Saint of the day July 23: Saint Brigid. Catholic Saints

Every July 23, the Church celebrates Saint Brigid, patron saint of Sweden, founder of the Order of the Most Holy Savior, mother of Saint Catherine of Sweden and, for just over two decades, co-patroness of Europe. It was Pope Saint John Paul II who granted him this title during the eve of the great jubilee of the year 2000.

Saint Brigid shares the patronage of Europe with Saint Benedict of Nursia, Saint Catherine of Siena, Saints Cyril and Methodius, and Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein).

Dignity of women

Pope Benedict XVI affirmed that the life of Saint Brigid shows the role and dignity of women within the Church, evidenced in her “attitude of respect and complete fidelity to the Magisterium of the Church, in particular to the Successor of the Apostle Peter.” .

Using this extraordinary woman as an example, the then Pontiff added: “In fact, in the great Christian tradition, women are recognized with their own dignity, and—following the example of Mary, Queen of the Apostles—a proper place in the Church.” , which, without coinciding with the ordained priesthood, is equally important for the spiritual growth of the community. Furthermore, the collaboration of consecrated men and women, always respecting their specific vocation, is of great importance in today’s world.”

For this reason, like so many other exemplary women in the Church, Saint Brigid continues to “speak” to the hearts of today’s women and men.

Wife, mother and mystic

Brigid Birgersdotter was born in Norrtälje, Uppland (Sweden) in 1302. She was married to Ulf Gudmarsson when she was only 15 years old. She had eight children, whom she carefully educated in the faith. When she became a widow, she renounced the possibility of a second marriage to dedicate herself to prayer, penance and works of charity. She sold her possessions, handed them over to the Church, and entered – without religious consecration – the Cistercian monastery of Alvastra, in her native country.

To this saint and mystic, the Lord revealed a set of prayers, as well as visions of his Passion and messages that invite spiritual consolation. Furthermore, the Virgin Mary instructed her through particular revelations on issues concerning the unity of the Church and the Papacy.

Las Revelations

The account of the particular graces granted to Saint Brigid is contained in her Revelations, dictated to his confessors and secretaries, and which make up an extensive work in eight volumes. Great promises for the conversion and salvation of souls are contained in these texts.

Likewise, within the framework of her mystical experiences, the saint was instructed by the Blessed Virgin Mary in devotion to her “Seven Sorrows.” The practice of this devotion involves praying seven Hail Marys daily, meditating on the tears and pains of the Mother of God. To whoever becomes a devotee, the Virgin will grant peace and everything that has been requested of her, as long as she does not go against the will of God. Furthermore, the Virgin will defend him in spiritual combat, among other graces.

On the other hand, the Lord Jesus revealed to Saint Brigid fifteen prayers to be prayed over the course of a year – also accompanied by great promises – as well as the famous set of prayers intended to be prayed over twelve years. In the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome there is the miraculous crucifix, sculpted by Pietro Cavallini (1250-1330), before which the saint received on her knees the prayers that the Lord revealed to her.

Patroness of Europe

Saint Brigid died in Rome (Italy) at the age of 70, on July 23, 1373. She was canonized eighteen years after her death.

Her proclamation as Patroness of Europe responds to certain characteristics of her exemplary life: having belonged to the Swedish nobility, she showed total detachment from it for spiritual motivations. Furthermore, she traveled throughout Europe, helping to affirm the Catholic roots of the Continent – she walked, for example, the road to Compostela alongside her husband Ulf – and, later, as a widow, she embarked with her spiritual children – future members of the order that he would found – heading to the Holy Land, where he arrived in 1371.

After Ulf’s death, Brigida devoted herself entirely to prayer and the strengthening, in various places, of the spirit and letter of monastic life, particularly of the female branch. The fruit of this effort was the founding of the Order of the Most Holy Savior (Order of the Holy Savior).

His journey in this world ended on July 23, 1373, in the city of Rome, while he awaited the return of Pope Gregory XI (December 1370-March 1378), exiled in Avignon at that time. Saint Brigid had previously expressed her disagreement with the Popes residing outside of Rome, so Gregory XI himself requested it directly through a letter, in which she also criticized the failures and scandals caused by members of the curia.

In 1378, there was the second and definitive approval of the rules of the Order founded by the saint. Her remains, after having remained in Rome, were repatriated to Sweden where they remain to this day in the Vadstena Abbey.

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If you want to know more about Saint Brigid of Sweden, you can read this article from the Catholic Encyclopedia: https://ec.aciprensa.com/wiki/Santa_Brigit_of_Sweden.

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