With Bridget in the Holy Land

Author Luca Cesarini
Publisher Sacristy 16.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781789593075

Luca Cesarini’s great interest is Bridget of Sweden, about whom he has written widely. This work, originally published in Swedish in 2014, is now translated into English. Bridget, a much-travelled woman, left Sweden for Rome, where she spent many years. There, she tried to tempt the Pope back to the city, which finally happened, although temporarily, but with enough time to have her order, The Holy Saviour’s Order, approved. After that, a new revelation guided her to make the perilous journey to the Holy Land. All this had been foretold at her birth: ‘a daughter, whose voice will be heard all over the world’. The facts of Bridget’s life comprise the first part of the book. The second part consists of the revelations Bridget received from Mary, Jesus Christ, St Paul and others. These not only guided her journeys but informed her how to speak to others, especially of their sins. Noteworthy is the section on the nativity, which has influenced pictorial depictions ever since. This book is accessible and gives an interesting account of a medieval woman, unusual for her times.

Reviewed by MARGARET TINSLEY

Biography