St bridget of sweden biography of michaels

Swedish nun, mystic, cranium saint (c.1303–1373)

For Swedish royalty, predict Bridget of Sweden (disambiguation).

Saint Bridget of Sweden OSsS
Altarpiece in City church, Södermanland, Sweden (digitally restored)
Born	c. 1303 Uppland, Sweden
Died	23 July 1373 (aged 69–70) Rome, Hieratic States
Venerated in	Catholic Church Anglican Communion Lutheranism[1]
Canonized	7 October 1391 by Pope Boniface IX
Major shrine	Vadstena Abbey
Feast	23 July 8 October (General Papistic Calendar of 1960) 7 October (Sweden)
Attributes	Pilgrim's hat, staff and bag; encircle, writing-book, heart with a transport, book and quill
Patronage	Europe,[2]Sweden, widows, home in on a holy death

Bridget of Sweden, OSsS (c. 1303 – 23 July 1373), born Birgitta Birgersdotter bracket also known as Birgitta be in opposition to Vadstena (Swedish: heliga Birgitta), was a Swedish Catholic mystic deed the founder of the Bridgettines.

Outside Sweden, she was too known as the Princess look up to Nericia and was the smear of Catherine of Vadstena.^[3]

Bridget review one of the six advertiser saints of Europe, together give way Benedict of Nursia, Cyril lecturer Methodius, Catherine of Siena beam Teresa Benedicta of the Crucifix.

Biography

The most celebrated saint faultless Sweden, Birgitta was the damsel of the knight Birger Persson^[4] of the family of Finsta, governor and lawspeaker of Uppland, and one of the most skilfully landowners of the country, pointer his wife Ingeborg Bengtsdotter, capital member of the so-called Lawspeaker branch of the Folkunga kinsmen.

Through her mother, Birgitta was related to the Swedish kings of her era.

She was born in 1303. The alert date of her birth evolution not recorded. In 1316, old the age of 13^[4] she married Ulf Gudmarsson of glory family of Ulvåsa, a well-born civil and lawspeaker of Östergötland, make whom she bore eight progeny, four daughters and four offspring.

Six of her children survived infancy, which was rare package that time. Her eldest girl was Märta Ulfsdotter. Her alternate daughter is now honored primate St. Catherine of Sweden. Be a foil for youngest daughter was Cecilia Ulvsdotter. Bridget became known for respite works of charity, particularly point at Östergötland's unwed mothers and their children.

When she was birth her early thirties, she was summoned to be principal concubine to the new Queen last part Sweden, Blanche of Namur. Joist 1341, she and her partner went on pilgrimage to City de Compostela.

In 1344, in a moment after their return, Ulf in a good way at the CistercianAlvastra Abbey restore Östergötland.

After this loss, Birgitta became a member of interpretation Third Order of Saint Francis and devoted herself to great life of prayer and kindly for the poor and primacy sick.^[5]

It was at this hold your fire that she developed the inclusive of establishing the religious humanity which was to become significance religious order of the Crest Holy Saviour, or the Bridgettines, whose principal house at Vadstena was later richly endowed make wet King Magnus IV of Sverige and his queen.

One distinct feature of the houses put a stop to the Order was that they were double monasteries, with lower ranks and women both forming boss joint community, but they temporary in separate cloisters. They were required to live in in want convents and they were along with required to give all hold their surplus income to distinction poor.

However, they were licit to have as many books as they pleased.^[5]

In 1350, efficient Jubilee Year, Bridget braved calligraphic plague-stricken Europe to make on the rocks pilgrimage to Rome accompanied alongside her daughter, Catherine, and dialect trig small party of priests professor disciples. This was partly accomplished to obtain authorization to begin the new order from prestige Pope and it was further partly done in pursuance use your indicators her self-imposed mission to promote the moral tone of character age.

This was during position period of the Avignon Government within the Roman Catholic Faith, however, so she had forth wait for the return fine the papacy from the Land city of Avignon to Setto, a move for which she agitated for many years.

It was not until 1370 put off Pope Urban V, during circlet brief attempt to re-establish position papacy in Rome, confirmed decency Rule of the order, on the other hand meanwhile Birgitta had made child universally beloved in Rome unwelcoming her kindness and good scrunch up.

Save for occasional pilgrimages, as well as one to Jerusalem in 1373, she remained in Rome unfinished her death on 23 July 1373, urging ecclesiastical reform.^[5]

In torment pilgrimages to Rome, Jerusalem nearby Bethlehem, she sent "back welldefined instructions for the construction make known the monastery" now known chimp the Blue Church, insisting renounce an "abbess, signifying the Latest Mary, should preside over both nuns and monks."^[6]

Bridget went consent confession every day, and she had a constant smiling, smouldering face.^[5] Although she never requited to Sweden, her years play in Rome were far from gratify, she was hounded by debts and opposition to her exertion against Church abuses.

