Blessed Catholic Saints and Angels


~~Witnesses of Faith pray for us ! ~~

Thursday, July 23, 2009

July 23 : Feast of Saint Bridget of Sweden

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Contemplating the crucified Lord and in intimate union with his Passion, Saint Bridget was able, with prophetic determination, to complete the mission which Christ had entrusted to her for the good of the Church and society at that time.In a difficult and complicated age of the history of the Church and of Europe, this disciple of the Lord never stopped working for the genuine progress of the unity of believers.Today we remember this holy woman with a passion for Christian unity that sustained her entire life.Saint Bridget’s love for the Church and her witness to the Cross are a model for us all.May St Bridget be our example and intercessor.
She said :

"True wisdom, then, consists in works, not in great talents, which the world admires; for the wise in the world's estimation . . . are the foolish who set at naught the will of God, and know not how to control their passions."
--Saint Bridget of Sweden.

Lord our God, you revealed the secrets of heaven to St. Bridget as she meditated on the suffering and death of your Son. May your people rejoice in the revelation of your glory. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

We give thanks to the Lord for giving us this distinguished and holy daughter of Sweden, who was a unique witness to the deep Christian roots of European civilization.

Daughter of Birger Persson, the governor and provincial judge of Uppland, and of Ingeborg Bengtsdotter, Bridget was born in Sweden in 1303. From the time she was a child, she was greatly devoted to the passion of Jesus.
When she was only ten, it is recorded that she had a vision on Jesus on the cross and heard him say, “Look at me, my daughter."
"Who has treated you like this?" cried little Bridget.
Jesus answered, "They who despise me and refuse my love for them.” From that moment on, Bridget tried to stop people from offending Jesus.
When she was 14, she married 18-year old Ulf. Like Bridget, Ulf had set his heart on serving God. They had eight children, of whom one was St. Catherine of Sweden. Bridget and Ulf served the Swedish court. Bridget was the queen's personal maid. Bridget tried to help King Magnus and Queen Blanche lead better lives, however for the most part, they did not listen to her.
All her life, Bridget had marvelous visions and received special messages from God. In obedience to them, she visited many rulers and important people in the Church. She explained humbly what God expected of them.
After her husband died, Bridget put away her rich clothes and lived as a poor nun. Later, in 1346, she began the order of the Most Holy Savior, also known as Bridgettines. She still kept up her own busy life, traveling about doing good everywhere she went. And through all this activity, Jesus continued to reveal many secrets to her. These she received without the least bit of pride.
Shortly before she died, the saint went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. At the shrines there, she had visions of what Jesus had said and done in each place.
All St. Bridget's revelations on the sufferings of Jesus were published after her death.
St. Bridget died in Rome on July 23, 1373. She was proclaimed a saint by Pope Boniface IX in 1391.

Saint Bridget , thank you for your prayers and revelations , be our Protector and Intercessor in Heaven !

St. Birgitta, fearless in the service of God, pray for us.
St. Birgitta, patient in suffer­ing and humiliation, pray for us.
St. Birgitta, marvellous in thy love towards Jesus and Mary, pray for us.
Pater, Ave, Gloria.Amen

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