St. Bridget of Sweden – Gods Messenger

St. Bridget of Sweden was a 14th century mystic and religious leader, who founded the Bridgettines, a monastic order of nuns and priests. She is known for her visions, spiritual writings, and her commitment to promoting the spiritual life of the laity.

St. Bridget was born in 1303 in Finstad, Sweden, to a prominent and wealthy family. She was married at the age of 13 to Ulf Gudmarsson, a nobleman, and together they had eight children. Despite her life as a wife and mother, Bridget had a deep spiritual inclination and felt called to a religious life.

After the death of her husband in 1344, St. Bridget decided to dedicate herself fully to the religious life. She began to have visions and received revelations from God which she recorded in her spiritual diary. Her writings, known as the Revelations of St. Bridget, were later compiled into a book and are considered a valuable source of spiritual insight and guidance.

St. Bridget felt called to promote the spiritual life of laypeople, and believed that they should be able to participate in the contemplative life of the Church. She founded the Bridgettine Order, a monastic order of nuns and priests that focused on contemplative prayer, but also on actively serving the people in the surrounding community.

St. Bridget made several pilgrimages to Rome, where she met with the Pope and other prominent religious leaders. She used these opportunities to advocate for Church reform and for the rights of the Swedish people. She also used her influence to promote the cult of the Holy Eucharist and the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

St. Bridget died in Rome in 1373, and her tomb in the church of Santa Elisabetta became a popular site for pilgrimage. Pope Boniface IX canonized her in 1391, and she became the first canonized saint of Sweden. Her feast day is celebrated on July 23rd.

St. Bridget is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church, but also in the Anglican, and some other Protestant traditions. Her spiritual writings and her commitment to promoting the spiritual life of laypeople continue to be an inspiration for many people around the world. St. Bridget is also the patron saint of Sweden, and the Order of the Most Holy Savior founded by her is known for its devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and its role in promoting Eucharistic Adoration.

In summary, St. Bridget of Sweden was a 14th century mystic and religious leader, who founded the Bridgettines monastic order, and known for her visions, spiritual writings, and her commitment to promoting the spiritual life of the laity. She was canonized by Pope Boniface IX and considered the first canonized saint of Sweden. Her spiritual teachings continue to inspire many, and the Order she founded continues to promote the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Eucharistic Adoration.

The Life of St. Bridget of Sweden

St. Bridget of Sweden is one of the Church’s most fascinating saints. St. Bridget lived from 1303 to 1373. The Church celebrates the Feast Day of Saint Bridget of Sweden on  October 8. St. Bridget of Sweden is the patron saint of Sweden and co-patron saint of all of Europe along with St. Catherine of Siena.

On the Sunday before Ash Wednesday in 1314, ten-year-old Bridget was deeply affected by a sermon on the Passion of Christ. The next night Bridget was looking at a crucifix on the wall of her room. Everything else seemed to vanish and the crucifix became vivid and luminous.

“Look upon me, my daughter,” said our Lord from the cross. “Oh Lord,” said Bridget, “who has done this to you?” “Those who despise me, and spurn my love for them.“

The incident made an impression on Bridget’s mind that was never erased. From that time, the sufferings of the Crucified Christ became the center of her spiritual life. From that time, too, Bridget was to have mystical experiences. She has been called God’s Ambassador because she carried God’s message to nobles, to bishops, to kings, and to popes.

 

The Life of St. Bridget of Sweden

St. Bridget of Sweden was born in the castle of Finsta near Uppsala. She was the youngest of the seven children of Sir Birger Persson, governor of the province of Upland, and of his wife, the Lady Ingeborg. When Bridget was 11, her mother died, and the girl went to live with her Aunt Karin. Here she was educated as a daughter of the nobility. When she was about 14, her father arranged a marriage with a young nobleman, Ulf Gunnarsson. Bridget wept because she did not wish to marry, but she carried out her father’s wishes.

The wedding took place in the chapel of the castle of Ulfasa, Bridget’s future home. The couple grew in their love and appreciation of each other eight children were born to them, two of whom died in childhood.

