Saint Catherine of Sweden
Also known as
• Catherine Vastanensis
• Catherine of Vadstena
• Katarina...
Profile
Fourth of the eight children of Saint Bridget of Sweden and Ulf Gudmarsson. Educated at the convent of Riseberg. Married by arrangement at age 13 to the pious German noble Eggart von Kürnen. Soon after their marriage, both she and her husband took vows of chastity and continence. Travelled to Rome, Italy in c.1350 to be with her mother. Widowed soon after.
For the next 25 years the two women used Rome as a base for a series of pilgrimages, including one to Jerusalem. When home, they spent their days in prayer and meditation, working with the poor, and teaching them religion. They each had to fend off the unwanted advances of local men, including young lords; during one of these, a wild hind came to Catherine's defense, chasing off the troublesome, would-be suitor.
When Bridget died, Catherine took her body back to Sweden, burying it at the convent of the Order of the Holy Savior (Brigittines) at Vadstena. Catherine became superior of the Order, and served as abbess. Wrote a devotional work entitled Sielinna Troëst (Consolation of the Soul), but no copies have survived. Attained papal approval of the Brigittine Order in 1375. Worked for the canonization of her mother.
Born
1331 in Sweden
Died
• 24 March 1381 of natural causes
• relics translated to Vadstena, Sweden in 1488
Canonized
1484 (cultus confirmed) by Pope Innocent VIII
Patronage
• against abortions
• against miscarriages
Representation
• Brigittine abbess with a hind at her side
• Brigittine holding a lily
• Brigittine dressing a poor man's wounds
• Brigittine being brought Communion on her death bed.
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