Martin Luther nicknamed St. Bridget of Sweden “that crazy Bridget.” Sadly, King Henry VIII, Martin Luther, and the other forces of the Protestant Reformation suppressed and destroyed most of the Bridgettine religious houses in Europe.
While this is a sad event for any religious order, it is particularly tragic considering that the Brigittines are incredibly special in one way: Christ wrote their religious rule.
The Bridgettines, also known as the Order of the Most Holy Savior, were formed by St. Bridget of Sweden, a mystic whose visions revealed much about purgatory and Our Lord’s Passion.
St. Bridget’s life is unusual in many ways. Although she would later become a nun and found her own order, St. Bridget was also a wife and the mother of eight children. When her children were grown and her husband passed away, she was given permission to enter religious life.
St. Bridget received many visions throughout her life. Her suffering united her closely to Our Lord. In this intimate friendship, Our Lord revealed much about His own suffering to St. Bridget and helped with her order by dictating the rule to her verbatim.
This rule includes directions for the Bridgettines to be deeply devoted to Christ’s suffering. The motto of the Bridgettines is Amor Meus Crucifixus Est (My Love is Crucified).
St. Bridget’s revelations, particularly about the Passion of Christ, can help ignite a new devotion in your heart to our crucified Lord. Add to your Catholic library and immerse yourself in the words of Christ by reading The Revelations of St. Bridget. Order your copy of this spiritual classic today from The Catholic Company!
