Visions of St. Bridget X

Burial of Jesus

(Source: Revelations of St. Bridget by TAN Books available for purchase here.)

Consider now Our Sorrowful Mother's seventh sorrow, the burial of her Divine Son. The Blessed Virgin Mary, remember is fully human, she is without stain of sin, but human like you and I. Her lack of sin theologians state causes her grief to be more immense, not less.

We can fully relate to this sorrow - recall how people often are more torn and full of grief at the burial than during the funeral, of thier loved ones. The pain of loss seems to hit hardest at the moment of the final goodbye, as the widow, widower, children, etc., realise..."This is it, we will bury him now, he will be in the ground here and we will have to go. This is it."

I recall how at the burial of my grandfather, my grandmother by outward appearance was composed & coping well all during the wake and funeral. It wasn't until we were about to leave the graveside, after the priest had blessed the grave and said the prayers - she began to cry bitterly, and weeping she bent over her husband's casket, pressed her cheek to it and sobbed. That sorrowful time had come, so many years together and now, here at the cemetery - we part. I'm sure you have seen this, or experienced it yourself. Spend a moment and experience your Heavenly Mother's burial of her Son as she herself relates it to St. Bridget of Sweden. This revelation picks up just after the dead Jesus is laid in Mary's lap, she presses Him to her heart and washes His wounds with her own veil.

The Blessed Virgin Mary speaks: "...Mary Magdalen and the other holy women came, and many holy angels, like specks in the sunbeam, were present, paying reverence to thier Creator. What grief I then felt, no one can tell. For I was like a woman in childbirth, all of whose limbs after delivery are tremulous, who, though she can scarcely breathe for pain, yet rejoices inwardly as much as she can, because she knows that her child is born never to return to the misery from which he came. So, though I was incomparably sad for the death of my Son, yet as my Son was to die no more, but live forever, I rejoiced in soul, and so a certain gladness was mingled with my grief. I can truly say that when my Son was buried, there were in a manner two hearts in one tomb. Is it not said: "Where thy treasure is, there is thy heart"? So my thoughts and my heart were ever in the sepulcher of my Son."

Anyone who has buried a loved one can relate to this scene. If you have stood at the grave of a beloved one yet had faith and hope in thier salvation, perhaps you can also relate to Mary's "gladness mingled with grief". You are so very sad they are gone, yet you are glad they are without pain now, to die no more. Jesus and the Virgin Mary invite us all to join them at His burial scene. Come in spirit to the stone rolled in front of the tomb of Jesus, press your cheek to it and place your heart also beside your Lords'. Place there also all your cares and worries and ask Jesus for the gift of hope!

Prayer for a Recently Deceased Person

Absolve, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant N...,

from every bond of sin,that being raised in the glory of the resurrection,

he may be refreshed among the Saints and Elect.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen+

Visions of St. Bridget IX

Jesus is Laid in the Arms of His Mother

(Source: Revelations of St. Bridget by TAN Books, available for purchase here.)

After the death of Our Lord and after His side was opened by a lance, Jesus was taken down from the cross - the cross He used to save us from our own sin, and laid in the arms of His Holy Mother. Imagine if you will what it must have been to receive back what had been so harshly torn away, for Mary who held the infant Jesus so tenderly in her arms, now again recieves her son, holds him close, pressing Him to her chest. Crouch before your Heavenly Mother and join in her sorrow, sorry for your transgressions which have caused her Son's death - by reading her very words, spoken to St. Bridget of Sweden some 900 years ago:

The Blessed Virgin Mary speaks: "..think how He was taken down from the cross. The two men who took Him down from the cross set up three ladders-one reaching His feet, another to His armpits and arms, the third to the middle of the body. The first ascended and held Him by the body; the second, mounting another ladder, drew out first one of the nails from one hand, then, changing the ladder, he took out the nail from the other...then, he who bore the weight of the body descending gradually and moderately as he could, the other got up the ladder reaching to the feet, and drew the nails from the feet. And when he approached the ground, one of them held the body by the head, and the other by the feet, but I being His Mother, held Him by the middle. And so we three bore Him to a rock which I had covered with a clean linen sheet, in which we wrapped the body, but I did not sew the winding-sheet. For I knew for certain that He would not decay in the tomb."

