Birgitta (Bridget in English) was born in 1303, the daughter of a Swedish governor and lawspeaker. At the age of 14 she married a nobleman, Ulf Gudmarsson, and was the mother of eight children. Because of her high social rank, she became a lady in waiting at the Swedish court of King Magnus.

At the age of ten she had her first vision of Jesus hanging on the cross. She continued to have visions throughout her life. Some of these were written down in a book Revelations. Most of the revelations have to do with the suffering of Christ, but also contain criticisms and warnings to kings and popes.

After the death of her husband in 1344, she took on an ascetic lifestyle and devoted herself to the care of the poor. In 1349 she made a pilgrimage to Rome where she lived for much of the rest of her life. She established an order of nuns, the Order of the Holy Savior, commonly called Brigittines.

What an amazing woman! It’s hard to imagine a 14th century woman who would take on the political and religious leaders of the time calling them to their moral duty. At the same time she was a person who cared about the poor. She didn’t think they were beneath her. And then there are the visions. I never know what to make of them. All I can say is that I think Birgitta was a holy woman who worked to live out her faith in her life.  That makes her worthy of our attention.

Read Joel 2:28-29 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne