Bridget (Birgitta) was born in 1303 into a privileged family. Her mother died when she was 10 and so she together with her siblings was raised by a maternal aunt. She had a dream of “The Man of Sorrows” as a young child. She asked the man who had caused his sorrows, he replied: “All those who despise my love”. This dream stayed with her for the rest of her life and influenced her choices. She was married at the young age of 13 and had eight children. Birgitta worked at the King’s court and went on pilgrimages. After her husband died, whom she loved very much, she was inspired to set up a new religious order, Ordo Sanctissimi Salvatoris which was mainly for women. She herself never became a nun. She travelled to Rome in 1349 and worked hard to return the Pope to Rome from France. She had constant visions concerning the reform of the Church, messages for Popes and Kings. She wrote down all her visions. She never returned to Sweden, but died in Rome on 23 July 1373. She is the Patron Saint of Sweden.
Prayer St Bridget of Sweden
Dear Lord, as we reflect on St Birgitta’s life
help us to persevere in doing what we believe is right,
even if progress is limited.
We pray for St Birgitta’s intersession
to give us strength of character
to proclaim God’s love for all.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord.
Amen
St Bridget of Sweden. Pray for us.
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