St. Alice

St. Alice, also known as Aleydis, was born at Shaerbeck, near Brussels, Belgium. Her life exemplifies the profound mystery of suffering and how it can be transformed into a path of holiness and spiritual growth. From a very young age, she demonstrated an extraordinary calling to religious life and a remarkable capacity to find God's presence even in the midst of great physical suffering.

At the tender age of seven, Alice entered the Cistercian convent named Camera Sanctae Mariae, where she would remain for the rest of her life. This early entrance into religious life demonstrates not only her precocious spiritual maturity but also the recognition by her family and the religious community of her special vocation. The Cistercian community was deeply inspired by her spirit of humility, which would become even more evident as she faced the trials that lay ahead.

However, at an early age, Alice contracted leprosy, a disease that would dramatically change the course of her life. Leprosy was not only physically devastating but also carried significant social stigma in medieval times. The disease caused Alice intense suffering, and as it progressed, she became paralyzed and was afflicted with blindness. These multiple afflictions - leprosy, paralysis, and blindness - would have been overwhelming for most people, but Alice found ways to transform her suffering into spiritual growth and deeper union with Christ.

Due to the danger of contagion, Alice had to be isolated from the rest of the community. This isolation, combined with her physical limitations, could have led to despair, but instead, it became an opportunity for deeper prayer and mystical experiences. Her greatest consolation came from the reception of the Holy Eucharist, although she was not allowed to drink from the cup because of the danger of contagion. This restriction, which might have seemed like a deprivation, became the occasion for a special mystical experience.

The Lord appeared to Alice with assurance that to receive under one species (the Host alone) was sufficient. This divine reassurance not only comforted her but also affirmed the Church's teaching about the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Her mystical experiences and ecstasies became well-known, and she became a source of spiritual inspiration for her community despite her physical isolation.

St. Alice died in 1250, leaving behind a legacy of courage, faith, and spiritual wisdom. Her devotion was approved in 1907 by Pope Pius X, recognizing her as a model of how to bear suffering with grace and find consolation in the sacraments. Her life continues to inspire those who face illness, disability, or other forms of suffering, showing that even in the darkest moments, God's grace can transform pain into a path of holiness.

Liturgical Celebration

St. Alice's feast day is celebrated on June 15th, commemorating her death and her witness to the Christian life of suffering and mystical union with God. This feast is particularly meaningful for those who suffer from illness, disability, or other forms of physical or emotional pain, as St. Alice serves as a powerful example of how to bear suffering with grace and find consolation in the sacraments. Churches and communities may hold special prayer services or Masses on this day, particularly those that serve the sick or disabled.

Traditions and Customs

On St. Alice's feast day, many communities, especially those with connections to healthcare, disability services, or Cistercian spirituality, may hold special prayer services or Masses. Some may choose to reflect on the themes of suffering, consolation, and the Eucharist that are so central to St. Alice's story. The day serves as an opportunity to pray for those who are sick or suffering, and to remember that God can work powerfully even in the midst of physical limitations and pain.

Prayer and Devotion

Devotees pray to St. Alice for strength in times of illness and suffering, for the grace to find consolation in the sacraments, for patience in accepting physical limitations, and for the wisdom to transform suffering into spiritual growth. Her intercession is particularly sought by those who are sick or disabled, by those who care for the sick, by those who feel isolated due to illness, and by all who need courage to face physical or emotional challenges. Her example reminds us that even in the darkest moments, God's grace can transform pain into a path of holiness.