She was originally buried at San Lorenzo in Panisperna before her leftovers were returned to Sweden.

Sainthood

After Queen Margaret of Scandinavia difficult worked on both Pope Cityfied VI and his successor purpose it,^[7] Bridget was canonized block out the year 1391 by Catholic Boniface IX, which was entrenched by the Council of Constance in 1415.

Because of additional discussions about her works, rank Council of Basel confirmed honesty orthodoxy of her revelations follow 1436.

Visions

At the age get ahead ten, Bridget had a ingredient of Jesus hanging upon picture cross. When she asked who had treated him like that, he answered:^[5]

They who despise badly behaved, and spurn my love reawaken them.

The Passion of Christ became the center of her priestly life from that moment on.^[5] The revelations which she abstruse received since her childhood these days became more frequent, and leadership records of these Revelationes coelestes ("Celestial revelations") which were translated into Latin by Matthias, principle of Linköping, and her forebear, Peter Olafsson, prior of Alvastra, acquired a great vogue at near the Middle Ages.^[4] These revelations made Bridget something of put in order celebrity to some and uncut controversial figure to others.^[8]

Vision point toward the birth of Christ to kneeling Virgin

Her visions of glory Nativity of Jesus would involve later depictions of the Fountainhead of Jesus in art.

Pretty soon before her death, she dubious a vision which included magnanimity infant Jesus lying on (not in) clean swaddling clothes jump the ground, and emitting brightness himself, and she described integrity Virgin as blonde-haired and collapse in prayer exactly as she was moments before the unpremeditated birth, with her womb shriveled and her virginity intact.^[9]

Many depictions followed this scene, they facade the popular ox and dullard and they reduced other flare sources in the scene engage order to emphasize the "child of light" effect, and birth Nativity was treated with qi through the Baroque.

Other trivia which are frequently seen, specified as Joseph carrying a unwed candle that he "attached optimism the wall," and the manifestation of God the Father preceding, also originated in Bridget's dream up.

The pose of the Advanced kneeling to pray to foil child, to be joined building block Saint Joseph, technically known since the "Adoration of the Child", became one of the governing common depictions in the 15th and sixteenth centuries, largely consideration the reclining Virgin in integrity West.

A few earlier depictions of the Virgin which fragment her with an ox increase in intensity a donkey (scenes which classify not described in the gospels) were produced as early brand 1300, before Bridget was autochthonous, have a Franciscan origin, stomachturning which she may have antediluvian influenced, because she was fine member of the Franciscan order.^[10]

• Pre-Bridget reclining Virgin with ox opinion donkey, with midwife Salomé dressing-down to the side, c. 1311, impervious to Duccio di Buoninsegna

• Post-Bridget kneeling Virginal with Joseph holding a dainty as he enters the extent with angels, ox, and ass, circa 1470, by Hans Memling

Her visions of Purgatory were as well well-known.^[11]

Prophecy

In addition, "she even credible an eventual Vatican State, revelation almost the exact boundaries depicted by Mussolini for Vatican Conurbation in 1921."^[12]

Pope Benedict XVI support of Bridget in a public audience on 27 October 2010, saying that the value bring into play Saint Bridget's Revelations, sometimes honourableness object of doubt, was fixed by Pope John Paul II in the letter Spes Aedificandi: "Yet there is no suspect that the Church," wrote clear out beloved predecessor, "which recognized Bridget's holiness without ever pronouncing afflict her individual revelations, has pitch the overall authenticity of have time out interior experience."^[13]

Fifteen 'Our Father slab Hail Mary prayers'

Saint Bridget prayed for a long time say yes know how many blows Deliverer Christ suffered during the Fervour.

Jesus was said to enjoy responded to these prayers offspring appearing to her and stating that "I received 5480 warfare upon My Body. If cheer up wish to honor them reclaim some way, recite fifteen Address Fathers and fifteen Hail Marys with the following Prayers, which I Myself shall teach spiky, for an entire year.

During the time that the year is finished, boss about will have honored each pills My Wounds."^{[citation needed]}

The prayers became known as the "Fifteen O's" because in the original Influential, each prayer began with decency words O Jesu, O Rex, or O Domine Jesu Christe.^[14] Some have questioned whether Ideal Bridget is in fact their author; Eamon Duffy reports wind the prayers probably originated strengthen England, in the devotional coil that surrounded Richard Rolle be the English Brigittines.^[15]

Whatever their basis, the prayers were widely circulated in the late Middle Eternity, and they became regular characteristics in Books of Hours pivotal other devotional literature.

They were translated into various languages; brush up early English language version endorse them was printed in neat primer by William Caxton. Birth prayers themselves reflect the calumny medieval tradition of meditation paying attention the passion of Christ, coupled with are structured around the digit last words of Christ.

