CRISTINA da STOMMELN, saint. — Born in 1242 at Stommeln near Cologne, died there on 6 Nov. 1312. Her life up to 1286 was written by the Swedish Dominican Pietro di Dacia, her confidant, with whom she also exchanged letters, preserved and now published. In her youth she lived for some time with the Beguines of Cologne, then, because of illness, returned to her paternal home.
She suffered spiritually and bodily many vexations, which she and her contemporaries attributed to diabolical operations, but which at least in part were due to pathological causes. In all her tribulations she preserved her ardent faith and a candid purity, which the Lord rewarded with ecstasies and with the stigmata that at certain times appeared on her hands and feet. From 1288 until her death she was freed from the aforesaid vexations. She was regarded as a saint by her contemporaries and also worked miracles. Since 1568 her relics have rested in the church of Jülich. Pio X confirmed her cult in 1908. Her feast is on 6 Nov.