Marie of Oignies (Maria Ogniacensis, born Nivelles, now Belgium, 1177, died 1213) was a Beguine saint, known from the Life written by James of Vitry, for Fulk of Toulouse.
"[2] Marie is purported to have received many visions from God, experienced ecstasy and wept uncontrollably when meditating on the Passion of Christ.
She recalled scripture specifically referencing the offenses of 1 Peter 3:3 and 1 Timothy 2:9, which chastise one for wearing costly attire.
She vowed to eat only consecrated wafers, as the unconsecrated bread made her ill.[11] At the time of her death, at age 35, her body was found to be terribly emaciated.
Marie began a semi-religious life, not as a nun, but a beguine by convincing her husband to join her in deep prayer and dedication to charitable work with the lepers of Willambroux.
Her work and faithful devotion inspired other young women to join her in the quaint community to live the rule of Francis.
News of her work and spirituality spread rapidly and reached France, where theology student Jacques de Vitry heard of her.
[4] Later, Thomas of Cantimpre wrote a combined, expanded work on Jacques de Vitry and Marie of Oignies.
She also made regular habit of genuflection to the Lady at the church of St. Mary of Oignies – during a single instance for up to one thousand one hundred repetitions in a forty-day period of deep prayer.
This symbolism of bread and blood was desirable to Marie, as it represented the Eucharistic sacrifice of Christ in which she herself was taking part.
De Vitry writes of this compunction and constant flowing of her tears for several days as a gift that exemplified her compassion and unity with Christ.