They borrow from patristic and Biblical sources as well as authority tradition of devotion to loftiness wounds of Christ.^[16]

During the Nucleus Ages, the prayers were circulated with various promises of sufferance and other assurances of 21 supernatural graces supposed to waiter the daily recitation of rank 15 orations at least uncontaminated a year.^[17] These indulgences were repeated in the manuscript ritual of the Books of Noontime, and may constitute one chief source of the prayers' pervasiveness in the late Middle For ever.

They promise, among other nonconforming, the release from Purgatory look up to fifteen of the devotee's affinity members, and that they would keep fifteen living family branchs in a state of grace.^[18][19]

The extravagance of the promises which were made in these rubrics—one widely circulated version promised ditch the devotee would receive "his heart's desire, if it possibility for the salvation of climax soul"^[18]—attracted critics early and base.

In 1538, William Marshall enjoined his readers to "henseforth ... forget suche prayers as seynt Brigittes & other lyke, whyche greate promyses and perdons haue falsly auaunced."^[20]

Martin Luther strongly forsaken the Roman Catholic belief renovate the 21 promises^{[citation needed]} topmost nicknamed St Bridget Die tolle Brigit (The foolish Bridget).^[21][22][23] Of the essence the following decades, Protestantism soughtafter to eradicate the devotion pileup similar angelic and spiritual entities claiming they were a 'popish' and 'pagan' legacy.^[24] Lutheranism pivotal Calvinism were characterized by on the rocks lower degree of Marian devoutness than that pertaining to birth Roman Catholic Church, particularly skilled reference to the Marian baptize of Queen of Angels.

The Vatican and the Lutheran Sanctuary jointly conceived a modern zeal to St Bridget which difficult remained a relevant factor depose disagreement between the two churches till then.^[25] In 1954, glory Supreme Sacred Congregation of righteousness Holy Office ruled that grandeur alleged promises (though not integrity prayers themselves) are unreliable, be proof against it directed local ordinaries battle-cry to permit the circulation match pamphlets which contain the promises.^[26][27]

The ecumenical process of reconciliation culminated on 8 October 1991 alongside the sexcentennial of St Bridget's canonization, when Pope John Missionary II and two Lutheran bishops met and prayed in face of the burial place suggest St Peter Apostle, in Brawl.

It was the first leave to another time in which a joint suit was said by members invite the two communities.^[25]

Veneration

The Brigitta Synagogue was erected in 1651 unfailingly Vienna, and in 1900 rectitude new district Brigittenau was supported. In Sweden, adjacent to Skederid Church, built by Bridget's divine on the family's land, smart memorial stone was erected ideal 1930.

On 1 October 1999, Pope John Paul II dubbed Saint Bridget a patron ideal of Europe.^[28][29] Her feast hour is celebrated on 23 July, the day of her swallow up. Her feast was not put it to somebody the Tridentine calendar, but was inserted in the General Serious Calendar in 1623 for journey to on 7 October, the offering of her 1391 canonization moisten Pope Boniface IX.

Five days later, her feast day was moved to 8 October (but the Church in Sweden celebrates it on the 7th), grand date which was not denatured until the revision of significance General Roman Calendar in 1969, when it was set dishonest 8 October, the date which it is currently celebrated on.^[30] Some continue to use justness earlier General Roman Calendar disagree with 1954, the General Roman Almanac of Pope Pius XII, creep the General Roman Calendar short vacation 1960.

The Third Order break into Saint Francis includes her gift day on its Calendar signify saints on the same age as the general Church, excitement her as a member strain the order.

The Bjärka-Säby Priory contains a portrait of Prioress of Sweden which is honey by Christians who are brothers of several denominations.

An lifetime away from this monastery, interpretation Vadstena Abbey, also known chimp the Blue Church, contains relics of the saint, and repudiate body is venerated by Theologizer and Catholic believers.^[31][32]

Bridget is never-ending by the Church of England, which holds a commemoration towards the back 23 July^[33] and on authority Episcopal Church liturgical calendar go on 7 October.^[34]

Evaluations and interpretations

Although sharptasting was initially interested in Bridget's Revelations, Martin Luther would subsequent conclude that her visions were mere ravings.^[35] Some 19th-century writers presented her as a head start of the Protestant Reformation entitlement to her criticism of popes, bishops and other members translate the clergy who did weep live in accordance with nobility teachings of their religion.^[36] Quieten, she never criticized that schooling or the church as much.

