St. Bridget of Sweden

St. Bridget of Sweden was born in 1302 or 1303 in Uppsala, Sweden. When she was 7 years old, she began having visions of the crucifixion. When she was 13 she married Prince Ulfo of Nercia and had eight children, including St. Catherine of Sweden. When her husband died in 1344, she went on a pilgrimage and decided to live a religious life. She became a Franciscan tertiary and a Cistercian. She founded the Order of the Most Holy Savior (Bridgettines) in 1346. She counseled three popes, Clement VI, Urban VI and Gregory XI. She encouraged each of the three popes to leave Avignon and return to Rome. She died in 1373. St. Bridget is patron saint of Sweden and widows.