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St. Birgitta of Sweden (1303-1373, canonized 1391) was one of the
most charismatic and influential female visionaries of the later
Middle Ages. Altogether, she received some 700 revelations. They
deal with a variety of subjects, from meditations on the human
condition, domestic affairs in Sweden, and ecclesiastical matters
in Rome, to revelations in praise of the Incarnation and devotion
to the Virgin. Her Revelations, collected and ordered by her
confessors, circulated widely throughout Europe and long after her
death. Many eminent individuals, including Cardinal Juan Torqemada
and Martin Luther, read and commented on her writings, which
influenced the spiritual lives of countless individuals. Birgitta
was also the founder of a new contemplative order, which still
exists. She is the patron saint of Sweden, and in 2000 was declared
(with Catherine of Siena and Edith Stein) the first co-patroness of
Europe. This new translation in four volumes, supported by the
Tercentenary Foundation of the Swedish National Bank, is based on
the newly available, definitive Latin edition. It will be the first
translation of the complete work into English. Interest in
Birgitta's Revelations has grown over the past decade. Historians
and theologians draw on them for insights into late medieval
spirituality, artistic imagery, political struggles, and social
life. Scholars of literature study them to gain knowledge of
rhetorical strategies employed in late medieval texts by women.
Philologists analyze them to enhance understanding of the
historical development of Latin and medieval Swedish. Increasingly,
Birgitta is also admired and studied as a powerful female voice and
prophet of reform. The publication of this translation will make
this important text available to a much wider cross-section of
scholars and students, and to those who are interested in her
spiritual insights. The editors will provide an extensive
introduction outlining the major characteristics of Brigitta's
spirituality, her life and work, her style and use of sources, and
the main features of her theology. The subsequent volumes are
projected to appear at two-year intervals.
St. Birgitta of Sweden (1303-1373, canonized 1391) was one of the
most charismatic and influential female visionaries of the later
Middle Ages. Altogether, she received some 700 revelations, dealing
with subjects ranging from meditations on the human condition,
domestic affairs in Sweden, and ecclesiastical matters in Rome, to
revelations in praise of the Incarnation and devotion to the
Virgin. Her Revelations, collected and ordered by her confessors,
circulated widely throughout Europe and long after her death. Many
eminent individuals, including Cardinal Juan Torquemada, Jean
Gerson, and Martin Luther, read and commented on her writings,
which influenced the spiritual lives of countless individuals.
Birgitta was also the founder of a new monastic order, which still
exists today. She is the patron saint of Sweden, and in 2000 was
declared (with Catherine of Siena and Edith Stein) co-patroness of
Europe. Birgitta's Revelations present her as a commanding and
dauntless visionary who develops a contemplative mysticism that is
always interwoven with social engagement and a commitment to the
salvation of the world. The varied styles of her revelations are
dominated by frequent juxtapositions of memorable images and
allegories that illustrate her fierce and fertile imagination, her
sharp powers of observation and understanding, and her passionate
and receptive storytelling powers. This fourth and final volume of
the translation of the Revelations of St. Birgitta of Sweden,
comprises The Heavenly Emperor's Book to Kings, The Rule, and minor
works. While the complete collection of Birgitta's books-called
Liber caelistis-ends with Books VII, the eighth book was added
after her death. It was compiled by Alfonso of Jaen, and is
prefaced by his own treatise, titled The Hermits Letter to Kings,
which examines the ways in which revelations are tested and proven
to be true visions conferred by the Holy Spirit. The translation is
based on the recently completed critical edition of the Latin text
and promises to be the standard English translation of the
Revelations for years to come.
An account of the life and achievements of St Birgitta of Sweden,
one of the most charismatic figures in the late medieval mystical
tradition, founder of the Bridgettine order. St Birgitta of Sweden
was one of the most charismatic figures in the late medieval
mystical tradition. In Rome she succeeded in commanding prelates
and popes, and throughout the courts of Europe she engaged in
political secular intrigues; she married and produced eight
children, yet became the only woman in the fourteenth century to be
canonised; and in an age where new monastic foundations were
proscribed, she founded an order of her own devising, primarily for
women. This first modern biography presents an account of her
extraordinary life and achievements, placing the saint in the
context of the society from which she emerged, and showing how her
public voice and reforming zealwere informed by a private
spirituality at all stages of her life. Particular attention is
given to her most lasting achievement, the monastic foundation
which bears her name and has produced a network of communities
throughout Europe, active to the present day. BRIDGET MORRIS is
senior lecturer in Scandinavian studies at the University of Hull.
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