 

St. Bridget was an Adviser to the King of Sweden

In 1328 Saint Bridget’s father died. Her share of the estate made her one of the richest women in Sweden. About 1335 Bridget was summoned to the court of the young King of Sweden, Magnus II. She was to be a teacher to the young queen and a sort of motherly adviser to the king. She became the godmother of their first child, Erik.

For a time the king and queen seemed to appreciate Bridget’s efforts and to be guided by her counsel. But the queen was weak and luxury-loving, while the king was unsteady. He sometimes went to extremes in pious practices, and then to extremes in vice. Some of Bridget’s children were also causing her anguish. Her eldest and youngest daughters made unfortunate marriages.

The behavior of her flighty son Karl also caused her many tears. During this time, Bridget was receiving the personal revelations which were to make her famous. The revelations ranged from seemingly minor matters to the Hundred Years’ War between France and England.

Most people in the court of the king did not take these revelations seriously. “What was the Lady Bridget dreaming about last night?” became a standard joke. In 1339 Bridget and Ulf made a pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Olaf in Norway. She returned to Sweden and made a further vain attempt to curb the excesses of the king and queen. Then, in 1341, she and Ulf made a pilgrimage to the tomb of St. James in Spain.

 

The Death of St. Bridget’s Husband

During the return trip Ulf became dangerously ill at Arras in Flanders and received the last sacraments. Bridget prayed: Ulf must not die now! While she watched at Ulf’s bedside, St. Dionysius appeared and told her that Ulf would have to return to Sweden, that she would eventually go to Rome and Jerusalem, and, he added: “By thee God will be made known to the world.” When Ulf was able to travel they returned to Sweden. Ulf died at the guest house of the Cistercian monastery at Alvastra. Bridget and their eight-year-old son Bengt were with him when he died.

After the death of her husband Bridget divided her possessions among her children and the poor. Karl, as the eldest son, became master of the family castle at Ulfasa, and the other children were well provided for. Bridget was free from earthly ties and able to follow Christ in poverty.

One day while Bridget prayed alone in the chapel at Ulfasa, her uplifted and she was given a moving prayer in honor of soul was wounds of Christ. This prayer was repeated daily for the remainder of her life. It was in keeping with her never-ceasing devotion the sacred passion.

From 1345 to 1349, St. Bridget lived in the guest house of the Cistercian monastery. It was against the rules for her to be there, but certain supernatural events convinced the monks that her presence was the will of God. In Alvastra, as elsewhere, Bridget visited the sick and often discovered the spiritual malady that underlay the physical one. She was the instrument of numerous cures of body and soul.

 

The Visions of St. Bridget

While in Alvastra, Saint Bridget received so many visions and revelations that she became alarmed, fearing that she was deluded by the devil or by her own imagination. But a thrice repeated vision told her to submit her revelations to a certain priest of experience and learning, and he said they were of God.

The superior of the monastery, Petrus Olai, became her unwilling secretary for the revelations. She needed one, because often in ecstasy she was not able to write; she could only dictate. God gave Bridget practically the whole of Christendom as her field of labor. He was to use her as an instrument in the spiritual rebirth of Sweden, in ending the devastating war between France and England, and in securing the return of the pope to his see city of Rome. (Because of chaotic conditions in Rome, the popes had deserted the city and had been residing at Avignon, in France.)

At God’s command, Bridget went to the royal court and reprimanded King Magnus for his sins. She also included the queen, the nobles, and the bishops in her denunciation. For a time Magnus mended his ways. He liberally endowed a monastery which Bridget wished to found at Vadstena. After some years this monastery was established and it housed 60 nuns and 25 monks who lived in completely separate buildings. This was the beginning of the Order of the Holy Savior, or Bridgettines as they are commonly called. There are no men in the order today.

In the fifteenth century, the monastery at Vadstena was Sweden’s greatest center of learning, As a result of a vision Bridget wrote a very strong letter to Pope Clement VI telling him to return to Rome, to try to bring about peace between France and England, and to tell the ruler of the latter country that disaster awaited unless he abandoned the war The pope declined to leave Avignon, but he sent an emissary to the King of England. The king refused to abandon the war.

