St Bridget of Sweden

     She was married at 13 years of age. She had eight children, one of whom became a Saint. Saint Catherine of Sweden. She was a High Royal Court server and her greatest delight was serving the poor. She founded the "Order of the Most Holy Savior", the Bridgettines. She was an author, with volumes of recorded Heavenly visions and Revelations centered on Christ's Passion. 

     So much done in the life of this sweet Saint. From the age of 10 to the completion of her Holy life, at the age of 70. This woman achieved more than one does in a third of a lifetime. She once asked who hurt Him during a vision of the Passion, Jesus replied, " those who despise me and refuse my Love for them". Our suffering Jesus not only endured physical suffering, but it seems, the mental suffering was much more painful. How can one not Love our Lord and believe in His ways? I think, with learning about these wonderful Saints, we can come to the conclusion, that loving God with our whole might and our whole heart is our shield to whatever pain or sorrow God intends or allows us to feel. A Shield of Love. Stronger than any man-made steel. We are equipped with this shield, all of us. All we have to do is believe. We lay down our lives this time, lives that we're so generously given to us, to receive new life in our Creator. 

     So many examples of Bravery and Trust in sweet surrender to Jesus, our God. Not for passing reading do we read these stories, but to learn and follow their heroic example. The multitude of Saints strengthen our efforts and stand beside us in our quest for Heaven. 

     St Bridget of Sweden is one of those great Saints. We throw away our old selves to be born into a new self. The new self-enriched in the Honor and Glory of serving the One True God. Our taste of Heaven on Earth. 

     St Bridget of Sweden, pray for us!