Lives Of The Saints
October 8
St. Bridget of Sweden
Bridget of Sweden served Christ as a wife, mother, widow, pilgrim, foundress, and courageous counselor whose prayer was centered on the Passion of Our Lord.
Saint Bridget of Sweden, c. 1470, Metropolitan Museum of Art
Brief life
Bridget of Sweden followed Christ through every state of life entrusted to her. As a wife and mother of eight children, she formed a Christian household, served the poor, and accompanied her husband on pilgrimage. After his death, she gave herself more completely to prayer, penance, and works of mercy.
Her deep meditation on the Passion shaped her counsel to rulers, clergy, and popes. Bridget spoke plainly about reform while remaining loyal to the Church, and she urged the popes to return from Avignon to Rome. She founded the Order of the Most Holy Saviour at Vadstena, lived for many years in Rome, and completed a pilgrimage to the Holy Land shortly before her death.
Bridget's revelations nourished late medieval devotion, especially devotion to Christ's Passion and Our Lady's sorrows. The Church's judgment of her holiness does not require approval of every detail attributed to those private revelations. Her sure witness is the courageous life of a wife, widow, pilgrim, foundress, and servant of reform.
Historical note
The Church recognizes Bridget's holiness without requiring acceptance of every detail in the private revelations attributed to her. Her life and her loyalty to the Church remain the secure center.
Next step
One Year St. Bridget of Sweden Novena
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