 

St. Bridget’s Journey to Rome

Later, England was struck by the Black Death and suffered a great defeat when Joan of Arc led the French forces to victory. In 1349 our Lord told Bridget to go to Rome and stay there until she should see both the pope and the emperor in the Eternal City. The conditions which she found in Rome were unbelievable. Control of the city was divided between the Orsini and Colonna families who were bitter enemies. Churches were neglected; some were in ruins. Streets were dirty. Crime and disorder were everywhere.

For 20 years, Saint Bridget remained in Rome. She became known throughout the city for her charity. She cared for the poor and the sick; she rescued the abandoned. Despite her charity, she was once threatened by an angry mob because of her supposed preference for the Orsini family. On one occasion she ran out of funds and had to beg. Through all this she never slackened her efforts to bring the pope to the city.

The young emperor came to Rome as a pilgrim in 1355. Twelve years later Pope Urban V paid a visit to the city. She submitted to him the rule for her proposed monastery, and he approved it The Emperor Charles IV visited Rome a second time in 1368. Bridget had seen the pope and the emperor in Rome. Was her mission then fulfilled?

Pope Urban V wished to return to Avignon. Bridget told him death awaited him if he went there. He went nevertheless and that died three months later. Bridget hoped that the new pope would come to Rome. She sent four letters, each stronger than the preceding, but they did not come.

 

St. Bridget’s Journey to Jerusalem

At length, Bridget received her long awaited message: “Go to Jerusalem.” Her sons Karl and Burger and her daughter Catherine decided to accompany her. At Naples, they awaited a ship. A number of miraculous cures were attributed to Bridget’s intercession while he was in Naples. Karl was attracted to beautiful, thrice married Giavonna, Queen of Naples. Although neither was free to marry, they determined upon a sinful union. Bridget stormed heaven for the soul of her son. He became seriously ill. He died after two weeks of suffering during which he repented and received the last sacraments.

Later, Bridget was told that Karl had been saved. Bridget had been warned that her visit to the Holy Land must be limited to Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Jordan. There would be time for no more. Reverently she walked the ways that our Lord had trod. Here she received revelations concerning the birth of our Lord, His crucifixion and death. Bridget was back in Rome in 1373 and spent her last Lent there.

She died July 23, 1373, apparently in an ecstasy during the celebration of Mass. Two of her children, Birger and Catherine, were with her. Wearing the gray habit of a Franciscan tertiary, she was buried on July 27 in the convent of the Poor Clares, San Lorenzo in Panisperna. Before the year ended her bones were disinterred to be taken back to Sweden. At every stop the remains were received with reverence by clergy and people who regarded Bridget as a saint.

 

The Completion of St. Bridget’s Holy Life

Saint Bridget did not see the pope permanently established in Rome. She did not see the end of the Hundred Years’ War. She did not see the completion of her monastery at Vadstena. Was her life’s work, then, a failure? She received assurance from heaven that it was not. All these things would come about after her death. The revelations of St. Bridget cover a period of many years. The Church has declared that Catholics may read them with spiritual profit, but they have merely the status of private revelations. Bridget was canonized 18 years after her death, not because of the revelation but because she had led a holy life and had practiced charity to a high degree.

 

ANOTHER SAINT OF THE SAME NAME:

• St. Brigid of Ireland, died 525. One of the patrons of Ireland where she founded several convents. Feast Day: February 1.

 

Prayer to St. Bridget of Sweden

O Lord, make haste and illumine the night. Say to my soul that nothing happens without You permitting it, and that nothing of what You permit is without comfort. O Jesus, Son of God, You Who were silent in the presence of Your accusers, restrain my tongue until I find what I should say and how to say it. Show me the way and make me ready to follow it. It is dangerous to delay, yet perilous to go forward. Answer my petition and show me the way. As the wounded go to the doctor in search of aid, so do I come to You. O Lord, give Your peace to my heart. Amen.

St. Bridget of Sweden, Mother of the Church

Dear St. Bridget, you were a devoted mother to your children and a faithful servant of the Church. I ask for your intercession for (insert name or intention), who is in need of a mother’s love and care. Please pray that they may be surrounded by the love and support of the Church, and that they may be guided by the Holy Spirit in all they do. Amen.

