THE LIFE OF SAINT BRIDGET

Saint Bridget (also called Brigitte), daughter of Birgir, royal blood Prince of Sweden, was born about the year 1302 of highly pious parents. Having lost her mother soon after birth , little Bridget was brought up by one of her virtuous aunts.

Bridget suffered the loss of speech until the age of three, whereas she immediately began praising God. In her early childhood serious discourses pleased her and grace powerfully filled her heart so that only pious readings attracted her.

At the age of ten she was particularly touched by a sermon on the passion of our Lord, all covered with blood and wounds, nailed to the Cross. At the same time, she heard a voice saying
: "Look upon Me, My daughter."
"Oh, dear Lord," asked Bridget, "who has treated You so cruelly ?"
Our Lord replied, "Those who despise Me and are insensible to my Love for them."

That mysterious "dream" left so deep an impression on her that from then on she continually meditated on the Sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ, which drove her to tears.

At the age of fifteen, through "parental" obedience, she was married to Prince Ulf, a very pious young man. Eight children were born into the family. Her examples, more than her instructions, sanctified her large family. Her revelations and other celestial favours made her all the more fervent and humble. One of her daughters became St.Catherine of Sweden.

The Brigittines was founded by her. Having returned from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, she died at Rome in 1373.

Those who visit the Church of St.Paul at Rome can see the natural-size crucifix(sculptured by Pierre Cavallini), before which St.Bridget knelt, with the following inscription : "Pendentis pendente Dei verba accepit aure accipit et verbum corde Brigitta Deum. Anno Jubilei MCCCL", that recalls the Prodigy with which the crucifix conversed with Bridget. (Translation - Bridget not only receives the Words of God hanging suspended in the air but takes the Word of God into her heart. Jubilee year in 1350)