The Lives of the Saints through 100 Masterpieces

Bridget of Sweden

The Lives of the Saints 60 Bridget of Sweden July 23 (October 8 in Sweden) Bridget is the patroness of Scandinavia, and even beyond, of all of northern Europe. She is also the protectress of pilgrims who today venture upon the same routes she took herself at the beginning of the thirteenth century. This mother of eight children and her husband, both of royal lineage, began their pilgrim wanderings by embarking on a voyage from Uppsala to Compostela. After being widowed, Bridget conceived of a new religious order and set off to Rome to obtain the pope’s approval for it. From there, she continued on to the Holy Land before returning to Rome, where she died. Saint Bridget’s heavenly visions, described in her Revelations, had great impact. Her reputation for sanctity was so well established that she was canonized in 1391, only 18 years after her death. With her canonization, the papacy—which had only recently returned to Rome—rendered homage to this great politician who had worked tirelessly for the return of the sovereign pontiff and his administration from Avignon and French influence to the See of Saint Peter in Rome. Giovannantonio di Francesco Sogliani (1492–1544) Saint Bridget of Sweden Cloister of San Salvi, Florence ...