling mill. It also houses the National Flour Mill Museum.   This city is home to a 14^th century church, the 16^th century town hall and the ruins of a 13^th century castle. There are also shipyards and factories that manufacture chemicals, glass, and lumber.  Scheidam, Holland was also home to the Patron Saint of Skaters during the late 1300s.  

     In 1380, a daughter was born into a poor family in Scheidam, Holland. She was one of nine children.  Her father, Peter by name, came from a noble family and her mother Petronella, born at Kethel, Holland, was a poor country girl.  Peter and Petronella named their daughter Lidwina.  Ironically, Lidwina means “suffering.” 

     Very early in her life Lidwina was drawn towards the Mother of God and prayed a great deal before the image of Our Lady of Scheidam.  She was very devoted. At the young age of fifteen, Lidwina dedicated herself completely to God.   Some people say she would have become a nun had it not been for an accident that occurred to her.   

   During the winter of 1395, Lidwina was invited by some girl friends to go skating on the frozen canals. Her friends had to talk Lidwina into going along, as she did not feel well that day.  After some peer pressure was applied, Lidwina relented.  What happened on the frozen canal that day is not clear.  Some say Lidwina was pushed, others say she tripped and fell, yet others say the ice was too thin.  We do know that an accident occurred, causing Lidwina to fall through or onto the ice with such violence that she broke a rib on the right side of her body.  This would be the beginning of a martyrdom that would last 38 years.

     There was no one in the town that knew how to care for her injuries. In the days ahead, she had severe headaches, nausea, fever, pain throughout her whole body and thirst. Her parents watched helplessly as gangrene set in and spread throughout her body.   The pain from the infection was severe and lasted for years.  Lidwina told her father she could not stand the pain, and this only seemed to make her pain increase.  Sores developed on her face and body, she became blind in one eye, and then bed ridden.

     The fall triggered other problems as well. As time passed, the townspeople believed Lidwina was under the influence of the devil.  They could not attribute her agony to anything physical because the infection was internal. Bed-ridden, Lidwina could not go to church.  A local pastor named Andries tried to trick her to prove that she was under the influence of the devil. Andries gave Lidwina an unconsecrated Eucharistic Host, but she distinguished it at once and refused to take it.

     Her parish priest, Father John, came regularly to visit and pray with her. Father John was instrumental in helping Lidwina to realize that her illness was a beautiful gift that she would give to Jesus.   She would offer her sufferings to console Him, who had suffered so much on the cross. As time went on she developed a devotion to the Eucharist, was given to ecstatic visions in which she was shown Heaven and Purgatory, participated in Christ's Passion, and was visited by saints. The celebrated preacher and seer, Wermbold of Roskoop, visited her after previously beholding her in spirit. The pious Arnold of Schoonhoven treated her as a friend. Hendrik Mande wrote for her consolation a pious tract in Dutch. When Joannes Busch brought this to her, he asked her what she thought of Hendrik Mande's visions, and she answered that they came from God.

     There were several miracles recorded by those that visited her in her bedroom during her suffering. Numerous miracles took place at her bedside. In one of the visions that she did share, she said she saw a rosebush and an inscription that read: "When this shall be in bloom, your suffering will be at an end."  This would be a very important sign for Lidwina in her later years. 

          Lidwina often had visitors to her parent’s house in Scheidam where she lived her life. Known for her kindness, Lidwina was good to everyone who came to her poor little room.  She slept on hay and gave all her possessions to the poor. She interceded in prayer for everyone that asked.  

     For thirty-eight years, Lidwina suffered. It seemed impossible that she could remain alive in such serious condition. Legend says that she had the gift of inedia, and that her only food for her last 19 years was the Eucharist. (Inedia is the abstinence from all nourishment for great lengths of time.)  On Easter morning of the year 1433, Lidwina said  "I see the rose-bush in full bloom.” Her final vision was of Christ administering last rites to her. She died on the 14th of April, which is now her feast day.

     Her grave became a place of pilgrimage.  In 1434 a chapel was built over it. Joannes Brugmann and Thomas à Kempis related the history of her life. Veneration of Lidwina on the part of the people increased unceasingly. In 1615 her relics were brought to Brussels, but in 1871 they were returned to the city of Scheidam.

     On March 14, 1890, Pope Leo XIII put the official sanction of the Church upon that veneration which had existed for centuries. Lidwina is now known as the Patron  Saint of roller/ice skaters, illnesses, and suffering.   She is the “Skate Angel” that many skaters wear around their neck. 

     Religious medals including  Lidwina can be purchased at the following websites. 

http://www.religiousjewelrystore.com/st_lidwina.html

http://www.catholicshopper.com/products/CR_SS_729-53

http://www.rollerskatersgazette.com/saint.htm