The Basics: Born May 2, 1880 in Italy; died February 17, 1952, in Italy; beatified June 15, 2019; feast day, February 17. Mystic.
The Story: It’s said there were signs early on that Edvige was someone special. The day she was born, her mother saw a special luminescence in a communion host. And, when the child entered the world, she had a small cross imprinted upon her chest.
Edvige would have a life of cross carrying. She wanted to become a woman religious, but ceded to her mother’s strong desire to have Edvige at home with her. Edvige also had numerous supernatural encounters–her spiritual journal, which she began in her twenties, tells of interactions with Jesus, the Blessed Mother, and a number of saints, but also with the devil, who sought to harm her physically. Edvige also experienced the stigmata.
All of this mysticism did not keep Edvige from a life of service, however. She was a lay Franciscan, a member of the Daughters of Mary and support associations for a variety of priestly communities, and provided direct service to those in need, including political prisoners, during World War II. She also was known as a staunch anti-communist, and prayed for the fall of that political system in Russia in particular.
Edvige’s Wisdom: “We must always provide comfort and hope.”
What We Can Learn from Edvige: Consider keeping a spiritual journal, even for a day or a week, about the goodness the Lord provides for you.
To Learn More About Edvige: Visit the website for her, created by the parish where she is buried.
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.