Baring-Gould’s sources: Belgian Martyrolo^ies, also the Martyrology of the Cistercian Order. Authority: — A life by a Cistercian, and a contemporary.] The blessed Aleydis of Scharembeke entered the Cistercian Order at the age of seven, and lived in the convent of Cambre, near Brussels. She devoted her affections from earliest childhood to God. A sudden and terrible blow fell on her. She was attacked with leprosy. When die horrible doubt which had assailed her at the first indications of the disease were changed into conviction that she was struck with that loathsome and incurable disorder, the shock was almost beyond what she could bear. She was obliged to live in a cell apart from all the 9i9ters, to hold no communication with them, and to be alone in the world. When she entered for the first time the lone cell — removed from the convent, where she was to live and die, she burst forth into a cry of uncontrollable agony, and flung herself on the ground, but was caught and held up; then shuddering she opened her eyes and looked, and One was staying her in His arms, whose face she knew, there was a wreath of thorns around His temples, and there were nail-prints in His hands and feet “My child,” said He, “I shall never leave thee nor forsake thee.”

She was not allowed to communicate of the precious Blood, lest by touching the chalice with her lips, she might communicate the contagion of her disorder to the other sisters.1 This was to her another grievous distress, for she craved for the Blood with burning desire, and was incon1 M Postea pr* ceteris, causa infirmitatis suae, a cal Ice et Sanguine Domini se cerncrct amoved (nam leprosis propter morbi periculum, ne accedant ad Sanguinem, est interdictum) coepit non modicum contristari.” (June ii.

solable that It was denied her. But she heard a voice which bade her be comforted, “ O beloved daughter, be not troubled, and cease to repine that something of Me is withdrawn from thee, he who with a firm faith eats of My Body, he also is refreshed with My Blood.” The disease continued to make horrible ravages in her face, and she was no more allowed to be present in church. By degrees one of her eyes grew dark, and then, before long, she lost the other. Her prayers were incessant; and though blinded in her eyes, in spirit she saw clearly. Amongst other things clear to that inner sight was her guardian angel Her sufferings towards the end of her life were very great, but were borne by her with wonderful resignation. She offered them for the relief of the souls in purgatory, joining them to the sufferings of her Blessed Lord, thus, as S. Paul says, helping to “ fill up the measure of the sufferings of Christ.” June ta.J.StS. Basilides & Comp.