Saint of the day · July 23
St Bridget of Sweden
Optional memorialThursday, week 16 in Ordinary Time
Liturgical colour : Green
St. Bridget of Sweden, a prominent 14th-century mystic and religious foundress, is honored today especially across Europe. Born into a wealthy Swedish family, Bridget was married and a mother of eight before embracing a life of deeper prayer after her husband's death. Drawing on her intense spiritual experiences, she became well known for her visions, which she communicated to both secular and ecclesiastical leaders. Bridget traveled through much of Europe, including to Rome, advocating for Church reform and renewal during a time of considerable political and ecclesiastical turbulence. She also founded the Order of the Most Holy Savior, commonly called the Bridgettines, which emphasized both contemplative life and charitable works. Her writings, particularly her 'Revelations,' were widely read and discuss both personal devotion and the need for reform in the Church. Recognized as one of the Patron Saints of Europe, St. Bridget's spirituality focused on the Passion of Christ, love of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and fidelity to the Church. Although some legendary elements have become attached to her story, her influence on Christian spirituality and reform remains significant. Today, the Church remembers her as a model of holiness, perseverance in prayer, advocacy for reform, and maternal care—qualities that continue to inspire the faithful.
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Local variations
- France — St Bridget, religious (Feast in Europe)
- Switzerland — St Bridget, religious (Feast in Europe)
- Belgium — St Bridget, religious (Feast in Europe)
- Luxembourg — St Bridget, religious (Feast in Europe)
The liturgical day
Mass readings
"They have forsaken me, the source of living water, and dug themselves cisterns" — Jr 2, 1-3.7-8.12-13
The word of the Lord was addressed to me:
Go, proclaim to the hearing of Jerusalem:
"Thus says the Lord:
I remember the tenderness of your youth,
your love as a young bride,
when you followed me in the desert,
in a barren land.
Israel was consecrated to the Lord,
the first fruits of his harvest;
whoever ate of it was guilty:
they would meet with disaster,
– oracle of the Lord.
I brought you into a fertile land
to feed you with its fruit.
But as soon as you entered, you profaned my land,
turned my inheritance into an abomination.
The priests did not ask:
"Where is the Lord?"
Those who handle the Law did not know me,
the shepherds rebelled against me;
the prophets prophesied in the name of Baal,
they followed gods that are useless.
O heavens, be appalled, horrified, and utterly desolate!
– oracle of the Lord.
Yes, my people have committed a double wrong:
they have forsaken me, the source of living water,
and dug themselves cisterns,
broken cisterns that cannot hold water!"
– The word of the Lord.
Ps 35, 6-7ab, 8-9, 10-11
In the heavens, Lord, your love;
to the clouds, your faithfulness!
Your justice, like the mighty mountains;
your judgments, the great deep!
How precious is your love, O my God!
In the shadow of your wings, you shelter people:
they feast on the abundance of your house;
you give them drink from the river of your delights.
With you is the fountain of life;
by your light we see the light.
Guard your love for those who know you,
your justice for the upright in heart.
"To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but to them it has not been given" — Mt 13, 10-17
At that time,
the disciples approached Jesus and said,
"Why do you speak to them in parables?"
He replied,
"To you it has been given to know
the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven,
but to them it has not been given.
To the one who has, more will be given,
and he will have abundance;
but from the one who does not have,
even what he has will be taken away.
The reason I speak to them in parables is
because they look but do not see,
they listen but do not hear or understand.
Thus the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled for them:
You will indeed hear but never understand.
You will indeed look but never see.
For this people's heart has grown dull:
they have become hard of hearing,
they have shut their eyes,
so that their eyes might not see,
their ears might not hear,
their heart might not understand,
and they would not turn,
–and I would heal them.
But blessed are your eyes because they see,
and your ears because they hear!
Truly, I say to you,
many prophets and righteous people
desired to see what you see,
and did not see it,
to hear what you hear,
and did not hear it."
– Let us acclaim the Word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org