SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 23RD

MEMORIAL OF SAINT BRIDGET OF SWEDEN, RELIGIOUS AND SAINT LIBORIUS, BISHOP ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 23RD: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Bridget of Sweden, Religious and Saint Liborius, Bishop. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for widows, the sick and dying, especially those with gallstones and those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. We pray for those going through difficulties especially during these challenging times, for the poor and the needy, for peace, love and unity in our families and our world. And we continue to pray for the Church, the Clergy, for persecuted christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world.🙏

SAINT BRIDGET OF SWEDEN, RELIGIOUS: St. Bridget (1303-1373) was born in Sweden in 1303 of noble and pious parents, was the daughter of Birger Persson, the governor and provincial judge of Uppland, and of Ingeborg Bengtsdotter, a descendant of the Gothic Kings and led a most holy life. From the time she was a child, she was greatly devoted to the passion of Jesus. While she was yet unborn, her mother was saved from shipwreck for her sake. At ten years of age, Bridget heard a sermon on the Passion of our Lord; and the next night she saw Jesus on the cross, covered with fresh blood, and speaking to her about his Passion. In her vision of Jesus on the cross, she heard Him say, “Look at me, my daughter.” “Who has treated you like this?” cried little Bridget. Jesus answered, “Those who despise me and refuse my love for them.” From that moment on, Bridget tried to stop people from offending Jesus. Thenceforward meditation on that subject affected her to such a degree, that she could never think of our Lord’s sufferings without tears. At the age of sixteen, St. Bridget was given in marriage to Ulfo prince of Nericia and lived happily with him for 28 years, bearing him eight children. St. Catherine of Sweden was their daughter. She won her husband, by example and persuasion, to a life of piety. She devoted herself with maternal love to the education of her children. She was most zealous in serving the poor, especially the sick; and set apart a house for their reception, where she would often wash and kiss their feet.

Later the holy couple bound themselves by a vow of chastity and made a pilgrimage to Compostela in Galicia, to visit the tomb of the apostle St. James. On their return journey, Ulfo fell dangerously ill at Arras; but St. Dionysius, appearing to St. Bridget at night, foretold the restoration of her husband’s health, and other future events. Ulfo became a Cistercian monk, but died soon afterwards. After his death St. Bridget renounced her rank of princess and changed her habit. Whereupon St. Bridget, having heard the voice of Christ calling her in a dream, embraced a more austere manner of life. Many secrets were then revealed to her by God. St. Bridget founded the Order of the Most Holy Savior (Bridgettines) at Vadstena in 1346 under the rule of our Savior, which was given her by our Lord Himself. It received confirmation by Pope Urban V in 1370, and survives today. The new branch of the order was refounded by Blessed Elisabeth Hesselblad and has grown substantially, around the world. At the Lord’s command, she went to Rome, where she kindled the love of God in very many hearts. She made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem; but on her return to Rome she was attacked by fever, and suffered severely from sickness during a whole year. On the day she had foretold, she passed to heaven, laden with merits. St. Bridget died of natural causes in Rome on July 23, 1373 at the age of seventy-one. She was canonized by Pope Boniface IX in 1391, less than twenty years after her death. In 1999, Pope John Paul II made her a co-patroness of Europe, alongside Saint Catherine of Siena and Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. She’s Patron Saint of Europe; Sweden; widows.

“True wisdom, then, consists in works, not in great talents, which the world admires; for the wise in the world’s estimation . . . are the foolish who set at naught the will of God, and know not how to control their passions.” –Saint Bridget of Sweden.

PRAYER: Lord God, You revealed heavenly secrets to St. Bridget as she meditated on the Passion of Your Son. Grant that we Your servants may attain the joyful contemplation of Your glory. Amen 🙏

SAINT LIBORIUS, BISHOP: St.Liborius was born of an illustrious family of Gaul (a region in the Roman Empire which extended to the area on the west bank of the Rhine river of the present day Germany), and became Bishop of Le Mans, France. He played a leading part in spreading Christianity in Gaul at the end of the fourth century. He was a trusty companion to St. Marinus (Martin of Tours). They were both bishops, neighbors in office. St. Liborius was bishop for about 49 years and ordained 217 priests, 186 deacons and 93 sub deacons and other churchmen.

Bishop Liborius built many churches and celebrated the Eucharist with piety and dignity. He is said to have healed sufferers from “gravel and allied complaints” and for this reason his feast was introduced by Pope Clement XI, himself a victim who was cured by the saint’s intercession. He is said to have died on July 23, 397 A.D. with Bishop Martin at his side. Miracles are said to have to occurred at his tomb. The popularity of the saint in Paderborn is shown in the week-long yearly festival that begins on the Saturday after his 23 July feast day. This festival is known as Libori. He’s the Patron Saint of peace and understanding among peoples. He is invoked against colic, calculi, fever, and gallstones. Paderborn Cathedral, Germany; Le Mans, France.

Saint Liborius, Bishop ~ Pray for us 🙏