Saint Lydwine of Schiedam

by Joris-Karl Huysmans, Agnes Hastings (Translator)

St. Lydwine of Schiedam. St. Lydwine was bedridden from age 15, when she broke a rib, endured a lifelong illness which was recognized to be of supernatural origin. Her body became covered with sores and abscesses and virtually came apart into three pieces-symbolically representing the condition of the Church. She ate no food except Holy Communion and experienced many mystical phenomena. An incredible story of one of the most heroic victim souls in the history of the Church. Impr. 252 pages.

Genres: Religion, Biography, Spirituality, French Literature, Catholic

252 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1923

About the author

Charles Marie Georges Huysmans was a French novelist who published his works as Joris-Karl Huysmans. AKA: J.-K. Huysmans.

He is most famous for the novel À rebours (Against Nature). His style is remarkable for its idiosyncratic use of the French language, wide-ranging vocabulary, wealth of detailed and sensuous description, and biting, satirical wit.

The novels are also noteworthy for their encyclopedic documentation, ranging from the catalogue of decadent Latin authors in À rebours to the discussion of the symbiology of Christian architecture in La cathédrale. Huysmans' work expresses a disgust with modern life and a deep pessimism, which led the author first to the philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer then to the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Reviews

[Nuno Miguel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I much prefer early Huysmans

[Fabian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not recommended for non-catholics. Opposite to the protestant point of view on Christianity, catholics do believe that pain is a way of reaching indulgences for oneself and for others. In this line, Lydwine of Schiedam is one of the greatest examples of self-abandoning of history. A simple girl willing to give her life and health to teach humility to the world, something very difficult to understand in our present where selfishness is a valuable quality.

The book moves between two basic themes. One, describing the pain and diseases that afflicted Lydwine. This one necessary of course to understand her sacrifice. The second, and more interesting, is the lesson of life that she transmitted to the people of her time. A message that can be as well applied today.

[Chance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written and a joy to learn from. The go-to saintly life on redemptive suffering.

[Fred Dameron · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, I really like Huysmans work. Late in his life he became very religious and his work shows his Catholicism. St. Lydwine is an excellent historical fiction that was well researched by Huysmans. There are some challenging statements that will force some thought, it is a story of a Saint. A good work that is a quick read.

[Dane Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Huysmans does a great job weaving the events of S. Lydwine's life together despite almost no chronological order from her other, closer lived, historians.

I enjoyed how he set the stage for this Saint's life by describing the mayhem all around her, namely that of Europe and the state of the Church. There was great upheaval everywhere, a schisming Church with combative clergy, constant war and pillaging from neighboring kingdoms, and debauched priests.

This Saint bravely fought for those who were sicker than her. Although she was bedridden for most of her life she fought for the reparations of those who were spiritually ill and in need of an intercessor.

I highly recommend this book, both as a great biography and as a spiritual reflection on how we can turn our own suffering into a n exquisite joy only found in the intimacy of Christ.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a Saint for modern times, as I plan to name my first daughter after her, though I am of Italian origin. St Lydwine was a victim soul, whose life became intimately linked to that of Jesus Christ. She shows the way of salvation all must take if they want to do their penitential part to return to the Paradise that Adam and Eve lost through disobedience to God's Law.

[Léon-paul De bruyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disintegration of the body, disintegration of the story.