![[Saint Bridget holy card]](stb07007.jpg "12kb jpg detail from an antique holy card of Saint Bridget of Sweden, artist unknown; please do not write to ask about the image")
Birgitta of Sweden Birgit of Sweden
23 July formerly 8 October
Bridget began receiving visions, most of the Crucifixion, at age seven. Her mother died c.1315 when the girl was about twelve years old, and she was raised and educated by an equally pious aunt. In 1316, at age thirteen, she wed prince Ulfo of Nercia in an arranged marriage. Mother of eight children including Saint Catherine of Sweden; some of the other children ignored the Church.
Friend and counselor to many priests and theologians of her day. Chief lady-in-waiting to Queen Blanche of Namur in 1335, from which position she counseled and guided the Queen and King Magnus II. After Ulfo's death in 1344 following a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, she pursued a religious life, for which she was harassed by others at the court. She eventually renounced her title of princess. Franciscan tertiary. Cistercian. Mystic, visionary, and mystical writer. She recorded the revelations given her in her visions, and these became hugely popular in the Middle Ages.
Founded the Order of the Most Holy Savior (Bridgettines) at Vadstena in 1346. It received confirmation by Pope Urban V in 1370, and survives today, though few houses remain. Pilgrim to Rome, Italian holy sites, and the Holy Lands. Chastened and counseled kings and Popes Clement VI, Urban VI, and Gregory XI, urging them to return to Rome from Avignon. Encouraged all who would listen to meditate on the Passion, and of Jesus Crucified.
Europe Sweden widows
The Fifteen Prayers of... The Fifteen Prayers of... abbess in Brigittine robes with a cross on her forehead, and holding a book and pilgrim's staff;
book;
head and cross;
nun enthroned, with Christ above her and hell below, while she gives books to the emperor and kings;
nun giving a book to Saint Augustine;
nun in ecstasy before the crucifix with instruments of the Passion nearby;
nun reading, holding a cross, with builders in the background;
nun with a cross on her brow witnessing the Birth of Christ, which she saw in one of her visions;
nun with shells, a sign of pilgrimage, sewn on her habit;
nun writing with a pilgrim's equipage nearby;
nun writing with an angel hovering over her shoulder, often whispering in her ear;
nun writing with Christ and the Virgin appearing before her;
pilgrim's staff;
small child at the Scourging of Christ, which she saw in one of her visions
Catholic Encyclopedia, by J P Hirsch Celebration for Saint Bridget of Sweden as Patron of Europe - 3 October 1999 Christian Biographies, by James Keifer Ecole Glossary, by Karen Rae Keck For All The Saints, by Katherine Rabenstein Google Directory Homily, by Pope John Paul II New Catholic Dictionary Pope Proclaims Three New Patrons of Europe - 1 October 1999 Revelations to the Popes, by Saint Bridget Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Society The Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Brunson
Blessed may you be, my Lord Jesus Christ. For our salvation you allowed your side and heart to be pierced with a lance; and from that side water and your precious blood flowed out abundantly for our redemption.
Unending honor be to you, my Lord Jesus Christ. On the third day you rose from the dead and appeared to those you had chosen. And after forty days you ascended into heaven before the eyes of many witnesses, and there in heaven you gathered together in glory those you love, whom you had freed from hell.
Rejoicing and eternal praise be to you, my Lord Jesus Christ, who sent the Holy Spirit into the hearts of your disciples and increased the boundless love of God in their spirits.
Blessed are you and praiseworthy and glorious for ever, my Lord Jesus.
from prayers attributed to Saint Bridget