One of the main reasons that I love telling the stories of the Saints is that they represent to me the full spectrum of the human condition. They show us how God can work in our lives no matter who we are or what we struggle with. So far, in this first week, we have had Saints who dealt with physical disabilities and infertility as well as Saints from various parts of the world. Today's Saint had a different challenge - that of mental illness.
Christina Mirabilis was born in 1150, the youngest of three daughters in the family. When she was 21 years old she suffered a seizure and was thought to be dead. Her funeral Mass was held with an open coffin (the custom at the time). During the Agnus Dei, she arose and "levitated" to the rafters. She later explained that she could not bear the smell of the sinful people.
During the time that she was dead, she claimed that she had been transported to hell, purgatory and heaven. She was given the choice of remaining in heaven or returning to earth to perform penance to deliver souls from purgatory. She agreed to return. Christina renounced all comforts of life, dressed in rags, lived without a home and sought all that could cause her suffering. She would throw herself into fires, into icy waters and allow herself to be attacked by dogs, but would emerge unharmed.
Although some saw her extreme actions as a sign of insanity or possession, others saw her as a holy woman sent to warn people of the pains of purgatory. Several contemporary Saints thought well of her and sought her advise. Christina was arrested twice on suspicion of demonic possession. After her release the second time, she moderated her behavior somewhat and eventually entered a Dominican Monastery. The prioress testified that she would humbly and fully obey any command given by her superiors. She died there at the age of 74 of natural causes.
Christina's feast day is July 24. She is patron of people with mental disorders and mental health workers.
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