St. Bridget speaks of this scene witnessed in vision: "...when the crowd departed, His friends took down Our Lord, whom His pious Mother received in her holy arms, and inclined Him, sitting on her knee, all wounded, torn and livid; and then His dolorous Mother wiped His whole body and wounds with her veil, and closed His eyes, kissing them, and wrapped Him in a clean winding-sheet, and thus they bore Him, with great wailing and grief, and laid Him in the sepulcher."

We all must often approach Our Mother in prayer to honor her great sorrow. She will repay our veneration with nothing less than our very salvation - which is the very Will of God. Go to your Sorrowful Mother with your own wounds and troubles, ask her to press you close and clean you with her veil as she did Our Lord. Mary is the quickest, surest and safest route to Jesus!

Prayer

Ah, true Mother, most loving Mother, Whom not even the fear of death could separate from Thy beloved Son. But, O God, what a spectacle of sorrow must have confronted those who could see Jesus hanging in agony on the cross, and His Mother there at the foot of the cross suffering all His torments with Him. All these sufferings of Jesus were also Mary's sufferings. Amen+

~ Saint Jerome

Visions of St. Bridget VIII

The Piercing Of the Side of Jesus

(Source: Revelations of St. Bridget by TAN Books, available for purchase here)

Directly following Our Lord's death, in the midst of incomparable sorrow, our Sorrowful Mother witnessed her Son run through by a Roman soldier. She relates the following to the mystic St. Bridget of Sweden:

The Blessed Virgin Mary speaks: "Someone said to me 'He is dead, but He will rise again.' Another said 'O lady, now the penalty of thy Son is paid to eternal glory.' While all were thus speaking, one came up and drove his lance so stoutly into His side that it almost came out on the other; and when he drew out the lance, its point was all ruddy with blood. Then it seemed to me as if my heart was pierced, when I beheld the heart of my beloved Son pierced through...this wound penetrated my heart, and it is [a wonder] that it did not burst. Others departed, but I could not."

Separately, St. Bridget relates this scene from her perspective as she was given to witness it through a vision by Divine Grace. Immediately following the death of Our Lord, briefly:

St. Bridget Speaks: "...He gave up the Ghost. Then His Mother, seeing this, trembled all over and would have fallen to the ground in her bitter anguish, had she not been supported by the other women...finally, all the Jews standing around, mockingly cried against His Mother, saying many things; for some said: "Mary, thy Son is dead." Others spoke other jeering words, and thus, while the crowd stood around, one running up with great fury plunged a lance into His right side so powerfully that the lance seems about to come forth in the opposite side of the body, and when it was drawn out, a very river of blood gushed impetuously from that wound; but the lance-head and part of the handle came forth blood-stained. His Mother, seeing this, trembled so violently and with bitter groans that her countenance and manner showed that her soul was then pierced with a keen sword of grief."

On account of who was Our Lord nailed to the cross? Who did thrust the lance? Who caused such misery in the sinless and immaculate soul of the Mother of God? Think - who is guilty of this unspeakable crime?

You and I are the guilty ones!

We pound the nails, we cast the lance. Our sins wrought this suffering. We must pray and strive for purity in all we do. Pray for the grace of holiness. Console the sorrowful heart of Your Mother and she will work out the details of your conversion and salvation.

Prayer of St. Bridget

O Jesus, sweetness of hearts and great sweetness of minds,

by the bitterness of the vinegar and gall which Thou

didst taste for us, grant me at the hour of my death

worthily to receive Thy Body and Blood,

for the remedy and consolation of my soul.

Amen+

Visions of St. Bridget VII

Death of Jesus

(Source: Revelations of St. Bridget, by TAN Books, available for purchase here)

The Blessed Virgin Mary's discussion with St. Bridget of Sweden continues as she relates to her, for our edification, her Holy Son's Passion. We have covered Our Lady's witness of Jesus' torture and now we sadly move on to His death. This revelation picks up just following Our Lords utterance of the words "Father, why has Thou foraken me?" (due to the length of this account, I have abbreviated it, noted with the ...)

