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Daughter of Birger Persson, the governor and provincial judge of Uppland,
and of Ingeborg Bengtsdotter. Her father was one of the greatest
landowners in the country, her mother was known widely for her piety, and
the family were descendants of the Swedish royal house. Related to Saint
Ingrid.
Bridget began receiving visions, mostly of the Crucifixion, at age seven.
Her mother died c.1315 when the girl was about twelve years old, and she
was raised and educated by an equally pious aunt. In 1316, at age
thirteen, she wed prince Ulfo of Nercia in an arranged marriage. Mother of
eight children including Saint Catherine of Sweden; some of the other
children ignored the Church.
Friend and counselor to many priests and theologians of her day. Chief
lady-in-waiting to Queen Blanche of Namur in 1335, from which position she
counseled and guided the Queen and King Magnus II. After Ulfo's death in
1344 following a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella, she pursued a
religious life, for which she was harassed by others at the court. She
eventually renounced her title of princess. Franciscan tertiary.
Cistercian. Mystic, visionary, and mystical writer. She recorded the
revelations given her in her visions, and these became hugely popular in
the Middle Ages.
Founded the Order of the Most Holy Savior (Bridgettines) at Vadstena in
1346. It received confirmation by Pope Urban V in 1370, and survives
today, though few houses remain. Pilgrim to Rome, Italian holy sites, and
the Holy Lands. Chastened and counseled kings and Popes Clement VI, Urban
VI, and Gregory XI, urging them to return to Rome from Avignon. Encouraged
all who would listen to meditate on the Passion, and of Jesus Crucified.
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