St. Catherine of Sweden

St. Catherine of Sweden, born around 1330, was the daughter of the famous St. Bridget (Birgitta) of Sweden. From an early age, Catherine was raised in a household of deep faith and devotion, learning from her saintly mother the importance of prayer, charity, and spiritual discipline.

Catherine was a married woman who, together with her husband, took a vow of continence, dedicating their lives to God while remaining in the married state. This unusual arrangement demonstrated their mutual commitment to spiritual growth and their desire to serve God with undivided hearts.

In 1348, Catherine went to Rome where her mother had gone after the death of Catherine's father. Shortly after her arrival in Rome, Catherine's husband died, leaving her free to devote herself entirely to a life of prayer and service alongside her mother.

For the next twenty-five years, the two women used Rome as their base for pilgrimages to various holy places, including Jerusalem. These pilgrimages were not merely religious tourism but profound spiritual journeys that deepened their faith and allowed them to experience the sacred sites of Christianity firsthand.

When not on pilgrimage, Catherine and her mother spent their days in prayer and meditation, and in working with the poor and instructing them in religion. This seemingly quiet life was not without perils and adventures. Dissolute young lords repeatedly sought to seduce the Swedish princess, but God's providence unfailingly thwarted their efforts, protecting her purity and virtue.

After their trip to Jerusalem, St. Bridget died, and Catherine took her mother's body back to Sweden, burying it at Vadstena in the convent of the Order of the Holy Savior, which Bridget had founded. This act of filial piety demonstrated Catherine's deep love and respect for her mother's spiritual legacy.

Catherine became the superior of the order her mother had founded, leading the community with wisdom and charity. She died on March 24, 1381, mourned like her mother by the whole of Sweden, leaving behind a legacy of purity, charity, and devotion to God.

Liturgical Celebration

The feast of St. Catherine of Sweden is celebrated on March 24th, the date of her death in 1381. This memorial honors her virginity, her charity, and her dedication to God's service throughout her life.

Swedish Devotion

St. Catherine is particularly venerated in Sweden, where she and her mother, St. Bridget, are among the most beloved saints. Their legacy continues to inspire Swedish Catholics and Christians around the world.

Devotional Practices

On her feast day, Catholics pray for her intercession, especially for purity of heart, for those on pilgrimage, for the poor and needy, and for the strengthening of family bonds in faith.