Catholic Church celebrates feast day of St. Bridget of Sweden

The Catholic Church celebrated the feast day of St. Bridget of Sweden on July 23. A mystic from the Middle Ages, Bridget was a wife, mother, and lady-in-waiting who founded a religious order that continues to exist.

Born in Sweden in 1303 to wealthy parents, Bridget experienced her first vision of Christ on the cross at age 10. She later wrote about these revelations, which were published after her death. In 1316, she married Ulf Gudmarsson, the Swedish prince of Nericia. The couple joined the Third Order of St. Francis and used their resources to care for the poor and build a hospital.

While serving in the royal court as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Blanche of Namur, Bridget also raised eight children. One of her children eventually became a saint.