Born in Lodi in 1481, Christine Ligarelli distinguished herself from childhood by her piety and refusal of finery. At twenty-five, she joined the Augustinians in Aquila where she became prioress, distinguishing herself by her charity towards the poor and her mystical ecstasies. She died in 1543 and her cult was officially recognized in the 19th century.
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BLESSED CHRISTINE LIGARELLI (1543).
Youth and early piety
Born in Lodi in 1481 under the name Methiase, Christine manifested from childhood a contempt for vanity and a deep devotion to the Virgin Mary.
Among the virgins remarkable for their virtues produced by the 16th century, one must count the Blessed Christ ine Licarelli, born Christine Licarelli 16th-century Augustinian virgin and prioress. in Lodi in Lodi Birthplace of the saint. 1481, known first by the name Methiase. From her childhood, she showed an uncommon piety and such a great aversion to vain adornments, which ordinarily so flatter the vanity of young people, that one could never induce her to put any refinement into her clothing. Entirely occupied with fasting and prayer, she neglected her outward appearance and desired only the things of heaven. She was seen recollected in God, who was the most ordinary object of her thoughts; and all her pleasure was either to speak of Him or to suffer for Him. As soon as time permitted, she went every day to visit an image of the Blessed Virgin that was found in a chapel not far from her dwelling, and there she placed her innocence under the special protection of the Mother of Mercy.
Religious life in Aquila
Under the guidance of Vincent of Aquila, at the age of 25 she joined the Augustinian monastery of Saint Lucy, where she became prioress despite her humility.
To follow the advice of Bles sed Vincent of Aquila, a fam bienheureux Vincent d'Aquila Franciscan friar and spiritual director of Christina. ous religious of the Orde r of Saint Francis, who Ordre de Saint-François Global order in which Raynier is honored. had been her director, and also to respond to heavenly inspiration, Christine, at the age of twenty-five, went to Aquila and presented herself at the monast ery of Saint Lucy, inhab monastère de Sainte-Luce Monastery in Naples where the saint retired and died. ited by nuns of the Order of the H ermits of Saint Augustine. She was Ordre des Ermites-de-Saint-Augustin Mendicant religious order to which both saints belonged. received there and soon showed herself to be a fervent novice. Her great modesty, extreme gentleness, perfect poverty, and boundless obedience were especially noted. Although ill, she never wished to be dispensed from the abstinence practiced in the monastery. Her sleep, taken on a very hard bed, was only a few hours. After her profession, she inspired so much confidence in her sisters that they chose her as prioress of the community. Christine tried in vain to oppose this choice; she had to submit, but she used her authority only to take upon herself the lowest tasks of the house and to render to each of the nuns all the services that depended on her.
Charity and mystical life
She distinguished herself by her zeal for the salvation of souls, her charity towards the poor, and mystical gifts such as contemplation and ecstasy.
Her charity was not limited to being useful to her companions: filled with the spirit of Jesus Christ and seeking only to please Him, the virtuous prioress eagerly seized every opportunity she found to relieve the misery of the poor. Corporal alms were not the only ones she gave to her neighbor; her zeal for the salvation of souls led her to address pious exhortations to those who had relations with her, and her salutary discourses thus strengthened the good she accomplished through her edifying examples. Her words were but the expression of the sentiments of her heart, for Christine lived only for God. Favored with the gift of contemplation, she was quite often rapt in ecstasy. Frequent toothaches and side pains also came to exercise her patience and could not overcome her. Having reached the age of sixty-two, she went to be reunited with her divine Spouse in the year 1543. At the very moment of her passing, children announced it with cries and songs that they made heard in the streets. The miracles performed at her tomb stirred the faithful to render her public worship, which Pope Gregory XVI approved by his de cree of January 1 pape Grégoire XVI Pope who established the liturgical feast of the blessed. 3, 1840.
Passing and recognition
Died in 1543, her death was miraculously announced by children; her cult was officially approved by Pope Gregory XVI in the 19th century.
See the life of the blessed by Corn elius Curtius, an Cornelius Curtius Hagiographer and author of a life of the blessed woman. d the lessons of her office. We have borrowed this summary from Godescard Godescard Hagiographer and translator, primary author of the source. (Lille ed.).
Sources
The account is based on the works of Cornelius Curtius and Godescard.
See the life of the blessed one by Cornelius Curtius, and the lessons of her office. We have borrowed this summary from Godescard (Lille ed.).
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Born in Lodi in 1481
- Entered the monastery of Saint-Luce in Aquila at the age of 25
- Religious profession with the Hermits of Saint Augustine
- Election as prioress of her community
- Died at the age of 62 in 1543
- Approval of cult by Gregory XVI on January 13, 1840
Miracles
- Gift of contemplation and frequent ecstasies
- Announcement of her death through the cries and songs of children in the streets
- Miracles performed at her tomb