RENEWER OF THE CHURCH

JULY23

St. Birgitta of Sweden

St. Birgitta

The Story

St. Bridget (Birgitta in Swedish) was born to the governor of Uppland, Sweden around 1303 A.D. His name was Birger Persson, a man of considerable influence in that country.

Uppland

The Story

Like many other saints, Birgitta began to have visions and dreams as a child. These centered on Jesus Christ crucified and on the Virgin Mary, His mother.

Birgitta was twelve years old when her mother died.

The following year, 1316, she was married to Ulf Gundarsson, the son of the governor of West Gothland, Sweden.

West Gotland

The Story

Her marriage to Ulf was a happy one that produced eight children, four boys and four girls.Unusual for the time, all of her children survivedchildhood!

One of her girls, Katrina, was later remembered as a saint herself, St. Katherine of Vedstena. She died in 1381.

Birgitta would herself be buried there in 1373.

Vedstena, West

Gotland

The Story

Birgitta gained a well deserved reputation not only for her charity, but for her saintly bearing. She had a wonderful influence upon her husband, Ulf. In 1341, she and her husband went on a two year long pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, in Northwestern Spain.

Ever since the 9th century, even until today, Santiago de Compostela has been a pilgrimage destination. It is said that the Apostle James’ remains had been brought there. The pilgrim path that Birgitta and Ulf took is called the Way of St. James.

The Story

In 1344, not long after their return from Santiago de Compostela, Ulf passed away. He died in a Cistercian Monastery in Sweden.

Birgitta then devotedthe rest of her life to herreligion. She moved intoa house near the monas-tery where she stayed until she moved to Rome.

The Story

During her time at the monastery, she founded the Order of the Holy Savior, commonly known as the Brigittines. Her daughter, St. Catherine became the first Abbess of the first Briggittine monastery in Sweden

A few years ago, Pope John Paul II attended a prayer service with several Scandinavian Lutheran bishops in Rome. This ecumenical service was arranged through the Brigittines.

The Story

Birgitta moved to Rome in 1350, but it wasn’t until 1370 that Pope Urban IV confirmed her Order.

During that time, Birgitta continued her life of good deeds done in Christian kindness. Her reputation spread widely.

A book about her visions also contributed to her popularity. Called “Celestial Revelations” and written by her confessor and the canon of Linkoping, Sweden, this book was widely read during the Middle Ages.

The Story

One of her “Celestial Revelations” came just before her death in 1373. She described a vision of the Birth of Jesus which showed the Baby Jesus emitting light from himself and watched over by a blond haired Mary. Also there was a single candle on a nearby wall. All of these images made there way into religious art of the time.

The Story

“…the virgin knelt down with great veneration in an attitude of prayer, and her back was turned to the manger…I saw the glorious infant lying on the ground naked and shining. His body was pure from any kind of soil and impurity. Then I hear also the singing of the angels, which was of miraculous sweetness and great beauty…”

The Story

Birgitta died, following a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, on July 23, 1373. Eighteen years later, she was canonized by Pope Boniface IX. In 1999, at the prayer service in Rome sponsored by the Birgittines, Pope John Paul II names St. Birgitta the patron saint of Europe.

Her Order of the Holy Savior continues today.

Remember

St. Birgitta is remembered for her devotion to prayer and good works in Christ’s name. She is remembered for encouraging other in their faith. Birgitta is remembered for always wanting to learn more, to do more, to pray more.

Prayer

Dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ , remembering Saint Birgitta, we are encouraged to be faithful in prayer and good works. We confess to you our self satisfaction. Give your Holy Spirit free reign in our lives, so that we may imitate Saint Birgitta who well loved our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen