Blessed Christina Of Stommeln

Biography

Blessed Christina of Stommeln, also known as Christina Bruzo, Christina Bruso, Kristina Bruso, or Kristina Bruzo, was born on July 24, 1242, in Stommeln, a duchy of Juilliers in what is now modern-day Germany. She was the daughter of Heinrich and Hilla Bruso, who were wealthy farmers.

From a young age, Christina displayed strong spiritual inclinations. Although she learned to read, she was unable to write. Her spiritual journey began at the age of five when she received a vision of Jesus. This early encounter with the divine laid the foundation for her deep devotion and faith.

At the age of ten, Christina believed that she had become a bride of Christ. However, her parents arranged a marriage for her when she was twelve. Filled with a passionate desire to dedicate her life to God as a religious, she ran away and sought refuge as a Beguine nun in Cologne, Germany. It was during this time that Christina's extravagant piety drew concern from the nuns, who began to question her sanity.

As a result of the doubts raised by the nuns, Christina returned home and found shelter with the parish priest, Johannes. Throughout her life, she endured terrifying "demonic attacks" characterized by being thrown around the room and experiencing invisible forces stabbing her feet. Despite these challenges, Christina remained steadfast in her faith.

In 1268, Christina received the stigmata, the visible wounds resembling those of Christ's crucifixion. The stigmata would return each Easter thereafter, serving as a testament to her deep union with Christ and her participation in his suffering. These mystical experiences drew the attention of many, including the Swedish Dominican monk, Peter of Dacia, who became a long-time correspondent with Christina and documented numerous incidents involving her.

In 1288, Christina's mystical experiences abruptly ended, marking a shift in her spiritual journey. She spent the rest of her life as a cloistered Beguine nun, living a life of contemplation and prayer. Despite living in seclusion, Christina continued to inspire others through her unwavering faith and her dedication to God.

Blessed Christina of Stommeln passed away on November 6, 1312, in an alms house in Cologne, Germany. She died of natural causes and was buried in Stommeln, where she had been born. The veneration of her relics began following her death. In 1342, her relics were moved to Nideggen, Germany, and later, on July 22, 1569, they were transferred to Jülich, Germany.

Over the centuries, Christina's relics were venerated by many, and her skull, in particular, bears marks and indentations that correspond to a crown of thorns. Despite the destruction caused by a bombing incident on November 16, 1944, her relics miraculously survived.

Blessed Christina of Stommeln was beatified on August 12, 1908, by Pope Saint Pius X, who confirmed her cultus, thus recognizing her as Blessed within the Catholic Church. Today, she is remembered for her extraordinary mysticism, her enduring faith, and her representation as a novice approached by the devil and bearing the stigmata. Her feast day is celebrated on November 6th in honor of her death.