The Blessed Virgin Mary speaks: "Then His eyes appeared half dead, His cheeks hollow, and His countenance mournful, His mouth open and His tongue bloodstained, His body collapsed as though He had nothing within, the humors being all drained, and His whole body pale and languid from the loss and flow of blood. His hand and feet were stretched out most rigidly, drawn and shaped to the form of the cross, His beard and hair all clotted with blood. Now when my Son was thus torn and livid, His heart alone was vigorous...life struggled with death in His pierced body. For sometimes the pain mounted from His pierced limbs and nerves to His heart...and thus tortured Him with incredible pain and suffering...and thus prolonged death with bitterness....then in His great anguish of body, He cried in His humanity to His Father: 'Father, into Thy hands I commend my Spirit.' When I, His most afflicted Mother, heard these words, all my limbs trenbled in my bitter grief of heart. And as often as I thought of this word, it was present and fresh in my ears. And as death came on, when His heart was breaking from excessive pain, then all His members quivered, and His head, rising slightly, inclined. His mouth was seen to open, disclosing His tongue all covered with blood. His hands shrunk a little from the holes of the nails, and the feet bore more of the weight of the body. His fingers and arms extended in a manner, and His back was pressed back on the cross. Then some said to me: 'Mary, thy Son is dead.' "

Mary invites us once again to the foot of Her Son's Cross. It was by this Cross that God made Man reconciled us to Himself - through this Cross we are saved. It is through suffering that love is proved, tested and purified. God made Abraham the Father of a nation only after being proven and purified "like gold in a furnace" But the Lord does not purify us through pain without granting us the graces to withstand it - it is only for us to cooperate with His grace. Think often on the sacrifice of Jesus and Mary. Remember this at Mass, go to confession often, have masses said for the dead so you do not appear at your particular judgement with emtpy hands.

Prayer

Beloved Mother who suffered in heart beyond bearing because of us, teach us to suffer with you. As God wants, imitating you, we suffer and may our suffering be known to God only, like yours and that of Jesus. You dedicate it to God. You, who suffered with the Savior of the world, you are a Mother greater than all.

Amen+

Visions of St. Bridget VI

Mary's Way of the Cross Continues

According to St. Bridget of Sweden

(Source: Revelations of St. Bridget by TAN Books

available for purchase here.)

We continue now to witness with Mary her Divine Son's Passion through the visions of St. Bridget. Our Saviour has been condemned then scourged, beaten & humiliated - all within view of His Mother. Mary continues relating to the mystic how she and her Son experienced Good Friday.

The Blessed Virgin Mary speaks: ...His cruel executioners seized Him, and stretched Him on the cross. First they fixed His right hand to the beam, which was pierced for nails, and they transfixed His hand in the part where the bone was firmest. Then drawing His other hand with a rope, they affixed it in like manner to the cross. Then they crucified His right foot, and over it the left, with two nails, so that all the nerves and veins were extended and broken. This done, they fitted a crown of thorns to His head, which so acutely wounded the venerable head of my Son that His eyes were filled, His ears stopped up, with the blood that streamed down, and His whole beard matted with the gore. And as He stood thus pierced and bloody, condoling with me as I stood mourning, He looked with blood stained eyes to John, my kinsman, and commended me to him. At that time I heard some saying that my Son was a robber, others that He was a liar, others that none better deserved death than my Son, and these words renewed my grief. But, as has been said, when the first nail was driven into Him, horrified at the first blow, I fell as though dead, my eyes darkened, my hands trembling, my feet quivering, nor for bitterness could I look again before He was nailed fast. On rising I beheld my Son hanging miserably, and I His most wretched mother, filled with terror on all sides, could scarcely stand for grief. But my Son, seeing me and His friends weeping disconsolately, in a loud and tearful voice cried out to His Father, saying: 'Father, why hast thou forsaken Me?'"

Take some today to listen to your Mother's voice as she calls you to join her at the foot of her Son's cross. Go there with all your woes, cares, worries and sorrows. Offer them to the Heavenly Father, in union with Jesus' suffering on the cross - for to do this is to pattern your offering upon Mary's. That is what she did at the foot of her Son's cross, offered her pain, in union with Jesus' to the Father for the salvation of the whole world. Pray for the conversion of poor sinners, for the Church, for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Ask Mary to offer your tears with hers and in return you can expect endless gifts of mercy!