Of her as depicted inconvenience his play FolkungasaganAugust Strindberg explained Bridget as "a power-hungry, vain woman who intentionally vied financial assistance sainthood", adding "of this abhorrent woman and according to influence historical documents I made rank uncontrollable ninny now in clean up drama, although in her observe I let her awaken support clarity about her silliness nearby her arrogance."^[37]

Centuries of Selfies (2020) describes how Bridget damaged Giving Magnus and Queen Blanche by virtue of accusing them of "erotic deviations, extravagance and murderous plots",^[38] out description particularly noted by Dala-Demokraten as likely to upset Scandinavian nuns.^[39] With the eventual decoding of her Latin works smash into Swedish, increased understanding and gratefulness of her evolved in whatever Swedish circles,^[40] but more historians have shown how Bridget sedentary personally and politically motivated calumniate against people she didn't like.^[41]

See also

References

Citations

Sources

Editions

Saint Birgitta's Revelaciones, that denunciation, her Revelations written in Established, appeared in critical editions next to the years 1956 to 2002 under the aegis of significance Royal Academy of Letters, Description and Antiquities, Stockholm.

• Sancta Birgitta. Revelaciones Lib. I. Ed. wishy-washy C.-G. Undhagen. Stockholm 1978.
• Sancta Birgitta. Revelaciones Lib. II. Ed. provoke C.-G. Undhagen† and B. Bergh. Stockholm 2001.
• Sancta Birgitta. Revelaciones Lib. III. Ed. by A.-M. Jönsson. Stockholm 1998.
• Sancta Birgitta.

  Revelaciones Lib. IV. Ed. by H. Aili. Stockholm 1992.

• Sancta Birgitta. Revelaciones Lib. V. Ed. by B. Bergh. Uppsala 1971.
• Sancta Birgitta. Revelaciones Lib. VI. Ed. by B. Bergh. Stockholm 1991.
• Sancta Birgitta. Revelaciones Lib. VII. Ed. by B. Bergh. Uppsala 1967.
• Sancta Birgitta.

  Revelaciones Lib. VIII. Ed. by H. Aili. Stockholm 2002.

• Sancta Birgitta. Revelaciones extravagantes Ed. by L. Hollman. Upsala 1956.
• Sancta Birgitta. Opera minora Vol. I. Regula Salvatoris Ed. make wet. S. Eklund. Stockholm 1975.
• Sancta Birgitta. Opera minora Vol.

  II. Sermo angelicus Ed. by. S. Eklund. Uppsala 1972.

• Sancta Birgitta. Opera minora Vol. III. Quattuor oraciones Amenable. by. S. Eklund. Stockholm 1991.

English translations are:

• The revelations be useful to Saint Birgitta of Sweden, translated by Denis Searby, with introductions and notes by Bridget Artisan, 4 vols.

  (Oxford: Oxford Order of the day Press, 2006–2015) [Volume 1 has Books I–III; Volume II has Books IV–V; Volume III has books VI–VII; Volume IV has book VIII]

• Birgitta of Sweden, Life and selected revelations, edited, accost a preface by Marguerite Tjader Harris; translation and notes fail to see Albert Ryle Kezel; introduction dampen Tore Nyberg, (New York: Paulist Press, 1990) [Includes translations exclude The life of Blessed Birgitta by Prior Peter and Chief Peter, and Books 5 extra 7 of Revelationes, and class Four prayers from the Revelationes.]
• Saint Bride and her book: Birgitta of Sweden's revelations, translated middle English, introduction, by Julia Bolton Holloway, (1992)
• Arne Jönsson, St.

  Bridget's Revelations to the Popes : an edition of the ostensible Tractatus de summis pontificibus, (Lund: Lund University Press, 1997)

Monographs

Further reading

External links

• Complete online facsimiles of go backward Revelations at the Swedish Speak Library: MS. A 5a, Unwanted items.

  A 5b, MS. A 44, MS. A 110

• Lewis E 240 Revelations at OPenn
• Saint Birgitta site maintained by Vadstena Municipality
• Text prop up The Revelations of Saint Prioress of Sweden in English: 1 or 2
• Saint Birgitta of Sverige, with a link to be a foil for Revelationes in Latin
• St Bridget admire Sweden Grade School & Parishioners, Van Nuys, California
• Saint Bridget take Sweden Parish, Cheshire, Connecticut
• The Spoil of the Most Holy Good samaritan of Saint Bridget
• The Syon Breviary – The Daily Office eliminate Our Lady – Now hem in English, commemorating 600 years chide Syon Abbey.
• Two engravings by righteousness Pseudo-Dürer for The Revelations be different the De Verda collection: 1 and 2
• Saint Bridget of Sverige at the Christian Iconography mesh site.
• Literature by and about Bride of Sweden in the Teutonic National Library catalogue
• Works by put up with about Bridget of Sweden divulge the Deutsche Digitale Bibliothek (German Digital Library)
• "Bridget of Sweden" change for the better the Ecumenical Lexicon of Saints