She was born in Sweden in the 14th century, 1303 - 1373. As a young girl of ten she was deeply touched by a vision of Jesus hanging upon the Cross. She asked Him, "Who has treated you like this?" Christ answered, "They who despise me and spurn my love for them." From that experience on, she had a profound devotion to the sufferings of Christ.
St. Bridget was the daughter of Birger Persson, a knight and governor of Uppland, a wealthy land owner, and Ingeborg Bengtsdotter, a relation of the reigning royal family in Sweden. As was the custom she was married at an early age, thirteen. Her husband, Ulf Gudmarsson, was three years older. They were married for nearly thirty years and had eight children. In 1341 they went on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. On the return trip, Ulf became ill and was taken to the Cistercian monastery at Alvastra where he was cared for until his death in 1344.
After Ulf's death, Bridget remained living near the monastery. She spent many hours in prayer and caring for the poor. The prior of the abbey recorded the many visions that she had during this time. One of the revelations instructed her to form a religious order of cloistered women and men which she did. The Order became known as the Bridgettines or the Order of the Most Holy Saviour. The Order consisted of women and a few men under the same religious rule but they lived in separate monasteries at Vadstena.
You might think Bridget was enamoured with her visions but on the contrary she was concerned about them, wondering if the devil was influencing her in an unstable way. She submitted her visions to a priest of experience and learning who confirmed their authenticity and later she committed them regularly to Peter, the prior of Alvastra Abbey, who wrote them down.
In 1350 St. Bridget with her daughter Catherine and a few priests went on a Jubilee Year Pilgrimage to Rome. She was to remain in Rome until her death in 1373. It was in Rome that she hoped to receive approval for the Rule of the Bridgettines by the pope and while there to encourage the papacy to return from Avignon, France to Rome.
During this period of time she carried on numerous charitable works and was beloved by all in Rome and its surroundings for her kindness and generosity. In 1370 when Pope Urban V was in Rome, she received approval of the Rule for the Bridgettines.
Inspired in one of her visions to visit the Holy Land, she left Rome in 1372 on pilgrimage to the holy sites. She died shortly after her return from this pilgrimage. Her daughter, Catherine, who is venerated as a saint, returned to Sweden to carry on the religious direction of the Bridgettines, and later St. Bridget's granddaughter, Ingegerd Knutsdotter, became the Abbess of Vadstena.
St. Bridget is known for many things. She was a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, foundress of a religious order, mystic, advisor to the hierarchy, and author of many prayers. Her original feast day was October 8, but with the updated Roman calendar under Pope Paul VI, it was transferred to her date of death, July 23.
The fifteen prayers of St. Bridget are recited by many during Lent or on Fridays when the sufferings of Christ on the Cross are especially remembered. I think you will find her prayers inspired.
Here are some websites for further reading
History of the Bridgettine Order
https://stpius10mulund.org/st-bridget-of-sweden/
You will find a Swedish Spice Cookies called Pepparkakor in this blog in the September 23, 2014 Archives. It is a delicious cookie to make and enjoy as you honor St. Bridget on her feast day.
St. Bridget, daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, lover of the Lord,
Pray for us and our families!
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