Background
She was born in 1303 in Uppland, Sweden. Bridget was the daughter of Birger Person, governor of Uppland, who was one of Sweden's most remarkable men.
She was born in 1303 in Uppland, Sweden. Bridget was the daughter of Birger Person, governor of Uppland, who was one of Sweden's most remarkable men.
Birgitta became a member of the Third Order of St. Francis
It was to include 60 nuns and 25 monks, both communities to be strictly enclosed in their own separate cloisters.
An estate at Vadstena was given for the new monastery by King Magnus Eriksson of Sweden, and building was begun.
Bridget and her companions found a house in Rome; for approximately 18 years she waited, sending God's messages of warning, and pleading for the return from Avignon to Rome of the Holy
She spent her time helping poor pilgrims and sheltering the homeless and those who had fallen into sin.
Urban V, a Benedictine abbot, was elected pope in 1362, and finally came to Rome, only to give up his attempt to restore order in 1370.
He returned to France and died there, but Bridget had received from him the leave to found her order, known as the Bridgettine order.
In 1372 she made a notable pilgrimage to the Holy Land, returning to Rome the following year.
Her bones were taken back to Sweden and buried in the temporary church of the future monastery.
After thie death of her husband, Birgitta became a member of the Third Order of St. Francis and devoted herself wholly to a life of prayer and caring for the poor and the sick.
Quotations: Bridget went to confession every day, and had a constant smiling face.
At 13 years of age she was married, much against her will but in obedience to her father, to Ulf Gudmarsson; the marriage was a happy one.
She was a noblewoman at court and the mother of eight children, four daughters and four sons. Six survived infancy, which was rare at that time.