Bridget of Sweden
Bridget of Sweden, OSsS (ca 1304 – 23 July 1373), also known as Birgitta Birgersdotter and Birgitta of Vadstena, was a Swedish Catholic mystic and the founder of the Bridgettines. Outside Sweden, she was also known as the Princess of Nericia. She was the mother of Catherine of Vadstena.
Bridget is one of the six patron saints of Europe, together with Benedict of Nursia, Cyril and Methodius, Catherine of Siena and Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.
Quotes
[edit]- O Signore, vieni presto ed illumina la notte! | A te anelo come i moribondi anelano a te. | Dì all'anima mia, che niente succeda | senza che tu lo permetta, | e che nulla di quello che tu permetti | sia senza conforto. || O Gesù, Figlio di Dio, | tu che tacevi in presenza dei tuoi accusatori, | frena la mia lingua | finché avrò trovato quello che dovrò dire e come dirlo. || Mostrami la via e disponimi a seguirla. | Pericoloso è indugiare e rischioso proseguire. | Rispondi alla mia supplica e mostrami la via. | Vengo a te come il ferito va dal medico in cerca di aiuto. | Dona, o Signore, pace al mio cuore!
- "O Lord, come quickly and light the night! | I long for you as the dying long for you. | Tell my soul that nothing happens | without your allowing it, | and that nothing you allow | is without comfort. || O Jesus, Son of God, | you who were silent in the presence of your accusers, | hold back my tongue | until I find what I must say and how to say it. || Show me the way and arrange to follow it. | It is dangerous to linger and risky to continue. | Answer my plea and show me the way. | I come to you as the wounded man goes to the doctor for help. | Give, O Lord, peace to my heart!"
- Quoted in Preghiera di Santa Brigida, Brigidine.org.
Meditations'
[edit]- Marcello Stanzione, Una meditazione al giorno con la "mistica del nord". Copatrona d'Europa, editore Piero Gribaudi Srl, 2014. ISBN 978-88-6366-157-6
- Our Lady said to Bridget: "To reach the heart of God there are two paths: the first is the humility of sincere contrition, which leads and introduces man into the heart of God and into spiritual conversations. The second is the consideration of the Passion of my Son, who overcomes the insensitivity of the human heart and makes it run with joy towards the heart of God ("Book VI, 101"). (p. 60)
- The apostles were pure and empty vessels; therefore the Holy Spirit came upon them and filled them with Himself. He came like a torrent, because He filled them with His sweetness and His divine consolation. It came like fire, because it so inflamed their hearts with fervor for divine love, that they loved and feared none but God. It came in the form of tongues; for just as the Holy Spirit, being in their souls, moved them not to desire anyone but Him, so divine wisdom made them eloquent and the virtue of the Holy Spirit, performing the task of every tongue, spoke the truth. Since these vessels were empty and desired God above all things, they were worthy of receiving the Holy Spirit because he does not enter into someone who is already full and full ("Book VI, 36"). (p. 61)
- The soul of the Virgin, as soon as it was separated from the body, was raised by God wonderfully above all the heavens and had dominion over the whole world. God made her Queen of Heaven for Eternity. From then on, the Angels became so obedient to the Virgin that they would endure just everything, even the pains of Hell, rather than not observing her commands. God made the Virgin so powerful over evil spirits, that every man possessed by them was immediately freed if he implored her with a sincere heart. ("Saturday Sermo angelicus", chap. XX, "Second Saturday Lesson"; p. 117).
Attributed
[edit]- The Roman Curia does not want woolless sheep: it listens to those who give, to those who do not give the greenhouse the door in their faces.
- Quoted in Giuseppe Fumagalli, Chi l'ha detto?, Hoepli, 1921, p. 438.