Prayer

O Mary, Mother of Sorrows, I beseech Thee, by the bitter agony thou didst endure at the foot of the Cross offer to the Eternal Father, in my name, thy Beloved Son, Jesus, all covered with Blood and Wounds, in satisfaction for my sins, for the needs of Holy Church, the conversion of sinners, the relief of the Souls in Purgatory and for the special grace I now implore.

(Here mention your request.)

Amen+

Visions of St. Bridget V

Mary Walks the Way of the Cross With Her Son

(Source: Revelations of St. Bridget by TAN Books available here.)

Picking up where we left off in the last post, Mary revealed to St. Bridget of Sweden in a vision how she witnessed the scourging at the pillar then accompanied Him during his Passion, making the first Way of the Cross. Take a moment now and walk beside your Mother as she follows Jesus' bloody footprints and imagine her heart pierced anew watching her Son undergo His Passion.

The Blessed Virgin Mary Speaks: "Now, as my Son was led away like a robber, He wiped away the blood from His eyes. And when He was condemned, they gave Him His cross to bear. When He had carried it a short way, one came up and assumed it. Meanwhile, as my Son was going to the place of His Passion, some smote Him on the back, others struck Him in the face. And so violently and rudely was He struck that though I did not see the person striking, I distinctly heard the sound of the blow. And when I came with Him to the place of the Passion, I there beheld all the instruments prepared for His death. And my Son Himself, coming thither, divested Himself of His clothes, the attendants saying to each other: 'These vestments are ours, nor can He have them again, that is condemned to death.' Now, while my Son stood as naked as when He was born, one, running up, handed Him a cloth with which, exulting inwardly, he covered Him. Then His cruel executioners seized Him, and stretched Him on the cross."

Ask yourself - just why did Jesus, with Mary beside Him undergo such a suffering? Jesus as the Lamb of God offered up himself as a sacrifice for the forgiveness of the sins of the world, from the first sin of Adam unto the last sin committed prior to His return. Mary, for her part, suffered immensely in her heart and soul - her Son was crucified in body, Mary was crucified in soul - for our sins. They underwent this terrible trial for you and me. Let us think and remember this often and try very hard to appreciate thier sacrifice made on our behalf, and be most grateful.

Prayer

Beloved Mother, stricken with grief, teach us to accept all our sufferings, so that we may relieve your sorrowful heart and that of Jesus. In doing so, may we give glory to God who gave you and Jesus to us. As you suffered, teach us to suffer silently and patiently. Grant unto us the grace of loving God in everything. O Mother of Sorrows, O Mother most afflicted of all mothers, have mercy on the sinners of the whole world.

Amen+

Visions of St. Bridget IV

Scourging at the Pillar

(Source: The Revelations of St. Bridget by TAN Books available here.)

Our Lord's scourging is a subject not normally associated with the Sorrows of Mary, but through a vision to St. Bridget of Sweden, Our Lady revealed how she witnessed her Son's Passion. The focus seems to be on her Son's experience rather than on her own suffering, which is to be expected. This is much in line with the theology of "to Jesus through Mary" for as we venerate the Blessed Virgin and compassionate her sorrows she brings us to be disciples of her Son. As we think on her and her sufferings, she points us to her Son and leads us on the Way of the Cross.

The Blessed Virgin Speaks: "When the time of my Son's Passion arrived, His enemies seized Him, striking Him on His cheek and neck; and spitting upon Him, they mocked Him. Then, led to the pillar, He stripped Himself, and Himself stretched out His hands to the pillar, which His enemies, pitiless, bound. Now, while tied there He had no clothing, but stood as He was born, and suffered the shame of His nakedness. Then His enemies rose up, for they stood on all sides, His friends having fled, and they scourged His body, pure from all spot or sin. At the first blow, I, who stood nearest, fell as if dead, and on recovering my senses I beheld His body bruised and beaten to the very ribs, so that His ribs could be seen; and what was still more bitter, when the scourge was raised, His very flesh was furrowed by the thongs. And when my Son stood thus, all bloody, all torn, so that no soundness could be found in Him nor spot to sourge, then one, his spirit roused within Him, asked: 'Will you slay Him thus unjudged?' and he immediately cut His bonds. Then my Son put on His clothes, and I beheld the spot where my Son's feet stood all full of blood, and I knew my Son's course by His footprints, for wherever He went, the earth seemed stained with blood...."

