Saint Bridget of Sweden: c. 1303–1373
July 23

Saint Bridget was born to one of the wealthiest landowners in all of Sweden. In fact, her family was related to the king. Her parents made sure that she was taught religion. By the time she was seven, she was known to have religious dreams, or visions, of Jesus and the Holy Family. For an entire year, she prayed fifteen Our Fathers and fifteen Hail Marys every day, along with other prayers Jesus taught her.

Discuss: Tell about a time when you waited for God to answer a prayer.

Saint Bridget was born to one of the wealthiest landowners in all of Sweden. In fact, her family was related to the king. Her parents made sure that she was taught religion. By the time she was seven, she was known to have religious dreams, or visions, of Jesus and the Holy Family. For an entire year, she prayed fifteen Our Fathers and fifteen Hail Marys every day, along with other prayers Jesus taught her.

Saint Bridget is a patron of Europe. She made pilgrimages to several shrines in Europe, alone and with her husband. She founded a monastery in Wadstena, Sweden, and the Order of the Most Holy Trinity, also called the Brigittines. She died in Rome after a pilgrimage the year before to the Holy Land. One of her eight children was Saint Catherine of Sweden.

Activity
The Hail Mary
Multiple Intelligence: Verbal/Linguistic

Review the Hail Mary with the child. If they are not familiar with the prayer, it may help to have them repeat each line of the prayer after you. Help the child understand that we honor Mary when we pray the Hail Mary.