On Saint Bridget of Sweden…

One of the great things about Common Time, (the longest season of the church year) is the opportunity to focus more on the rhythm and pattern of the lives of the saints.  Generally, during Common Time, lectionary readings focus on Jesus’ public ministry and the need to grow the Kingdom. 

But hidden away in the calendar are a multitude of Saints’ days, and these are the people who show us through example how to go about living incarnationally and proclaiming the Good News, which is exactly what Our Lord did!

I enjoy saying Mass for the saints that fall during the week.  Often, on a Monday or Saturday when I am based at home I will quietly offer Mass in thanks for a saint who has inspired or shaped me.

Sometimes during the week, I will come across a saint  of whom I have little knowledge and I always make a point of reading a little about them.  Just last week we had Ss Mary Magdalene (Wednesday) Bridget of Sweden (Thursday) and James the Apostle(Saturday)

I am sure we all know about St James.  He is an important biblical figure who witnessed much of Jesus’ ministry.  He was martyred by Herod, the first of the Apostles to die for his faith.  According to legend, his remains are held in Santiago de Compostela in Spain.  Each year many pilgrims walk  the “way of St James” and make their pilgrimage to the site.

St Mary Magdalene was one of Our Lord’s closest followers and a key person in the resurrection story.  She witnessed his crucifixion, and the Gospels tell us she was the first to witness the empty tomb.

But how much do you know about Bridget of Sweden?

Born early in the 14th century, she married young and had 8 children (6 survived.)  After the death of her husband, Bridget became a Third Order Franciscan and devoted herself to care of the sick and dying.

She established a religious order, the Bridgettines, and they lived a humble life of prayer and service to the poor and needy.  She was an advocate for change, and pushed hard for ecclesiastical reform.  She believed women had a role to play, and was a early adopter of religious communities which had both men and women in them.  Very controversial in the 14th century!

I had some spiritual direction from a Bridgettine at one time when I was  considering becoming a lay Roman Catholic.  Back then they were housed in the RC seminary in Oscott near Birmingham in the UK, but I believe they have found a new home.  If it wasn’t for her, I probably would still be an Anglican!  But that’s another story. 

There are Bridgettine branches all over Europe, and nowadays much of their work focusses on ecumenical relationships and spirituality.   This is a very attractive part of their charism, and to this day the brothers and sisters in this order encourage services to take place in their chapels with protestant tradition ministers leading.  This is pretty unique in RC ordering, and a source of great joy. 

It primarily occurred because of the Lutheran influence in Sweden post-reformation, but it continues to this day and is one of the reasons we can have hope that other parts of the church do recognize each other as part of the One Body!