The Basics: Born in 1204 in Belgium; died in 1250 in Belgium; canonized in 1907 by Pius X; feast day, June 15. Woman religious.
The Story: Alice’s burden was a heavy one, but she bore it with humility and grace.
The child was sent to live with Cistercian nuns when she was
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seven, and eventually felt called to join the community. Then when she was in her early twenties, she contracted a skin condition that was diagnosed as leprosy. The sisters set her up in a little hut to avoid contagion. What bothered her more was when she was told she could not receive the Most Precious Blood at communion due to fears of the disease spreading if she touched the chalice. In a vision, Jesus told her not to worry, that receiving the Eucharist was the same gift.
Alice lived with her condition for more than twenty years, and lost all her sight and became totally paralyzed before her death. It is said that despite her heavy burdens, she remained cheerful and confident of the joy that would await her after death.
What We Can Learn from Alice: We can embrace the challenges that come with earthly life, or we can surrender to them and lose faith. The choice is ours.
Alice’s Wisdom: “While this penalty, as you see, is rapidly consuming me, it is also having the happy effect of releasing the living, and of freeing the deceased from all such snares.” (Alice’s words to a sister who wondered how Alice bore her burden)
To Learn More About Alice: Read an excerpt from The Life of Alice the Leper.
To Learn More About Other Women Saints and Blesseds: Come back next week, or consider buying my book, Sisterhood of Saints: Daily Guidance and Inspiration.
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