Bridget of Sweden

Bridget of Sweden, born around 1304, was a Swedish Catholic mystic and the founder of the Bridgettine Order. She came from a prominent noble family and was related to Swedish royalty. After a marriage that produced eight children, and the death of her husband, Bridget dedicated herself to a life of prayer, charity, and religious reform. She established the Bridgettine Order, characterized by its double monasteries for men and women and emphasis on poverty and almsgiving. Bridget undertook significant pilgrimages, including to Rome and Jerusalem, advocating for the return of the papacy to Rome and urging moral reform. Her visions, particularly those concerning the Passion of Christ and the Nativity, significantly influenced religious art and devotion. She was canonized in 1391 and is recognized as one of the six patron saints of Europe.

Following the death of her husband in 1344, Bridget embraced a life of deep spirituality, joining the Third Order of Saint Francis and focusing on prayer and aiding the poor and sick. It was during this period that she conceived the idea for a new religious community, the Order of the Most Holy Saviour, commonly known as the Bridgettines. This order was distinctive for its 'double monastery' structure, housing both men and women in separate cloisters within a shared community. The Bridgettines were mandated to live in poverty, dedicate surplus income to the poor, and were permitted an ample collection of books. Bridget's efforts to establish and gain papal approval for her order involved significant journeys and advocacy, particularly during a time of papal relocation to Avignon.

Bridget embarked on extensive pilgrimages throughout her life, notably to Rome in 1350 during a Jubilee Year, accompanied by her daughter Catherine. She also journeyed to Jerusalem and Bethlehem. These travels were undertaken not only to seek papal authorization for her order but also as part of her mission to elevate the moral standards of the era. She actively campaigned for the return of the papacy to Rome from Avignon. Despite facing opposition and financial difficulties in Rome, Bridget remained a beloved figure due to her kindness and charitable works, continuing her advocacy for Church reform until her death in 1373.

Bridget experienced profound mystical visions from a young age, with the Passion of Christ becoming a central theme in her spiritual life after a vision at age ten. Her 'Celestial Revelations' gained significant attention and circulation during the Middle Ages, making her both revered and controversial. Her visions of the Nativity, in particular, had a lasting impact on Christian art, influencing depictions of the birth of Jesus by emphasizing the infant as a source of light and portraying the Virgin Mary in a kneeling, prayerful posture. Her visions also extended to Purgatory and included prophetic elements, such as a prediction of the Vatican State's boundaries.

A set of prayers known as the 'Fifteen O's' or 'Fifteen Our Father and Hail Mary prayers' is attributed to Bridget, stemming from her desire to know the number of blows Christ received during his Passion. While the precise authorship has been debated, with some scholars suggesting an English origin, these prayers became widely popular in the late Middle Ages, often accompanied by promises of spiritual graces and indulgences. Despite criticism of these extravagant promises, notably from Martin Luther, Bridget's influence persisted. She was canonized in 1391 and later recognized as one of the six patron saints of Europe.

“They who despise me, and spurn my love for them.”

“I received 5480 blows upon My Body. If you wish to honor them in some way, recite fifteen Our Fathers and fifteen Hail Marys with the following Prayers, which I Myself shall teach you, for an entire year. When the year is finished, you will have honored each of My Wounds.”

“Yet there is no doubt that the Church, which recognized Bridget's holiness without ever pronouncing on her individual revelations, has accepted the overall authenticity of her interior experience.”