And so Our Sorrowful Mother followed her Divine Son's bloody footsteps on this the first Way of the Cross. See how her heart breaks with each painful movement, her heart and will united to His and accepting His will, yet this does not one bit lessen the pain. Think on your Mother's sorrow, what she has borne and continues to bear for you. Continue not to pierce her heart anew with your sin and lack of compassion. Take a moment to meditate on your Mother's sorrow and pray for an increase in virtue for you and your benefactors.

Prayer

Hail Mary, Full of Grace

the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God

pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen+

Visions of St. Bridget III

Flight Into Egypt

Visions of St. Bridget of Sweden

(1303-1373)

(Source: Revelations of St. Bridget by TAN Books)

Our Lady's second sorrow, the fight into Egypt was discussed personally by Our Lord in a conversation He had with St. Bridget. We are reminded by these words of what happened directly after the infant Jesus was taken by Mary and Joseph into exile - the slaughter of the innocents. We learn more of the import of this tragic happening and of what good the Lord in His mercy wrought through such an unspeakable act of evil.

A few words regarding private revelation: These writings bear the Church's Imprimatur and have been widely disseminated and promulgated by Holy Mother Church. It is not wise nor prudent to reject such things as personal revelation that we are not required to believe in. Although there is no requirement - we must not despise such things either, but rather approach with prayerful discernment.

Jesus speaks: "By My flight into Egypt, I showed the infirmities of My humanity, and fulfilled the prophecies; I gave, too, an example to My disciples, that sometimes persecution is to be avoided for the greater future glory of God. That I was not found by My pursuers, the counsel of My Deity prevailed over man's counsel, for it is not easy to fight against God. That the innocents were slain was a sign of My future Passion, a mystery of those to be called, and of divine charity; for though the innocents did not bear testimony unto Me by voice and mouth, yet they did by their death, as agreed with My childhood; because it was foreseen that even in the blood of innocents, praise should be perfected to God. For though the malice of the unjust unjustly afflicted them, yet My divine permission, ever just and benignant, exposed them only justly, to show the malice of men and the incomprehensible counsel and piety of My divinity. Therefore, when unjust malice wreaked itself on the children, there justly superabounded merit and grace; and where the confession of the tongue and age were wanting, there the blood shed accumulated the most perfect good."

Prayer

O Lord, hear my prayer and let my cry come unto You.
O Lord Jesus Christ,

once You embraced and placed Your hands upon the little children

who came to You, and said: "Suffer the little children to come unto Me,

and forbid them not, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,

and their angels always see the face of my Father!"

Look now with fatherly eyes on the innocence of children and their

parents' devotion, and bless them this day through your mercy.

In Your grace and goodness let them advance continually,

longing for You, loving You, fearing You, keeping Your commandments.

Then they will surely come to their destined home,

through You, Savior of the world.

Who lives and reigns forever and ever.

Amen+
(Taken from the Church's official blessing of children of the Feast of the Holy Innocents, included in the Roman Ritual.)

Visions of St. Bridget II

Prophesy of Simon

According to St. Bridget of Sweden

(Source: Revelations of St Bridget by TAN Books)

St. Bridget was visited personally by the Blessed Virgin Mary who related the following to her regarding her ritual purification, the Presentation and Mary's first sorrow - the prophesy of Simeon.

"I did not need purification, like other women, because my Son who was born of me made me clean. Nor did I contract the least stain, who bore my most pure Son without any stain. Nevertheless, that the law and the prophecies might be fulfilled, I chose to live according to the law. Nor did I live like worldly parents, but humbly conversed with the humble. Nor did I wish to show anything extraordinary in me, but loved whatever was humble. On that day as today was my pain increased. For though, by divine inspiration, I knew that my Son was to suffer, yet this grief pierced my heart more keenly at Simeon's words, when he said that a sword should pierce my soul, and that my Son should be set for a sign to be contradicted. And until I was assumed in body and soul into Heaven, this grief never left my heart, although it was tempered by the consolation of the spirit of God. I also wish you to know that from that day my grief was sixfold."

