September 2

St. Ingrid of Sweden

St. Ingrid of Sweden

Early Life

Ingrid was born in Sweden to noble parents in the 13th century. Herfamily belonged to the Elofssönernas ätt, elite Swedish nobility. Herfather was named Elof. The family lived in a tiwb cab Skanninge.

Ingrid spent much of her early life under the spiritual direction of theDominican friar Peter of Dacia. His advice and example certainly helpedplant the seeds of her vocation.

Marriage

Ingrid married a Swedish nobleman at a young age. Her husband soon died.Similarly to St. Jane Frances de Chantel, after her husband died Ingridfelt called to the religious life.

Ingrid felt so strongly about following Jesus as a nun that she began togive away all her wealth and worldly possessions. She went onpilgrimages to the Holy Land, Rome, and Spain to ask for God’s guidance.Eventually, she felt certain God wanted her to be a Dominican like herspiritual director, Father Peter of Dacia.

Ingrid and the Dominicans

Under the guidance of Peter of Dacia, Ingrid, her sister, and otherpious women formed an informal convent. Eventually, Ingrid requestedformal recognition of her convent: St. Martin’s. She receivedrecognition for St. Martin’s, or Skänninge Abbey, one year before herdeath in 1282.

Ingrid was the very first Swedish woman to take the Dominican habit. Herdetermination established the very first Dominican convent in Sweden!

Cult and Canonization

After Ingrid’s death, many people venerated her remains and rememberedher devout life. Miracles began to occur at Ingrid’s tomb. Pilgrims camefrom across Sweden to venerate her remains and beg for her intercession.

The Swedish bishops decided to open the inquisition which wouldhopefully lead to Ingrid’s canonization.

Ingrid’s cause for canonization came before the Council of Constance. In1499, Pope Alexander VI agreed for her remains to be translated. A Massand office in honor of Ingrid were even composed.

But sadly, the Swedish Reformation shook the Catholic world. Ingrid’srelics were destroyed, along with her beloved abbey. As far as we know,she was never officially canonized, nor was her cause for canonizationever reopened.

Although Ingrid was never formally canonized, many Catholics continuedto venerate her. She has always been particularly popular in Sweden, hercountry of birth. Her feast day is listed on the liturgical calendar asSeptember 2nd.

5 Interesting Facts About St. Ingrid of Sweden

  1. Ingrid was the first Swedish Woman to take the Dominican habit.
  2. Ingrid founded the first Dominican convent in Sweden.
  3. Ingrid made pilgrimages to the Holy Land and Rome.
  4. Legend has it that Ingrid’s skull was stolen during the Reformation
    and later mistakenly displayed as the skull of Bridget of Sweden.
  5. Ingrid was distantly related by marriage to St. Bridge of Sweden.

Prayer to St. Ingrid of Sweden

Lord God, You showered heavenly gifts on Blessed Ingrid the Virgin. Helpus to imitate her virtues during our earthly life and enjoy eternalhappiness with her in heaven. Amen.

Contributed by [Good Books for CatholicKids]{.ul}