St. Bridget Of Sweden

Born to a noble and wealthy family, St.Bridget was a deeply pious child who was raised to love her Catholic faith. She began to experience mystical visions around the age of 7. Married at the tender age of 13 to one Ulf Gudmarssen the young couple went on to have a very happy marriage which produced 8 children among the St Catherine of Sweden.

The Saintly life and her generous nature soon spread far and wide and St.Bridget was known to help the many poor and needy who live in the area.

She was well acquainted with many of the learned theologians of the time with whom she would sit and debate faith matters. Later she was at the court of King Magnus over whom she would gradually acquire great influence.

In early 1341 she and Ulf took a pilgrimage to Santiago De Compeostella. Their return journey was fraught with complications as Ulf became very unwell. Having sufficiently regained his strength they made it home but it was not to long after in1344 that he died.

Now finding herself a widow Bridget devoted herself entirely to religious practices. The visions she had had as a child now became more frequent and she was sure she  was witnessing Christ. She began to write down her revelations.

Bridget went on to found the Brigittine order whose main monastery was in Vadstena. In 1249 she travelled to Rome where she remained until her death in 1391.

What I love about St. Bridget was that she sounded like many of the young sassy Catholic women I know today. Beautiful women who are not afraid to talk about their faith and love for Jesus. Bridget was not above berating the rich  aristocracy for their excesses and she was bold enough to tell Pope Urban to move the Holy See from Avignon back to Rome. It just goes to show she moved in some pretty important circles. So if you are looking for a Saint for your daughters to emulate then you won't go to far wrong in teaching them about St. Bridget.

What better way to celebrate St. Bridget's feast day (after going to mass and receiving Jesus,
obviously!!) than to cook some Swedish meatballs for tea!

You will need; 400g Lean pork mince.
1 egg beaten,
1onion chopped,and gently fried until soft.
85gfresh white breadcrumbs,
1tsp ground allspice
1tbsp finely chopped dill,
Salt and pepper
1tbsp each olive oil and butter,
2tbsp plain flour,
400 miles hot beef stock(stock cube is fine).
1/2 cup of sour cream.

1. In a bowl, mix the mince with the egg, onion, breadcrumbs, dill and seasoning. Form into small meatballs about the size of walnuts – you should get about 20.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick frying pan and brown the meatballs. You may have to do this in 2 batches. Remove from pan, melt the butter, then sprinkle over the flour and stir well. Cook for 2 mins, then slowly whisk in the stock. Keep whisking until it is a thick gravy,  stir in the sour cream then return the meatballs to the pan and heat through. Sprinkle with dill and serve with cranberry jelly, greens and mash or on top of pasta.