July 23 2025 - St. Bridget of Sweden - Union with the Cross and Abundance of Life

 

The Opening Prayer mentions how God guided Saint Bridget of Sweden “along different paths of life.”  Bridget was a wife, a mother, a lady-in-waiting in the royal court, a mystic, a third Order Franciscan, and finally a foundress of a religious order.  

At ten years of age young Bridget had a mystic vision of Jesus on the cross, covered with fresh blood and speaking to her about his Passion.  She received many such revelations which fill 8 volumes. 

Through all those different paths of life, she sought to unite herself ever more closely to the suffering Christ.

She and her husband, the Prince of Sweden, had 8 children, for whom she set the powerful Christian example of faith and charity. After her husband’s death, she renounced her wealth and joined the Franciscans, at a monastery which she and her husband had built. 

In 1999, Pope John Paul II declared St. Bridget a Co-Patroness of Europe, along with Saint Catherine of Siena and Saint Theresa Benedicta of the Cross.

In his declaration naming Bridget a Co-Patroness of Europe, the Pope said, that Bridget of Sweden is not just a model for those in consecrated religious life, but especially for married people—that those who have “the high and demanding vocation of forming a Christian family will feel that she is close to them.”  

The Pope emphasized how “she and her husband enjoyed a married life in which conjugal love was joined to intense prayer, the study of Sacred Scripture, mortification and charitable works. Together they founded a small hospital, where they often attended the sick. Bridget was in the habit of serving the poor personally. At the same time, she was appreciated for her gifts as a teacher”

We see in the Saints what life is supposed to look like.  The Lord guides us along many different paths and desires to teach us, like St. Bridget, the wisdom of the cross: that fulfillment in this life is found, not in wealth and possessions and making a name for ourselves, but seeking the Lord’s will in all things, particularly in accepting the cross for the sake of the kingdom.

There is a famous mosaic in the ancient basilica of St. Clement in Rome of the crucified Christ, and from the cross come an abundance of vines and branches, spoken of in our gospel today. When we are united to Christ, there is an abundance of life. Just like we see in saints like St. Bridget, union with Christ brings life in the spirit, an abundance of spiritual gifts and good works which are to be used for the building up of the church, for the spread of the Gospel, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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That members of the Church, priests, religious, married, and single, may seek the kingdom of God His and righteousness and the Divine Will above all.

For an increase in vocations to the religious life, for the spiritual good of the Bridgettine Order, for third Order Franciscans, and that consecrated religious may continue to bless the Church by their faithful living of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

Through the intercession of St. Bridget, co-patroness of Europe, for the conversion of the people of Europe from all that keeps them from following Christ.

That the sick, suffering, and sorrowful may know the consolation and peace of the living God.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for N. for whom this mass is offered.

Hear Our Prayers, O Lord, and through the intercession of St. Bridget of Sweden, help us, as we walk the many paths of life, to serve you in all things and come to the eternal kingdom of heaven. Through Christ. Our Lord.

July 13 2020 - St. Henry - Holy Roman Emperor and Husband

When most people hear the name King Henry, they probably think of King Henry VIII, who ruled in England in the 1500s and brought about a break with the Roman Catholic Church. 

The King Henry who we honor today wasn’t King of England at all. Rather, he was crowned King of Germany on July 9, 1002 and 12 years later was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Benedict VIII. 

One of the great goals of Henry’s reign was to establish a stable peace in Europe.  He knew that the Gospel of Christ was indispensable for society, and he devoted himself to the spread of Christianity by rebuilding churches. He promoted monastic reform where needed, believing monasteries to be indispensable centers of prayer and focal points for the civilization of people.  He himself was a Benedictine Oblate.

Though wealthy, he had a great concern for the poor of his lands.  He saw material possessions as blessings from God meant to help others.  And it was his custom to undertake nothing without prayer and often saw angels and martyrs guiding him—protecting him and his army who guarded his lands from the encroaching barbarian hoards. 

When Saint Henry was not ruling over his empire and leading his army to stabilize Europe, he was cultivating a holy marriage with his wife.  He and his wife St. Cunegunda are among the dozen or so pairs of married canonized saints.

Here is a man who balanced his earthly responsibilities with this Christian vocation, and his vocation as husband. If a Holy Roman Emperor can do it, so can we.  St. Henry shows us that holiness is possible when we strive to give glory to God whether as a king or farmer, priest or monk or husband or wife.

He used the time he had and his social position to spread the kingdom of God; he put his time, talent, and treasure to build up and preserve what was good, to guard his realm against those powers which tear down what is holy.  May St. Henry’s prayers help us to do the same for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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Through the intercession of Saint Henry, we pray for all rulers of nations and those in governance, may they use their temporal power to build up, promote, and protect what is good and holy.

That our young people on summer vacation may be kept safe from the poisonous errors of our culture, and that their families may be places where the faith is practiced and cherished.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased priests and religious, and for N. for whom this mass is offered.

Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer they may receive by your mercy. Through Christ our Lord.