We - in our small minds, tainted with concupiscience and sin cannot even begin to comprehend what suffering Our Mother underwent, who was without sin. In the pure vessel of her Immaculate Heart, she who was "full of grace" suffered greatly in her earthly exile. To be called "Full of Grace" by God logically means there was nothing but grace within her. She as God's greatest creation was closest to God, so therefore she would be granted the greatest share in His suffering. She would then go on to recieve as her reward the greatest share in His glory in Heaven. Let us turn with confidence to Our Sorrowful Mother and ask for many graces. Let us compassionate her sorrows that she may look down from Heaven with pity on us and bring us safely to her Divine Son!

Prayer

O God, in Whose Passion, according to the prophecy of Simeon,

the dear soul of Mary, Thy glorious Virgin-Mother,

was transfixed by a sword of sorrow;

mercifully grant that we, reverently remembering her woes,

may secure the happy effects of Thy Passion.

Who livest and reignest with Thee

in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God,

world without end.

Amen+

(Source: My Daily Prayer, Confraternity of the Precious Blood Brooklyn, NY)

Mary's Sorrows - Visions of St Bridget I

Revelations of St. Bridget of Sweden

(1303 - 1373)

(Source: Revelations of St. Bridget by TAN Books)

St. Bridget of Sweden, also known by the name St. Birgitta, was born in June of 1303 in Finsta, Uppland Sweden. She was the fifth child of Birger Persson and Ingeborg Bengsdottir, both parents having the repuation of a devout and holy life.

St. Bridget's birth was accompanied by prophetic signs. Ingeborg barely escaped drowning just prior to her birth and after this, an angel appeared to her, informing her that she was saved because of her unborn child. "Bring her up in the love of God, for she is His gift to you."

St. Bridget was wise beyond her years from her earliest youth. She recieved her first divine vision at the age of seven: a beautiful lady offered her a crown, when she accepted it, it was put upon her head and could be felt by her physical body. At the age of ten she was graced with a vision of Christ Crucified with blood streaming from his holy wounds.

St. Bridget's mother died when she was but 11. At the age of 13 she entered into a marriage arranged by her father to an 18 year old man named Ulf who is described as "rich, noble and wise." Bridget had long since given her heart to her Lord, but married in sorrow to fulfill her father's will for her, which she took to be the will of God himself. God blessed this couple with eight children, one of which was destined to become a saint as well - St. Katherine of Sweden, also known as St. Karin.

St. Bridget was widowed in the year 1343 after which time this holy servant of God entered into a life of penance with much fasting, vigils and asceticism. Her mystical visions became frequent and the Lord revealed to her that she was to become His bride and to perform the task of informing the world of His warnings and messages. She founded the Bridgettine order which gives special honor to Our Lady.

The next several postings here will focus on St. Bridget's mystical visions and the messages relayed to her directly from Our Lord and His Holy Mother, focusing specifically on Mary's sorrows and the Passion. I encourage all to purchase a copy of the book containing this writings of St. Bridget, it is very inexpensive and contains a treasure of spiritual material, available here.

St. Bridget moved to Rome at Our Lord's request in the year 1350. She was a contemporary of St. Catherine of Siena and with her was instrumental in the return of the Holy See to its rightful place in Rome from Avignon France. She died after 20 years of charitible work and miracles in Rome. She was canonized on July 23, 1391 and was declared the Patron Saint of Sweden in 1396. Pope John Paul II also made her co-patroness of Europe during his reign as the Holy Father.

Prayer of St. Bridget

We pray thee, O most clement Virgin Mary,

Queen of the world and of angels, to obtain relief

for those whom the fire of Purgatory tries,

pardon for sinners, perserverance in good for the just,

and also defend us weak brethren from menacing danger.

Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord who lives and reigns with The Father

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Amen+