Catherine of Sweden
The fourth child of Bridget of Sweden's eight children, St. Catherine (c. 1331-1381) became her mother's companion in Rome and successor as head of the Briggitines. Married at 14 to Eggard von Kürnen, Catherine joined her mother in Rome c. 1350, about the time that her husband died. Some say he died before she left Sweden; some say he died while she was in Rome. After the death of Bridget (1373), Catherine returned her body to Vadstena and began to work for the approval of the Briggitine rule, as well as for the canonization of her mother. Catherine lived in Rome again between 1375-1380 and was successful in both endeavors. She died at Vadstena, and Innocent VIII confirmed her veneration among the Briggitines in 1484. Although her commemoration has never been officially extended to the whole of the Roman church, she has been widely venerated.
Karen Rae Keck
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