Sister Monika has lived in the Bridgettine convent in Vadstena, Sweden, for over 40 years. The convent is home to sisters from various countries, including Sweden, Germany, Finland, and the Netherlands. The composition of the convent reflects changes in ecclesial vocations, with the Swedish sisters now forming the majority. The convent is often sought out by women in a second phase of their lives. The Bridgettine Order was founded by Saint Bridget of Sweden in the 14th century.
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The Bridgettine Order, founded by Saint Bridget of Sweden in the 14th century, has a long history with Nordic roots 1. Despite its origins, the Order faced significant restrictions in Sweden, with the founding of convents being forbidden until 1957 1. Prior to this, the Bridgettine house in Vadstena operated officially as a nursing home for the elderly 1.
The Bridgettine convent in Vadstena, Sweden, is home to a diverse community of eight sisters from Sweden, Germany, Finland, and the Netherlands 1. Notably, Swedish sisters now constitute the majority for the first time 1. The nature of vocations has evolved, with the convent increasingly becoming a place for women seeking a "second career" later in life, some novices even being older than long-serving sisters like Sister Monika 1.
Bridgettine spirituality is rooted in the Rule of St. Augustine, the Constitutions of St. Bridget, and contemporary adaptations 1. Central tenets include an emphasis on Christ's suffering and a daily prayer structure with a Marian perspective, viewing Jesus' life through Mary's eyes 1. The Order also stresses service to others through listening, prayer, and conversation, receiving numerous prayer requests and visitors 1. A key characteristic of their spirituality is finding joy in all tasks, including practical activities like packing jam or cleaning, which Sister Monika describes as becoming a pleasure through community life 1.
Sister Monika, a 70-year-old German sister who has lived at the Vadstena convent for over four decades, embarked on an unusual vocational journey 1. Her initial fascination with Sweden stemmed from a secular interest: falling in love with Swedish football goalkeeper Ronnie Hellström during the 1974 World Cup 1. This led her to study Nordic history in Sweden, where she encountered young Catholics whose faith inspired her return to Catholicism 1. Her decision to enter the convent was an "interior development," sparked by envy towards another woman seeking admission 1. Years later, Hellström himself attended her silver jubilee, and he is now buried in the cemetery near the convent, maintaining a connection to the community 1.
Sister Monika notes a significant change in how the Catholic Church is perceived in Sweden today, with Catholics in cultural and scientific fields gaining respect 1. She highlights a past "convent in prison" project, a spiritual accompaniment program for inmates, which, despite a low relapse rate, was eventually interrupted 1. For Sister Monika, her life in the convent has become a profound commitment, where every task, no matter how mundane, brings joy 1.
How does religious life adapt to changing societal contexts?
Religious life adapts to changing societal contexts by emphasizing core charisms while adjusting external structures and ministries. The example of Saint Bridget of Sweden and the Brigittine Order illustrates this adaptability, particularly through the efforts of Mother Mary Elizabeth Hesselblad in refounding the order with an ecumenical focus.
Saint Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373) founded the Order of the Most Holy Saviour, also known as the Brigittines, in 1346 at Vadstena . Her life itself demonstrated an adaptability to different states of life: she was first a laywoman, happily married with eight children, and later, after her husband's death, she embraced a new mission guided by mystical graces . Bridget's initial foundation included both monks and nuns, who used the same chapel but lived in separate wings of the monastery, with the abbess holding supreme authority in temporal matters for both houses . The original charism of the Brigittine Order, as established by Saint Bridget, centered on praising the Lord, witnessing to God's absolute primacy, and living in reparative communion with the Divine Savior through contemplation . She also had a strong desire for Christian unity, working tirelessly for the cohesion of believers during a challenging period in the Church and Europe .
Centuries later, Mother Mary Elizabeth Hesselblad (1870-1957) refounded the Brigittine Order, adapting its ancient monastic inspiration to contemporary society . She acquired a deep understanding of the wisdom of the Cross through prayer and life experiences, including poverty and contact with the sick . Hesselblad's refoundation gave the institute a clear orientation towards prayer and reparation with a significant ecumenical emphasis . She was convinced that through listening to the crucified Christ, all Christians would come together as one flock under one Shepherd . Her foundation, characterized by Eucharistic and Marian spirituality, committed itself to the cause of Christian unity through prayer and evangelical witness from its very beginning . This demonstrates how the core charism of reparation and unity, present in Saint Bridget's original vision, was revived and adapted to address the contemporary need for Christian unity .
Both Saint Bridget and Mother Mary Elizabeth Hesselblad understood the "wisdom of the Cross" through their lives and prayer . This wisdom taught them that the Cross is central to human life and reveals God's love . The prayer for Saint Bridget asks that, by contemplating the Passion of Christ, individuals may walk worthily in their vocation and seek God in all things . This highlights that religious life, in its adaptation, continues to emphasize a deep spiritual foundation and a commitment to seeking God within the specific callings of individuals, whether in consecrated life or in the ordinary occupations of the laity .
In summary, religious life adapts to changing societal contexts by maintaining its foundational spiritual charisms while evolving its external structures and ministries to address contemporary needs, as exemplified by the Brigittine Order's enduring commitment to prayer, reparation, and ecumenism across different historical periods.