Today is the Feast of Saint Bridget of Sweden (c. 1303 –1373). Happy feast day! Lycklig festdag!
“Are you feeling unsure on how to go forward from here? Often the best example of how to go forward comes from the past. Today we celebrate the feast of a very holy woman who walked through extraordinary times, just like we are encountering today,” writes Bert Schomberger, Lay Ministry Coordinator for the Diocese of Lansing, July 23.
“In your life today, if you aren’t sure where we will be in the next six months you can lean on the Lord, just like St. Bridget did in her life. Follow the Lord and you may end up doing something that changes the world around you!”
Saint Bridget was happily married for 28 years to Prince Ulf Gudmarsson, Lord of Närke. Together they had eight children. Following his death in 1344, Bridget became a member of the Third Order of St. Francis and devoted herself to a life of prayer and caring for the poor and the sick.
Following the guidance of the Holy Spirit, she later went to Rome, where she worked for the return of the Popes from Avignon. She died of natural causes in 1373, at the age of seventy-one. This Scandinavian mystic is famous for her Revelations concerning the sufferings of our Redeemer. She is now the patroness of Sweden and co-patroness of Europe.
Reproduced below is Bert Schomberger’s reflection upon this great feast day:
“Are you feeling unsure on how to go forward from here? Often the best example of how to go forward comes from the past. Today we celebrate the feast of a very holy woman who walked through extraordinary times, just like we are encountering today.”
“From a young age she paid attention to the Lord’s call in her life. She was first led to marriage, married into royalty and gave birth to eight children. She lived a life of charity toward unwed mothers and their offspring.”
“When Bridget then found herself a widow she devoted herself to a life of prayer and caring for the sick. In 1350, the Lord led Bridget to make a pilgrimage amidst a plague that was ravaging Europe. She was accompanied by her daughter, who later became Saint Catherine of Sweden.”
“Bridget’s courage during that time proved influential in founding a religious order and gained positive influence with the Pope in a time where the Church was in need of reform. She became universally beloved in Rome for her kindness and good works.”
“In your life today, if you aren’t sure where we will be in the next six months you can lean on the Lord, just like St. Bridget did in her life. Follow the Lord and you may end up doing something that changes the world around you!”
Happy feast day! Saint Bridget of Sweden, pray for us!
• Additional material from Catholic Culture at https://www.catholicculture.org/