St. Bridget of Sweden

Saint Bridget of Sweden

Widow

Bridget was born in Sweden to a pious noble couple in the first years of the fourteenth century. Bl. Ingrid of Sweden was a close relative. At ten years old Bridget received the first of many visions; a few years later, as her father wished, Bridget married a devout young nobleman named Ulf. The two had eight children, including the future St. Catherine of Sweden. When Ulf became seriously ill after he and Bridget returned from the Compostella pilgrimage, St. Denis appeared to assure Bridget of her husband’s recovery. With Bridget’s permission, Ulf soon retired to a Cistercian monastery, and there died a holy death. Bridget renounced all her noble titles, leaving everything to her children, and pursued religious life herself, eventually founding an Augustinian monastery and the Order of the Most Holy Saviour, known as the Bridgettines. She continued to receive visions and revelations, which she faithfully recorded. Bridget spent the last years of her life doing good work in Rome, where she died in the year of Our Lord 1373 after returning from pilgrimage to the Holy Land. She is hailed as a patroness of Sweden and of all Europe.

Traditional Roman Martyrology for October 8th

ST Bridget, widow, who, after visiting many holy places by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, died at Rome on the 23d of July. Her body was taken to Sweden on the 7th of this month.

The same day, the birthday of the blessed Simeon, an aged man, who, as we read in the Gospel, took our Lord Jesus in his arms.

At Caesarea, in Palestine, in the reign of Decius, St. Reparata, virgin and martyr, who, refusing to sacrifice to idols, was subjected to various kinds of torments, and finally struck with the sword. Her soul was seen to leave her body in the shape of a dove, and ascend to heaven.

At Thessalonica, St. Demetrius, a proconsul, who, for having brought many to the faith of Christ, was pierced with spears by order of the emperor Maximian, and thus ended his martyrdom.

In the same place, St. Nestor, martyr.

At Seville, in Spain, St. Peter, martyr.

At Laodicea, in the time of Diocletian, St. Artemon, a priest, who gained the crown of martyrdom by fire.

In the diocese of Laon, St. Benedicta, virgin and martyr.

At Ancona, Saints Palatias and Laurentia, who were sent into exile in the persecution of Diocletian, under the governor Dion, and sank under the weight of toil and misery.

At Rouen, St. Evodius, bishop and confessor.

At Jerusalem, St. Pelagia, surnamed the Penitent.

℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.

℟. Thanks be to God.