Bridget of Sweden

Who they were

Bridget, of an aristocratic Swedish family, felt called to religious life but married Ulf, governor of an important district, at her father's wish. Their marriage was happy and gave them eight children, among them St Catherine of Sweden. With Ulf she took up the Franciscan Third Order rule and founded a small hospital, and the king called her to court to introduce the young queen to Swedish culture.

Widowed after more than twenty years, she gave up her goods and lived near the Cistercian monastery of Alvastra, where the mystical experiences recorded in the eight books of her Revelations began. In 1349 she went to Rome to have her Order of the Most Holy Saviour approved, and stayed there, begging at church doors, pressing the Pope to return from Avignon and writing to princes to end the Hundred Years' War. She died in Rome in 1373.

The miracles

St John Paul II declared her co-patron of Europe in 1999, noting that the Church accepts the overall authenticity of her inner experience without ruling on each revelation.

Why that counted as sanctity

Wife, mother, widow and foundress, Bridget lived every stage of life for God, and used her voice to call popes and kings to reform and peace.

Connected on this site

• Catherine of Vadstena Saint Child
  “She was the mother of Catherine of Vadstena.” — Wikipedia
• Benedict of Nursia Saint
  “Bridget is one of the six patron saints of Europe, together with Benedict of Nursia, Cyril and Methodius, Catherine of Siena and Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.” — Wikipedia
• Catherine of Siena Saint
  “Bridget is one of the six patron saints of Europe, together with Benedict of Nursia, Cyril and Methodius, Catherine of Siena and Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.” — Wikipedia
• Hemming of Turku Saint
  “He was also a close friend of Saint Bridget of Sweden.” — Wikipedia