S

t. Bridget of Sweden

& her daughter, St. Catherine

 

This time we’re discussing an amazing Swedish mother and daughter team of writer/saints, St. Bridget of Sweden, feast day July 23rd, and her daughter St. Catherine, abbess of Vadstena, the religious house her mother founded. 

Born in 1303,  Bridget was reported to have had visions as early as seven. That didn’t stop her from being married at thirteen.  Catherine, Bridget’s daughter, was born in 1331 or 1332.  She, too, was married at thirteen.  A literate woman, Bridget visions were translated into Latin.  Catherine was also a writer. She wrote a devotional work entitled "Consolation of the Soul".  Unlike Bridget, no copy of Catherine’s work exists today.

Bridget and Catherine weren’t the only saints in their family; St. Ingrid was Bridget’s aunt and Catherine’s great aunt.  Something in the DNA?