St.Bridget of Sweden..

St.Briget of Sweden, born as Birgitta Birgersdotter on 23rd July, 1303. Bridget received visions of Christ's suffering many times throughout her life, and went on to found the Order of the Most Holy Savior.

She was the daughter of Birger Persson, the governor and provincial judge of Uppland, and of Ingeborg Bengtsdotter, who were devout in their Christian faith, and because of this Bridget was brought up with an excellent religious education. From the time she was a child, she was greatly devoted to the passion of Jesus.

When she was only ten, she had a vision of Jesus scourged and hanging on the cross and heard him say, "Look at me, my daughter." In sorrow, she asked him who had treated him like this.

Jesus answered, "Those who despise me and refuse my love for them." From that moment on, Bridget tried to stop people from offending Jesus.

When she was 14, Bridget married an 18-year old man named Ulf. Like Bridget, Ulf had set his heart on serving God. They had eight children, of whom her second daughter was St. Catherine of Sweden. Bridgitta and Ulf also served the Swedish court, Bridgitta served as the personal maid to the Queen of Sweden. Bridget tried to help King Magnus and Queen Blanche lead better lives, however for the most part, they did not listen to her.

All her life, Bridget had marvelous visions and received special messages from God. In obedience to them, she visited many rulers and important people in the Church. She explained humbly what God expected of them.

After her husband died, Bridget put away her rich clothes and lived as a poor nun. Later, in 1346, she began the order of the Most Holy Savior, also known as Bridgettines. She still kept up her own busy life, traveling about doing good everywhere she went. And through all this activity, Jesus continued to reveal many secrets to her, which she received without the least bit of pride.

Shortly before she died, Bridget went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. At the shrines there, she had visions of what Jesus had said and done in each place.

All of Bridget's revelations on the sufferings of Jesus were published after her death.

Bridget died in Rome on July 23, 1373. She was proclaimed a Saint by Pope Boniface IX in 1391.

Out of her immense love for Christ's Passion, which she had since childhood, St.Bridget prayed for a long time sincerely wanting to know how many wounds Jesus had suffered during His terrible Passion. Rewarding her patience, one day while St.Bridget was praying in the Church of St.Paul in Rome, Jesus appeared to her and said, "I received 5480 Wounds upon My Body. If you wish to honor them in some way, recite fifteen Our Fathers and fifteen Hail Marys' with the following Prayers, which I Myself shall teach you. Do this each day for an entire year. When the year is finished, you will have honored each of My Wounds."

Magnificent Prayers

 Among the popular devotions of the Catholic faithful are the 15 prayers, also known as  "Magnificent Prayers” of St. Bridget of Sweden, to be prayed uninterruptedly each day for an entire year. 

These fifteen prayers focus on the Sacred Passion of Jesus, and offer an excellent way for mediation especially on Fridays and during the season of Lent.