Bridget of Sweden | |
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![]() Altarpiece in Salem church, Södermanland, Sweden (digitally restored) | |
Widow | |
Born | c. 1303 Uppland, Sweden |
Died | 23 July 1373 (aged 69–70) Rome, Papal 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 Roman Calendar of 1960) 7 October (Sweden) |
Attributes | Pilgrim's hat, staff and bag; crown, writing-book, heart with a cross, book and quill |
Patronage | Europe,[2] Sweden, widows, for a holy death |
Bridget of Sweden, OSsS (c. 1303 – 23 July 1373), born Birgitta Birgersdotter and also known as Birgitta of Vadstena (Swedish: heliga Birgitta), was a Swedish Catholic mystic and the founder of the Bridgettines. Outside of Sweden, she was also known as the Princess of Nericia and was the mother of Catherine of Vadstena.[3]
Bridget is one of the six patron saints of Europe, together with Benedict of Nursia, Cyril and Methodius, Catherine of Siena and Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.