From "The Liturgical Year" - by Dom Gueranger, OSB....
"Bridget was born in Sweden of noble and pious parents. At ten years of age, Bridget heard a sermon on the Passion of our Lord; and the next night she saw Jesus on the cross, covered with fresh blood, and speaking to her about his Passion. Thenceforward meditation on that subject affected her to such a degree, that she could never think of our Lord's sufferings without tears. She was given in marriage to Ulfo prince of Nericia, and devoted herself to the education of her children. She was most zealous in serving the poor, especially the sick;and set apart a house for their reception, where she would often wash and kiss their feet.
Together with her husband, she went on pilgrimage to Compostella, to visit the tomb of the apostle St. James. On their return journey, Ulfo fell dangerously ill at Arras; but St. Dionysius, appearing to Bridget at night, foretold the restoration of her husband's health, and other future events. Ulfo became a Cistercian monk, but died soon afterwards. Whereupon Bridget, having heard the voice of Christ calling her in a dream, embraced a more austere manner of life. Many secrets were then revealed to her by God.She founded the monastery of Vadstena under the rule of our Saviour, which was given her by our Lord himself. At his command, she went to Rome, where she kindled the love of God in very many hearts.
She made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem; but on her return to Rome she was attacked by fever, and suffered severely from sickness during a whole year. On the day she had foretold, she passed to heaven, laden with merits." A PRAYER OF ST. BRIDGET
O Sweet Jesus! Pierce my heart so that my tears of penitence and love will be my bread day and might;
may I be converted entirely to Thee, may my heart be Thy perpetual habitation, may my conversation be pleasing to Thee, and may the end of my life be so praiseworthy that I may merit Heaven and there with Thy saints, praise Thee forever.
O God, who guided Saint Bridget of Sweden along different paths of life and wondrously taught her the wisdom of the Cross as she contemplated the Passion of your Son; grant us, we pray, that, walking worthily in our vocation, we may seek you in all things.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
PRAYER OF ST. BRIDGET OF SWEDEN
O Lord, make haste and illumine the night. I long for You as the dying long for You. Say to my soul that nothing happens without Your permitting it,
and that nothing of what You permit is without comfort. O Jesus, Son of God, You who were silent in the presence of Your accusers restrain my tongue until I find what I should say and how to say it. Show me the way and make me ready to follow it. It is dangerous to delay, yet perilous to go forward.
Answer my petition and show me the way. I come to You as the wounded go to the doctor in search of aid.
Give peace O Lord to my heart!
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