| Saint Alice, O.Cist. | |
|---|---|
| Virgin and Nun | |
| Born | 1204 Schaerbeek, Belgium |
| Died | 10 June 1250 |
| Honored in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Canonized | Cultus confirmed 1907 by Pope Pius X |
| Feast | June 15 |
| Patronage | The Blind, the Paralysed |
Saint Alice, O.Cist. (or Aleydis) (French: Sainte Alix), (1204–1250) is the patron saint of the blind and paralyzed.
Alice was born at Schaerbeek, near Brussels. At age seven, she entered a monastery of Cistercian nuns named Camera Sanctae Mariae, and she remained there for the rest of her life. The Cistercian community was inspired by her spirit of humility.
However, at an early age, she contracted leprosy and had to be isolated. The disease caused Alice intense suffering, and eventually she became paralyzed and was further afflicted with blindness. Alice's greatest consolation came from reception of the Holy Eucharist, although she was not allowed to drink from the cup because of the presumed danger of contagion. However, the Lord appeared to her with assurance that He was in both the consecrated bread and the wine. Known for visions, she died in 1250. Devotion to her was approved in 1907 by St. Pius X.[1]