Blessed Mary Elisabeth Hesselblad
MARIA ELISABETH HESSELBLAD
Born in 1870, she died in Rome in 1957. After her conversion to Catholicism she was called to re-found the old Bridgettine Order.
She strove to “unite what is divided”. In fact, since her childhood, the idea “one flock and one shepherd” oriented her towards the search for truth.
She strove to “unite what is divided”. In fact, since her childhood, the idea “one flock and one shepherd” oriented her towards the search for truth.
Zeal for ecumenism brought the new Order in Sweden. 
Her attention and care towards the people in Rome, and especially towards the persecuted Jews during the Second World War, are well known.
The way followed by Mother Elisabeth was of prayer and of the Cross: she was very clear about the situation in which to move for a correct behaviour, which as religious does not allow being comfortable.
The House of Saint Bridget in Piazza Farnese became a datum point, thanks also to the presence of renowned religious, like the Jesuits Brandt, Hagen and Charles Boyer.
The Saint forms part of a group of converts of high stature (Edith Stein, Paul Claudel, André Fossard, just to name a few) who have left a sign of continuity with the glorious past which, owing to historical reasons, has become obfuscated or has lost its impulse.
Mother Hesselblad has been defined as “the pilgrim of unity” because of her special gift of considering unity as a mission for sisters in the modern world. Among her spiritual and social activities – we may recall here the commitment of the sisters during World War II – Blessed Elisabeth knew how to transmit a sign which was taken up and developed by her daughters who, in their turn, whilst interpreting faithfully her message, continue to give new energies to religious life, thanks to the numerous vocations of young girls who answer to Christ’s call.
The way followed by Mother Elisabeth was of prayer and of the Cross: she was very clear about the situation in which to move for a correct behaviour, which as religious does not allow being comfortable.
The House of Saint Bridget in Piazza Farnese became a datum point, thanks also to the presence of renowned religious, like the Jesuits Brandt, Hagen and Charles Boyer.
The Saint forms part of a group of converts of high stature (Edith Stein, Paul Claudel, André Fossard, just to name a few) who have left a sign of continuity with the glorious past which, owing to historical reasons, has become obfuscated or has lost its impulse.
Mother Hesselblad has been defined as “the pilgrim of unity” because of her special gift of considering unity as a mission for sisters in the modern world. Among her spiritual and social activities – we may recall here the commitment of the sisters during World War II – Blessed Elisabeth knew how to transmit a sign which was taken up and developed by her daughters who, in their turn, whilst interpreting faithfully her message, continue to give new energies to religious life, thanks to the numerous vocations of young girls who answer to Christ’s call.
SOME IMPORTANT DATES IN HER LIFE
1870 – Born in Faglavik, Sweden.
1888 – In her search for work to help her large family, she embarked for the United States, where, after several jobs, she devoted herself to the care of the sick as a nurse.
1900 – Her search for God bore fruit in a wonderful deepening of her faith that brought her to baptism in the Catholic Church (1902) and to the providential encounter with the House of St Birgitta in Piazza Farnese in Rome.
1904 – In this House, where St Birgitta of Sweden lived and died in 1373, she was welcomed by the Carmelites, who had custody of the House, and took her first vows in 1906.
1911 – In this same House, where she often meditated in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, she founded the Order of the Most Holy Saviour of St Birgitta.
1923 – Foundations of the Order were started abroad: Djursholm (Sweden, 1923), Lugano (Switzerland, 1924), Iver Heath (England, 1931), Piazza Farnese (Rome, 1931), and Vadstena (Sweden, 1935), to which the Brigittines returned after 350 years of suppression.
1937 – Sends her daughters also in India.
Missionary and zealous spirit for the Unity of Christians
1939 – During the Second World War, the Blessed Elisabeth carried out unceasing works of charity to the point of physical pain and exhaustion. She helped all with no distinction.
1948 – 1955 – She was awarded many recognition
1957 – She died in Rome in the House of St Birgitta.
April 9, 2000 – Beatification – in St. Peter’s Square by Servant of God John Paul II
1888 – In her search for work to help her large family, she embarked for the United States, where, after several jobs, she devoted herself to the care of the sick as a nurse.
1900 – Her search for God bore fruit in a wonderful deepening of her faith that brought her to baptism in the Catholic Church (1902) and to the providential encounter with the House of St Birgitta in Piazza Farnese in Rome.
1904 – In this House, where St Birgitta of Sweden lived and died in 1373, she was welcomed by the Carmelites, who had custody of the House, and took her first vows in 1906.
1911 – In this same House, where she often meditated in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, she founded the Order of the Most Holy Saviour of St Birgitta.
1923 – Foundations of the Order were started abroad: Djursholm (Sweden, 1923), Lugano (Switzerland, 1924), Iver Heath (England, 1931), Piazza Farnese (Rome, 1931), and Vadstena (Sweden, 1935), to which the Brigittines returned after 350 years of suppression.
1937 – Sends her daughters also in India.
Missionary and zealous spirit for the Unity of Christians
1939 – During the Second World War, the Blessed Elisabeth carried out unceasing works of charity to the point of physical pain and exhaustion. She helped all with no distinction.
1948 – 1955 – She was awarded many recognition
1957 – She died in Rome in the House of St Birgitta.
April 9, 2000 – Beatification – in St. Peter’s Square by Servant of God John Paul II
2005 – Righteous among the nations at Yad Vashem