Double Feast of Saint Bridget of Sweden, Widow

White Vestments

Missa "Cognovi, Domine"

    Saint Bridget (or Birgitta) of Sweden was born in 1303 in Finista. From childhood, the Lord granted her special graces, visions and an extraordinary understanding of divine mysteries. At age seven, she had a vision of the crucified Jesus in all the suffering and sorrow of his Passion, which enkindled within her a deep devotion for our Savior.

    The daughter of a provincial governor and judge, at age 13, Bridget married Ulf Gudmarsson, a prince, who was then eighteen; they lived happily together for twenty-eight years and had eight children, among them St. Catherine of Sweden. Bridget convinced her husband, by her own example, to live a life of piety and to strive for holiness.

    At age 32, Bridget became the lady in waiting to Queen Blanche of Namur and King Magnus II of Sweden. She was known for her charitable acts, especially caring for the sick, but the royalty appeared more content to admire her piety rather than to follow her example.

    After her youngest son died in 1340, she and her husband went on pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella. On the return trip, Ulf became quite ill, and they returned home soon afterwards. Upon their return, Ulf' entered the Cistercian monastery and died there at the age of 46. Bridget was a widow at age 41. She continued to live in the world, but became a member of the Third Order of St. Francis, spending much of her time in prayer and penance.

    Favored by Almighty God with wonderful visions and revelations, she founded the Religious Order of the Most Holy Savior. With her daughter Catherine, she made numerous pilgrimages to various sanctuaries in Italy and in Palestine. The secrets of Heaven were manifested to her in many revelations which are referred to in the Collect of the Mass. The volumes of accounts of her visions of biblical scenes, especially the nativity and the crucifixion, have greatly inspired imagery in Christian art and her devotions have inspired popular piety. She also exerted her influence in the cause of the Church's reform in the courts, episcopal palaces, the abbeys and even at the Holy See.

    St. Bridget's astonishing revelations documented carefully by her confessors, filled several volumes. In fact, Bridget’s visions became more frequent and intense and she began to wonder if they were from the devil; however, God assured her that they were not, but that she was to become His bride and His mouthpiece. It was His voice in her visions that dictated to her to found a new religious order, even specifying the details of the Rule for that order. She then founded The Order of the Most Holy Savior, or Bridgettines, which consisted of a double monastery for both men and women at Vadstena. King Magnus and his queen generously supported the monastery. Any surplus of money they received was given to the poor and used to provide books for study. Through Bridget, Christ reprimanded the popes for not returning to Rome from Avignon; but even calling Clement VI (1342-52) "a destroyer of souls, worse than Lucifer, more unjust than Pilate, and more merciless than Judas" failed to change his mind. She also delivered several messages to Popes Innocent VI, Urban V, and Gregory XI.

    Directed by God to go the Holy Land in 1371, Bridget set out on pilgrimage with her daughter, Catherine, two of her sons, and other pilgrims. Her son Charles died in Naples on the way there (after an affair with the notorious Queen Joanna), and they were nearly shipwrecked, but once they made it there, Bridget was blessed with extraordinary graces. In the Holy Land, she received detailed visions of episodes in the life of Jesus in the places where they were said to have occurred. She also admonished the people of Cyprus and Naples for their immoral ways, with little effect. She arrived back in Rome early already ill and died on July 23, 1373, at the age of 71. Her remains were taken back to the monastery at Sweden. She was canonized in 1391 Pope Boniface IX. It was, however, for her practical works of charity, that she was canonized, and not for her private revelations – which had some very harsh things to say about popes. She is the patron saint of: Sweden and widows. She is the co-patroness of Europe, along with St. Catherine of Siena.

    Resources: We are grateful to Friends of Our Lady of Fatima for providing the Propers for the faithful. Sources: Saint Andrew Daily Missal and the Marian Missal , 1945


Missa "Cognovi, Domine"

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INTROIT:    Psalm 118: 75, 120
    Cognovi, Domine, quia aaequitas judicia tua, et in veritate tua humiliasti me : confige timore tuo carnes meas, a mandates tuis timui. (Psalm 118) Beati immaculate in via : qui ambulant in lege Domini. V. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
    RepeatCognovi, Domine...
    I know, O Lord, that Thy judgments are equity, and in Thy truth Thou hast humbled me : pierce Thou my flesh with Thy fear, I am afraid of Thy judgments. (Psalm 118) Blessed are the undefiled in the way : who walk in the law of the Lord. v. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
    RepeatI know, O Lord...
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    COLLECT
    Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo.

