Page:Catholic Encyclopedia, volume 3.djvu/806

 CHRISTIANS

722

CHRISTINA

years the storm of the Revolution subsided, they returned to France, and in 1S00 the congregation received the approbation of Pius VII. Its work is the education of youth and the giving of spiritual retreats. The Fathers of Christian Retreat used to direct colleges in France, and still act as chaplains to the different convents of the congregation. The Sisters of Christian Retreat teach in elementary and secondary schools, and their rule allows them time and opportunity for higher studies. Those sisters who from age or ill-health are unable to teach spend the greater part of the day in silence and prayer for the members who are engaged in active work. They also do needlework and embroidery of every descrip- tion. Seven times a day the rule calls all the members to the foot of the altar, and every night at midnight a bell is rung in all the convents to rouse the sisters to thank God for the grace of their voca- tions. On the 19th of November a special midnight s?rvice is held in memory of the entry at midnight into the first convent. A special service called the Adoration of the Cross is held every day in all the con- vents. There are no lay sisters; the work of the house is done by all the sisters according to the direction of the superior.

In 1902 the congregation had seventeen houses, thirteen in France, four in England, and more than a t Ik msand members. There were then three novitiates, two in France and one in England, but all the French houses except one have since been confiscated under the Association Law. Convents were then opened in Belgium and Switzerland, and in England there are now seven convents, including a novitiate. The novitiate lasts two years; postulants without dowry, if qualified for teaching in secondary schools, can be received. The habit is of white serge, with a white cape and scapular ; no veil or wimple is worn, but in- stead a white linen band across the forehead and a white serge cap. The sisters are not enclosed; when they go out they wear a black habit and a long black cloak. The government is under a mother-general. In England the convents are at Shepherd's Bush, near London; at Clapham; at Redhill, Surrey; at Cannock, Staffordshire, and three new foundations.

Steele, Convents of Great Britain (London, St. Louis, 1902).

F. M. Steele.

Christians, Persecutions of the. See Perse- cutions, Christian.

Christian Science. See Suggestion.

Christians of St. Thomas. See India; Malabar.

Christie, Alex. See Oregon City, Archdiocese of.

Christina Alexandra, Queen of Sweden, child of Gustavus Adolphus II of Sweden, b. at Stockholm, 8 December, 1626; d. at Rome, 19 April, 1689. Her father (d. 1632) was the famous soldier whose inter- position in the Thirty Years' War wrought so much harm to Catholicism. Maria Eleonora of Branden- burg, her mother, had hoped for a son and was so dis- appointed at the birth of a daughter that she had little love for the child, who was left to the care of nurses. Gustavus Adolphus. however, was tenderly attached to hisdaughter; in 1630, when he sailed for Germany, he commended Christina to the loyalty of his people

and put his sister Catherine, who held her court at

Stegeborg, in charge of the child's education. Three years later Maria Eleonora brought back the body of her husband, Gustavus Adolphus, to Sweden. For a while after this her love eemed to be transferred to the child, but this affectionate relation did not last long, in obedience to the command of her father. Christina was brought up like a hoy and received in- struction in the various branches of learning from distinguished men, among whom was the learned Dr. Matthia;, Bishop of St rcngnas. The princess was an

indefatigable student, and a great reader of good books. Feminine occupations and amusements had no attraction for her, and she was indifferent to dress and finery of all kinds. The mother wished rather to see her daughter lead a life of pleasure, and encouraged her in the enjoyment of wine and other stimulating drinks, so that the country was alarmed for the morals of the heir to the throne, and Christina was sent again to her aunt. When the aunt died she was put under the care of the sister of the celebrated chan- cellor Axel Oxenstiern. In her new surroundings the great talents of Christina rapidly developed. She soon mastered several languages, gained a comprehen- sive knowledge of history and politics, and showed, in particular, a strong liking for theologico-philo- sophical speculations. At the same time the mascu- line qualities of her character grew steadily more evident. Her favourite amusement was bear-hunting, and she could outride most men. At eighteen (8 December, 1644) she was of age and entered on the duties of government with a strong hand. It was not, however, until two years later that she was crowned, the ceremony taking place with great pomp at Stockholm.

At first Christina devoted herself to the affairs of state with most laudable zeal. It was owing to her intervention that the peace negotiations at Minister and Osnabriick were more quickly concluded than had been expected. Christina strove to raise her people to a higher plane of civilization, to promote their welfare in every way, and to insure their pros- perity. Without lowering the dignity suitable to her station she treated all her subjects with justice and condescension. She drew to Sweden artists and scholars, among whom were the philosopher Descartes, and Hugo Grotius, the expounder of international law; by the payment of large pensions she kept these men attached to her court. The praise with which these scholars repaid their royal patron was often immoderate. As time went on Christina gradually lost interest in the task of government and developed an intense desire for new and exciting pleasures, often for those of a most costly character. The health of the queen suffered from the changed method of her life, and it was with great difficulty that her French physician, Dr. Bourdelot, effected a cure. In the meantime the debts thus incurred rose to a huge amount. The Swedish people wished the queen to marry and to give them an heir to the throne, but Christina was not willing to hear of this as she desired to preserve her personal independence. She was much more inclined to abdicate her position and to become a ruler in the realm of genius and learning. At the same time she showed a continually growing inclination to the Catholic Church, for she took no pleasure in the simple forms of the Lutheran belief which was all-powerful in Sweden. It is not possible to prove positively whether Dr. Bourdelot or the Spanish ambassador, Pimentelli, influenced Chris- tina's change of religious views. It is certain, how- ever, that several members of the Society of Jesus, Fathers Macedo, Francken, Malines, and Casati, suc- ceeded in removing her last doubts as to the truth of Catholicism. Christina perceived that she could not continue to reign in Sweden as a convert to Catholi- cism, and resigned the throne in favour of her cousin. Charles ( iustavus of Pfal/.-Zwcihrucketi. a member of

the Wittelsbach family. On 6 June. L654, al Cpsala, she transferred her authority to him with much cere- mony, and on the following day started on her t ravels. She bade farewell to her mother at Nykdping, then hastened to Halmstad, where she dismissed her retinue, ami went to Brussels by way of Hamburg ami Ant- werp. At Brussels she made private confession of her belief in Catholicism; her public entrance into the Church took place in the beginning of November 1655, in the parish church of Innsbruck.