The story of their life
A Swedish wife, mother, widow, pilgrim and mystic who founded a religious order and addressed leaders. Fourteenth-century Europe experienced plague, war, contested papal leadership and pilgrimage.
Saint14th century · Feast July 23
St Bridget of Sweden
Also known as Birgitta of Sweden, Birgitta Birgersdotter, Saint Bridget
Widow
Mystic
Founder of the Bridgettines
Co-patron of Europe
A Swedish wife, mother, widow, pilgrim and mystic who founded a religious order and addressed leaders.
A note on content. This profile is a prototype draft. Devotional traditions, historical facts and uncertain traditions will be clearly identified once entries are reviewed. We do not publish invented quotations.
Historical context
Fourteenth-century Europe experienced plague, war, contested papal leadership and pilgrimage.
Defining moments
- Raising eight children
- Becoming a widow
- Undertaking pilgrimages
- Moving to Rome
- Founding the Bridgettines
Faith and spirituality
Marriage and motherhood, widowhood, pilgrimage and prayer for reform.
Why this saint matters today
Strong match for widows, mothers entering a new season, pilgrims and women addressing institutions.
Patronage and intercession
People turn to St Bridget of Sweden in matters of:
Europe
Sweden
Widows
Pilgrims
A prayer
God of grace, through the intercession of St Bridget of Sweden, guide us in faith, courage and love. Amen.
Timeline
Sources and further reading
- https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints.html
- https://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Calendar/
Source-quality status: unverified prototype