Live Well for Christ
July 23, we remember the life of St. Bridget (Brigitta) of Sweden, who said, “To write well and speak well is mere vanity if one does not live well.”
It is believed that as a young child, Birgitta had a vision of The Man of Sorrows. When she asked Him who did this to Him, he answered “All those who despise my love.”
She continued to have visions throughout her life.
As tradition in the Middle Ages Bridget was married when she was only 13 years old to a young man, Ulf Gudmarsson. The couple had eight children, four girls and four boys.
Upon Ulf’s death, Bridget lived in a little house at an abbey in Alvastra, where he was buried. She became the founder of the Bridgettine nuns after having a vision when God gave her the detailed plans on how to do so.
Interestingly enough – one of her daughters became a saint also – St. Catherine of Sweden.
