St. Alice

St. Alice of Schaerbeek, born around 1220 in Schaerbeek near Brussels, is a revered figure in Catholic history. At the tender age of seven, she was sent to the Cistercian La Cambre Abbey, where she spent the remainder of her life. Alice became a lay sister and demonstrated a profound love for God. However, her life took a challenging turn when she contracted leprosy at about twenty years old. Despite the isolation and suffering that followed, including blindness and paralysis, Alice found solace in prayer and the Eucharist. Her devotion remained unwavering, and she offered her sufferings for the salvation of others. Alice passed away in 1250. Her legacy as a model of Cistercian spirituality was recognized, and Pope Pius X approved her cult in 1907, although she is not formally canonized. She is celebrated as the patron saint of the blind and paralyzed, with her feast day observed on June 15th. Alice's story serves as a testament to the enduring power of faith and devotion in the face of adversity.