St. Bridget of Sweden, Advocate for the Poor and Needy

Dear St. Bridget, you were a tireless advocate for the poor and the marginalized, and you worked to provide for their needs. I ask for your intercession for (insert name or intention), who is in need of assistance and support. Please pray that they may be granted the resources and help they need to overcome their difficulties, and that they may know the love and care of our Lord. Amen.

St. Bridget of Sweden, Intercessor for Healing

Dear St. Bridget, you were known for your miracles of healing and for your compassion for the sick. I ask for your intercession for (insert name or intention), who is suffering from (insert illness or condition). Please pray that they may be granted comfort and healing, and that they may have the strength to endure this trial with courage and faith. Amen.

St. Bridget of Sweden, Consoler of the Bereaved

Dear St. Bridget, you were a source of comfort and hope for those who were grieving the loss of loved ones. I ask for your intercession for (insert name or intention), who is grieving the loss of (insert name of loved one). Please pray that they may be granted peace, comfort, and the assurance of our Lord’s love, and that they may find solace in their memories of their loved one. Amen.

Popular St. Bridget Medal and St. Bridget Rosary

St. Bridget of Sweden: The Patron Saint of Sweden and Abused Women

St. Bridget of Sweden, born in 1303, was a mystic and religious leader known for her devotion to God and her strong commitment to helping those in need. She was declared a saint by the Catholic Church in 1391 and is considered the patron saint of Sweden and abused women.

As a young woman, St. Bridget was married and had eight children, but she was deeply committed to her spiritual life. She was known for her deep devotion to God and her strong faith, and she often received mystical visions from God that guided her in her work. She used these visions to help those in need, particularly women who were suffering from abuse and neglect.

St. Bridget is recognized as the patron saint of Sweden because of her strong connection to the country. She was born in Sweden and lived there for much of her life, and her spiritual teachings and works had a profound impact on the people of the country. To this day, St. Bridget is remembered and revered in Sweden, and her feast day is celebrated on July 23rd.

In addition to being the patron saint of Sweden, St. Bridget is also considered the patron saint of abused women. This is because of her strong commitment to helping women who were suffering from abuse and neglect. She was a vocal advocate for the rights of women and worked tirelessly to support and empower those who were suffering. Her message of compassion and her efforts to help those in need continue to inspire women who are facing similar struggles today.

In conclusion, St. Bridget of Sweden was a remarkable woman who was known for her deep devotion to God and her strong commitment to helping those in need. She is remembered and revered as the patron saint of Sweden and abused women, and her message of compassion continues to inspire people around the world.” “

Reflection on the feast day of St. Bridget of Sweden

The feast day of St. Bridget of Sweden is celebrated on July 23rd.

St. Bridget of Sweden was a 14th-century mystic and religious leader, who founded the Order of the Most Holy Savior, also known as the Bridgettines. She is known for her deep devotion to God and her commitment to helping the poor and marginalized.

One of the main themes of St. Bridget’s teachings is the importance of humility and self-sacrifice. She believed that true holiness comes from putting others before oneself and serving God through serving others. This is exemplified in her founding of the Bridgettines, a religious order dedicated to providing care for the poor and the sick.

Another important aspect of St. Bridget’s spirituality is her emphasis on the importance of contemplative prayer and union with God. She had many mystical experiences and visions, and she believed that through deep contemplation and union with God, one could attain a deeper understanding of God’s love and grace.

In reflecting on the feast day of St. Bridget of Sweden, we are reminded of the importance of humility, self-sacrifice, and contemplative prayer in our own spiritual journey. Let us strive to follow in her example and put the needs of others before our own, and to seek a deeper union with God through prayer and contemplation. May St. Bridget intercede for us and guide us on our spiritual journey.

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Saints Similar to St. Bridget of Sweden

You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. Catherine of Sweden and St. Birgitta of Vadstena. St. Bridget of Sweden, St. Catherine of Sweden, and St. Birgitta of Vadstena were all Swedish saints known for their piety and mystical experiences. St. Bridget was the founder of the Bridgettine order. St. Catherine was a daughter of St. Bridget. St. Birgitta was a mystic and writer. Next up: Biography of St. Brigid of Ireland

 

Also check out our handmade St. Bridget of Sweden Medal and St. Bridget of Sweden Rosary and St. Bridget of Sweden Rosary Bracelet.