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Saint Bridget of Sweden 600th Anniversary of Canonization Scott 888-889 (1991) The Feast of Saint Bridget of Sweden falls on July 24. Brigitta (1303-1373) is a founder, visionary, and patron of Sweden. She was born into a wealthy family in Upland and married a merchant at age 14. She was the mother of eight children. In 1335 she was appointed Lady in Waiting to Queen Blanche of Namur, the wife of King Magnus III. During this time, she received supernatural revelations. She made pilgrimages to St. Olaf’s shrine in Trondheim and to St. James Compostela. After her husband’s death, she entered a Cistercian monastery at Alvastra (1343-1346). In 1346 she founded an enclosed monastery at Vadstena for 60 nuns and 25 monks. The monastery was characterized by its donations to the poor and a life of poverty. The order was known as the Bridgettine Order and in 1346 Bridget travelled to Rome to obtain its approval. She remained in Rome for the remainder of her life. She also went on pilgrimages including one to Jerusalem. She served pilgrims, the sick, and others in need at Rome. Her dictated writings concentrated on Christ’s passion and were finished by her daughter, Catherine (often referred to as St. Catherine of Vadstena, although she was not canonized). She discouraged Sweden’s crusade against pagans in Latvia and Lithuania, encouraged Avignon Pope Clement VI to return to Rome, and encouraged peace between England and France in the 100 Years’ War. She was canonized in 1391 for her virtue. Bridgett’s relics were returned to Vadstena Abbey. The Santa Brigida Church at the Campo de’ Flori is the Swedish national church in Rome. She is one of the six patron saints of Europe, so named on October 1, 1999, by Pope John Paul II. REFERENCES: |