    Oremus. Dómine, Deus noster, qui beátæ Brigíttæ per Fílium tuum unigénitum secréta coeléstia resti: sus pia intercessióne da nobia fámulis tuis; in revelatióne sempitérnæ glóriæ tuæ gaudére lætántes. Per eúmdem Dominum Jesum Christum, Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
    Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.

    The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit.

    Let us pray. O Lord, our God, Who through Thine only-begotten Son, didst reveal heavenly secrets to blessed Bridget, grant us, Thy servants, by her kind intercession, to rejoice and be glad in the revelation of Thine eternal glory. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
    Forever and ever.
    R.Amen.


    EPISTLE:   1 Timothy 5: 3-10
    Léctio Epístolæ beáti Pauli Apóstoli ad Timótheum. Carissime: Víduas honóra quæ vere vidum sunt. Si qua autem vídua fílios, aut nepótes habet, discat primum domum suam régere, et mútuam vicem réddere paréntibus: hoc enim accéptum est coram Deo. Quæ autem vere vidua est, et desoláta, speret in Deum, et instet obsecratiónibus, et oratiónibus nocte, ac die. Nam quæ in delícus est, vivens mórtua est. Et hoc præcipe, ut irreprehensíbiles sint. Si quis autem suórum, et máxime domesticórum curam non habet, fldem negávit, et est infidélí detérior. Vídua eligátur non minus sexagínta annórum, quæ fúerit unius vírí uxor, in opéribus bonis. testimónium habens, si fílios educávit, si hospítio recépit,, si sanctórum pedes lavit, si tribulatiónem patiéntibus subministrávit, si omne opus bonum subsecuta est.
    Deo Gratias.
    Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to Timothy. Dearly beloved: Honor widows, that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children, or grandchildren, let her learn first to govern her own house, and to make a return of duty to her parents: for this is acceptable before God. But she that is a widow indeed and desolate, let her trust in God, and continue in prayers and supplications night and day. For she that liveth in pleasures, is dead while she is living. And this give in charge, that they may be blameless. But if any man have not care of his own, and especially of those of his house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Let a widow be chosen of no less than threescore years of age, who hath been the wife of one husband, having testimony for her good works, if she have brought up children, if she have received to harbor, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have ministered to them that suffer tribulation, íf she have diligently followed every good work.
    Thanks be to God.

    GRADUAL:  
    Diffusa est gratia in labiis tuis: propterea benedixit te Deus in aeternum. V. Própter veritátem et mansuetúdinem, et justítiam: et dedúcet te mirabíliter déxtera tua. Allelúja, allelúja. V. (Ps. 44, 5)Spécie tua, et pulchritúdine tua inténde, próspere procéde, et regna. Allelúja.
    Grace is poured abroad in thy lips: therefore hath God blessed thee for ever. V. Because of truth, and meekness, and justice: and thy right hand shall conduct thee wonderfully. Alleluia, alleluia. V. (Ps. 44: 5) With thy comeliness, and thy beauty, set out, proceed prosperously, and reign. Alleluia. V.

    GOSPEL:   Luke 7: 11-16
    Dominus vobiscum.
    R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
    Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Lucam.
    R.Gloria tibi, Domine

