Saint Catherine of Sweden
Widow, Abbess
(Around 1331 – 1381)

Saint’s Life Story

Her Early Life

Catherine, who is also known as Catherine of Vadstena or Katarina Ulfsdotter, was born around 1331 in Ulfasa, Sweden. She was the fourth of the eight children of Saint Bridget of Sweden and Ulf Gudmarsson. At the age of seven, Catherine was sent to the Abbey at Riseberg by her parents. Here, she was placed under the care of the abbess to receive an education and to build a foundation for her spiritual life.

Married at 13

At the age of thirteen, Catherine was married by arrangement to the pious German noble Lord Eggart von Kürnen. At once, Catherine persuaded her husband, who was a very religious man, to join her in a vow of chastity. Both lived in a state of virginity devoting themselves to active charity.

In 1344, soon after Catherine’s marriage, her father died. He was buried in the monastery of Alvastro. His widow Saint Bridget by Divine direction, went to Rome. Italy. Catherine wished ardently to go to Rome too. Her husband would have given her leave to do so, but her brother Charles wrote, threatening to kill him if he allowed Catherine to leave the country.

Accompanied Saint Bridget to Rome

Around 1350, in spite of her deep love for her husband, Catherine accompanied her mother, Saint Bridget, to Rome, Italy and stayed together. Young women in particular were not safe. Catherine was forbidden by her mother to go out alone. For several days, Catherine stayed in the house with her maids, while her mother went to the indulgences. Because of this forced retreat, Catherine began to say to herself, “I lead a miserable life here, sitting brutally at home, while others go and feed their souls at the services. My brothers and sisters in my own country can serve God in peace.”

Later, Catherine told her mother that she dreamt she was surrounded with fire, and could not get away. She saw the Virgin Mary, and cried out to her for help. The Blessed Virgin replied, ” How can I help you while you cherish a sinful longing to return home ? ” Her mother reasoned with her. They prayed that she might have grace to keep her good resolutions.

Her Husband Dies

However, tragedy struck as shortly after their arrival, Catherine’s husband passed away, leaving her widowed. Now, she lived constantly with her mother, taking an active part in Saint Bridget’s fruitful labors while zealously imitating her mother’s ascetic life.

Rome as Home Base

For the next 25 years, Catherine and her mother used Rome as a base for their spiritual journeys and pilgrimages. In 1372, Catherine and her brother, Birger, accompanied Saint Bridget on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

When they were in Rome or home in Sweden, they spent their days dedicated to prayer, meditation, and serving the poor. Catherine and Saint Bridget worked tirelessly with the less fortunate, teaching them about the Catholic faith.

During this time, they also had to ward off unwanted advances from local men, including young lords. To try to repulse such suitors, and also as an act of humility, Catherine always went about in the most ragged and threadbare clothing. One day, as Catherine was on her way to worship at the church of Saint Sebastian, a Roman count, Latino Orsini, was actually lying concealed with his servants in a vineyard beside the road. Suddenly, a stag made its appearance. This action so diverted their attention that Saint Catherine passed by unobserved.

Saint Bridget’s Death

In 1374, in obedience to Saint Bridget’s wish, Catherine took her mother’s body back to Sweden. There, she buried her at the motherhouse of the Brigittine Order, the Order of the Holy Savior, in Vadstena, Sweden.

Then, Catherine became the superior of the Order and served as abbess at the convent of Vadstena, founded by her mother. Catherine managed the convent with great skill making the life there one in harmony with the principles laid down by her mother. In addition to her administrative duties, Catherine continued her spiritual work and devotion to the poor. Catherine was known for her austere lifestyle and her practice of making daily use of the Sacrament of Confession.

Author

Catherine wrote a devotional work entitled “Sielinna Troëst” (Consolation of the Soul), consisting of extracts and maxims from Holy Scripture and various devotional works. However, no copies of the manuscript have survived to this day.

No Angry Words

Catherine’s charity was so great, extending beyond deeds to words, that she was never heard to say an angry or impatient word or to utter an unkindly criticism. Years later, Catherine prayed that the Bridgettine Order might always be kept from the poisonous venom of detraction. Catherine warned her niece Ingegerda, afterwards abbess of Vadstena, against uncharitable judgements, saying that both the backbiter and the listener carried the devil in their tongues.

Friendship with Saint Catherine of Siena

In 1375, her profound dedication and efforts led to the papal approval of the Brigittine Order by Pope Urban VI, solidifying its place within the Church. Catherine also worked diligently for the canonization of her mother, Saint Bridget in Rome, Italy. She stayed there five years, forming a close friendship with Saint Catherine of Siena.

Her Death

Immediately after Catherine’s final retirement to Vadstena, Sweden, her health began to fail. On March 24, 1381, Catherine died in in Vadstena, Sweden. To her funeral came all the bishops and abbots of Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, also Eric, son of Albert, king of Sweden, and many barons. In 1488, her relics were translated to Vadstena, Sweden.

Catherine is often depicted with a female deer at her side, because it is said that the animal came to her rescue, preserving her from unchaste youths.

Born:                  Around 1331 (exact date unknown) in Ulfasa, Sweden

Died:                  March 24, 1381 in Vadstena, Sweden

Beatified:           Unknown

Canonized:        1484 (cultus confirmed) by Pope Innocent VIII

Feast Day:          March 24

Patron Saint:    Against Abortions; Against Miscarriages; Vadstena, Sweden; Women Who Suffer Miscarriages

Source:

• • A Dictionary Of Saintly Women, Volume 1 : Dunbar, Agnes Baillie Cunninghame – St Catherine
  • Saint of the Day – 24 March – St Catherine of Sweden (1331-1381) – AnaStpaul
  • CatholicSaints.Info » Saint Catherine of Sweden
  • Saint Catherine of Sweden – Saint for a Minute: Saints & Blesseds
  • Catherine of Vadstena – Wikipedia

Prayers

Video Link

St Catherine Of Sweden – Saint of the Day with Fr Lindsay – 24 March – YouTube (St Francis Xavier – SPRING of FAITH)