St. Christina the Astonishing

Fr. Scott A. Haynes

-Feast Day, July 24-

Christina, who spent her adolescent years as a shepherdess after being orphaned, was born in 1150 in a little hamlet in what is now Belgium. Then, when still in her early twenties, she had a severe seizure. She lay still on the ground as the episode ended. They declared her dead since they could not see her breathing or hear her heartbeat.

The funeral took place at her local church not long after. She awoke abruptly during the funeral service and sprang to her feet as if nothing had transpired. Levitating to the roof, she suddenly became aware of the enormous crowd surrounding her. She would levitate more than once. The spiritually foul odor of sinners was too much for her, she claimed, so she frequently levitated to get away from the odor.

Later, she disclosed that she had passed away. A vision of the miseries of purgatory was shown to her after the separation of her body and soul. Then God offered her two options: go to paradise or come back to earth and assist the souls in purgatory with penance. She made her passionate decision after seeing the souls in Purgatory. She regained consciousness the very next second. She took the request to perform penance very seriously.

She chose to live in abject poverty, putting on nothing more than rags and having no shelter whatsoever. She did her best to stay away from people. But she was not satisfied with mere deprivation; she also pursued suffering in order to heighten her penance. People observed her deliberately immerse herself in embers and remain there for extended periods. Her horrible screams would give the impression that she was in excruciating pain, but she would emerge from the flames unharmed.

To further increase her suffering, she let herself be attacked by dogs and would purposefully run through thickets of thorn bushes. During the winter months, she would spend hours—if not days—submerged in a local river, where the water was cold. On top of everything else, she let herself be drawn into the water wheels of neighboring mills, where she would be whirled about. Even though these occurrences were hurtful and unpleasant for her, she always appeared to come out of them unscathed.

It was a topic of debate among the public: Was she insane or a saint? Or maybe she was possessed by a demon. The second option was severely considered by certain government authorities, leading to her incarceration twice, albeit for brief periods each time.

Upon her second release, she entered a Dominican convent. Despite her extreme acts of penance, she was always submissive, according to her prioress. Word of her wisdom and spiritual assistance quickly spread across the region, drawing in kings and other revered individuals. Despite all of the extreme physical penances, she died naturally at the age of 74.

These points should be considered in case you find her story unbelievable: Firstly, among those who witnessed her penitential practices, the historian and Cardinal Jacques de Vitry saw her plunging herself into flames and escaping unscathed. Secondly, it has already been said that a number of saints of her day looked up to her and sought her counsel. Thirdly, while people were still thinking about her, Thomas of Cantimpré—a writer, theologian, and pupil of St. Albert the Great—researched her biography and prepared a report not long after she passed away.

Finally, the eminent theologian St. Robert Bellarmine spoke highly of her:

“We have reason for believing [Thomas of Cantimpré’s] testimony, since he has for guarantee another grave author, James de Vitry, Bishop and Cardinal, and because he relates what happened in his own time, and even in the province where he lived.”

“Besides, the sufferings of this admirable virgin were not hidden. Everyone could see that she was in the midst of the flames without being consumed, and covered with wounds, every trace of which disappeared a few moments afterwards. But more than this was the marvellous life she led for forty-two years after she was raised from the dead, God clearly showing that the wonders wrought in her by virtue from on high. The striking conversions which she effected, and the evident miracles which occurred after her death, manifestly proved the finger of God, and the truth of that which, after her resurrection, she had revealed concerning the other life.”

Why, though, would God allow someone do such extreme acts of penance? This is Bellarmine's opinion:

“God willed to silence those libertines who make open profession of believing in nothing, and who have the audacity to ask in scorn, Who has returned from the other world? Who has ever seen the torments of Hell or Purgatory? Behold two witnesses. They assure us that they have seen them, and that they are dreadful. What follows, then, if not that the incredulous are inexcusable, and that those who believe and nevertheless neglect to do penance are still more to be condemned?”

The terrifying fire of purgatory is real, and Christina the Astonishing should serve as a warning against it. Thus, let us repent for the sinners in purgatory and live virtuously here on earth.

 

Saint Christina, pray for me that I, too, may one day glorify the Blessed Trinity in heaven. Obtain for me your lively faith, that I may consider all persons, things, and events in the light of almighty God. Pray, that I may be generous in making sacrifices of temporal things to promote my eternal interests, as you so wisely did. Set me on fire with a love for Jesus, that I may thirst for His sacraments and burn with zeal for the spread of His kingdom. By your powerful intercession, help me in the performance of my duties to God, myself and all the world. Win for me the virtue of purity and a great confidence in the Blessed Virgin. Protect me this day, and every day of my life. Keep me from mortal sin. Obtain for me the grace of a happy death. Amen