Saint Bridget

Saint Bridget (1303-1373) was a theologian, a visionary and a mother figure. She was one of the greatest religious personages of her time and a strong political influence. Saint Bridget was the first woman from Sweden-Finland known throughout Europe and became the only female saint of the Nordic Countries.
Birgitta Birgersdotter, Saint Bridget, was a Swedish aristocrat and mother of eight who, a widow at the age of 41, devoted herself to religious life. She moved to Rome where she lived in prayer and worked with the poor and the sick. Birgitta founded a monastic association bearing her name. During the Middle Ages, the Brigittine order had a significant influence on spiritual and cultural life in the Nordic Countries. In Finland, the Brigittine monastery of Naantali, founded in 1438, was the first institution to educate women. Birgitta wrote about being a woman: “in order to be able to be a Mary, a woman must first be a Martha.” The long history of Finland as part of Europe is reflected in the story ofthe Nordic Countries’ own patron saint. The 500 years of Catholicism which began with the Crusades have since the Reformation been followed by 500 years of Lutheranism. The ecumenical role of Saint Bridget as a bond between Christians was strengthened in1999 when the Pope declared her the Patron Saint of Europe. Jewellery designer Kirsti Doukas designed a ring and a pendant inset with five red garnets forming the sign of Saint Bridget to celebrate the saint’s 700th