St. Catherine of Sweden

St. Catherine of Sweden was the daughter of St. Bridget of Sweden. Though her father insisted she marry a German nobleman, Eggert von Kurnen, at the age of thirteen, Catherine lived a life of consecrated virginity. Her husband was a very religious man who gladly agreed to make their marriage a chaste one. Together, the couple devoted themselves to a life of piety and charity, and it is said that their love was a profound one. Despite the closeness of husband and wife, Catherine accompanied her mother Bridget on a pilgrimage to Rome in 1349 at the age of 18. While in Italy, Catherine received news that her beloved Eggert had died in Sweden.

Now a widow, Catherine lived constantly with her mother, serving alongside St. Bridget in her prolific ministerial life and eagerly accepting her mother's ascetic lifestyle. The two women, along with Catherine's brother, Birger, went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 1372. Bridget died shortly after their return to Italy, and thereafter, Catherine worked tirelessly for her mother's canonization. Though she was not able to obtain the canonization at the time, due to a Schism regarding the papacy, Bridget was able to aid in the restoration of unity due to her loyalty on behalf of Pope Urban VI during the painful Schism, on whose behalf she testified at a judicial commission in Rome. St. Catherine is said to have written a devotional work called "Consolation of the Soul," but no manuscript has ever been found. Five years after her mother's death, Catherine returned to Sweden where she died shortly thereafter. In 1484, permission was granted for veneration of this saint, and her feastday is now celebrated on March 24th.

St. Catherine of Sweden is the patroness against abortion and miscarriages.

St. Catherine is a paradox. A princess who devoted herself to charity and self-denial. A wife who lived a life of virginity. A loving daughter, sister, wife, and child of God: Catherine is an example of someone who emptied herself completely to be filled with God's Spirit. It is no wonder that she is the patroness against abortion and miscarriages. Only someone so completely emptied of ego could understand the emptiness of the bereaved mother. Though Catherine was a virgin and never had biological children of her own, she had many spiritual children through her life of ministry. She also understands the loneliness and desolation of the mother who has no child to hold in her arms because of an abortion or a miscarriage. As a person of Swedish descent and a mother who has suffered a miscarriage, I feel a deep affinity for St. Catherine of Sweden, and she is one of the saints venerated in our home.

Here are some ideas for how to honor the feastday of St. Catherine of Sweden:

• Pray for St. Catherine's intercession against abortion in our country and in our world.
• Pray for St. Catherine's intercession for healing from a miscarriage for yourself or other mothers you know.
• Go on a pilgrimage (just a local one!), as St. Catherine did in her life.
• Make your pilgrimage a family affair as it was for Catherine. St. Catherine, St. Brigid, and Birger certainly understood the profound truth that the "family that prays together stays together." Celebrate your faith as a family today.
• Enjoy some Swedish foods. Despite their smorgasbords, Swedes aren't particularly known among other cultures for delicious main dishes (jellied eel or lutefisk, anyone?). But, we do make fantastic pastries! Consider making some Swedish pepparkakor cookies (spicy cookies accented with orange zest) or saffron bread or buns for tea time. There are some very tasty Swedish dishes, but you won't find them in your average cookbook, unfortunately. Some websites have yummy versions of Swedish meatballs, though. And sweet-and-sour red cabbage-and-apples is always a winner for sidedishes!
• If you homeschool, consider studying not only the life of this saint but a little bit about the history of Sweden. With Scandinavian being so predominantly Lutheran today, we sometimes forget that the Catholic Church was a significant presence prior to the Reformation. You might even want to do a mini-study in comparative religion: how does Lutheranism differ from Catholicism? What pagan traditions were adapted by the Church in Sweden to Christian practices?
• St. Catherine of Sweden carried out her apostolates alongside her family members, namely her husband and mother. Do you have family members or close friends with whom you serve God and others? Why not thank them today for all they have done to help you in your ministries? If you don't share your ministry with others, why not consider approaching a friend or family member with a proposal to begin serving together? Think of something you are both talented at or passionate about and support each other in service.

* The Bookworm's Library has been updated: The Mass by Dr. Tom Curran