Catherine of Sweden, St.
CATHERINE OF SWEDEN, ST.
Bridgettine; b. 1331 or 1332; d. Vadstena, March 24, 1381. She was the daughter of St. bridget of sweden. In early youth she married the nobleman Eggard von Kürnen, with whom she lived in continency. In 1350 she joined her mother in Rome, sharing as daughter and companion Bridget's life of prayer, pilgrimage, and charitable works. After her husband's death (1351), Catherine refused many offers of marriage. Having accompanied her mother's remains to Sweden (1375), she devoted herself to the interests of the community founded by Bridget at Vadstena, becoming its first superior. From 1375 to 1380 she was in Rome to further her mother's canonization and the approbation of the Bridgettine rule. At this time she became the friend of catherine of siena. Though not formally canonized, she is listed in the Roman martyrology. A chapel in the Piazza Farnese is dedicated to her. Her devotional writings, including The Consolation of the Soul, have not survived.
See Also: brigittine sisters.
Feast: March 24.
Bibliography: a. butler, The Lives of the Saints, ed. h. thurston and d. attwater (New York 1956) 1: 669–671. a. l. sibilia, Bibliotheca Sanctorum 3:994–996.
[m. j. finnegan]