Beata Cristina Ciccarelli

Blessed Christina Ciccarelli, also known as Christina of Aquila, Christine of l’Aquila, and by her birth name Matthia Ciccarelli, was born on 24 February 1481 in Luco, Abruzzi, Italy. She was the youngest of six children born to Domenico de Pericolo.

From an early age, Christina was drawn to the religious life and expressed a deep devotion to God. In June 1505, she entered the monastery of Saint Lucia in Aquileia, Italy, as an Augustinian recluse. Upon entering the monastery, she took the religious name Christina.

Throughout her life, Christina exhibited exceptional piety, humility, and generosity towards the poor. She was admired for her unwavering commitment to a life of prayer and contemplation. People from all walks of life sought her out as a spiritual director, recognizing her wisdom and sanctity.

Blessed Christina captivated the hearts of many due to her extraordinary spiritual experiences. On the feast of Corpus Christi, she was witnessed levitating, and a radiant image of a Host in a golden pyx emanated from her breast. This event left a lasting impression on those who witnessed it and contributed to her reputation as a prophet and mystic.

During a vision on Good Friday, Christina experienced the invisible stigmata, replicating the wounds of Christ on her own body. She endured the agonizing pains of the Crucifixion until the following day, serving as a profound testament to her union with Christ's suffering.

Christina passed away on 18 January 1543 in Aquileia, Italy, from natural causes. She was buried at the church in the monastery of Saint Lucia, positioned just to the right of the altar. Her tomb became a place of veneration for many faithful who sought her intercession and invoked her as a model of holiness.

Nearly four centuries after her death, on 18 January 1841, Pope Gregory XVI beatified Christina Ciccarelli, recognizing her cultus, or popular devotion. Today she is remembered as Blessed Christina Ciccarelli, a holy woman revered for her remarkable spiritual life and her profound impact on those who encountered her.