    In illo tempore: Dixit Jesus, discípulis suis parábolam hanc: "Símile est regnum coelórum thesáuro abscóndito in agro: quem qui invénit homo, abscóndit, et præ gáudio illíus vadit, et vendit univérsa quæ habet, et emit agrum illum. Íterum símile est regnum coelórum hómini negotiatóri, quærénti bonas margaritas. Invénta autem una pretiósa margaríta, abiit, et véndidit ómnia quæ hábuit, et emit eam. Íterum símile est regnum coelórum sagénæ missæ in mare, et ex omni génere píscium congregánti. Quam, cum impléta esset, educéntes, et secus littus sedéntes, elegérunt bonos in vasa, malos autem foras misérunt. Sic erit in consummatióne sæculi: exíbunt Ángeli, et separábunt malos de médio justórum, et mittent eos in camínum ignis: ibi erit fletus, et stridor déntium. Intellexístis hæc omnia?" Dicunt ei: Étiam. Ait illis:" Ideo omnis scriba doctus in regno coelórum, similis est hómini patrifamílias, qui profert de thesáuro suo nova et vétera."
    Laus tibi Christe.

    The Lord be with you.
    R. And with thy spirit.
    The continuation of the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
    R. Glory to Thee, O Lord

    At that time, Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples: "The kingdom of Heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in a field; which a man having found, hid it, and for joy thereof goeth, and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like to a merchant seeking good pearls. Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went his way and sold all that he had, and bought it. Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like to a net cast into the sea, and gathering together of all kinds of fishes; which, when it was filled, they drew out, and sitting by the shore, they chose out the good into vessels, but the bad they cast forth. So shall it be at the end of the world.The angels shall go out, and shall separate the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Have ye understood all these things?" They say to Him, Yes. He said unto them, "Therefore every scribe instructed in the kingdom of Heaven, is like to a man who is a householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure new things and old."
    Praise be to Christ


    OFFERTORY:   Psalm 44: 3
    Dominus vobiscum.
    R. Et cum spiritu tuo.

    Diffusa est gratia in labiis tuis : propterea benedixit te Deus in aeternum, et in saeculum saeculi.
    The Lord be with you.
    R. And with thy spirit.

    Grace is poured abroad in thy lips : therefore God hath blessed thee for ever and for ages of ages.
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    SECRET
    Accépta tibi sit, Dómine, sacrátæ plebis oblátio pro tuórum se méritis, de tribulatióne percepísse cognóscit auxílium. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
    Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.
    May the offerings of thy holy people be accepted by Thee, O Lord, in honor of Thy saints, through whose merits they know that they have received aid in time of trouble. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
    Forever and ever.
    R.Amen.

    PREFACE   Common Preface
    Dominus vobiscum.
    R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
    Sursum corda.
    R.Habemus ad Dominum.
    Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
    R. Dignum et justum est.

    Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos Tibi simper, et ubique gratias agere: Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus: per Christum Dominum nostrum. Per quem majestatem Tuam laudant Angeli, adorant Dominationes, tremunt Potestates, Coeli, Coelorumque Virtutes, ac beata Seraphim socia exultatione concelebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces, ut admitti, jubeas, supplici confessione dicentes:
    SANCTUS, SANCTUS, SANCTUS...
    The Lord be with you.
    R. And with thy spirit.
    Lift up your hearts.
    R.We have lifted them up to the Lord.
    Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
    R. It is meet and just.

    It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation that we should at all times and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God: through Christ our Lord. Through Whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, the Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the Heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with them we entreat Thee, that Thou mayest bid our voices also to be admitted, while we say in lowly praise:
    HOLY, HOLY, HOLY...

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    COMMUNION:    Psalm 44: 8
    Dilexisti justitiam, et odisti iniquitatem : propterea unxit te Deus, Deus tuus, oleo Jaetitiae prae consortibus tuis. Alleluja.
    Thou hast loved injustice and hated iniquity : therefore God thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Alleluia.

    POSTCOMMUNION
    Dominus vobiscum.
    R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
    Oremus.
    Satiásti, Dómine, famíliam tuam munéribus sacris: ejus, quæsumus, semper interventióne nos refóve, cujus solémnia celebrámus. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
    Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.

    The Lord be with you.
    R. And with thy spirit.
    Let us pray.
    Thou hast filled Thy household, O Lord, with sacred gifts; ever comfort us, we beseech Thee, by the intercession of the saint whose festival we celebrate. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
    For ever and ever.
    R. Amen.
    Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS CONCLUSION OF THE HOLY MASS



    Feast of St. Bridget of Sweden