Bridget
the name of two saints in the Roman Catholic Church. The first, better known as St. Bride, was born in Ireland about the end of the 5th century. She was exceedingly beautiful, and to avoid offers of marriage and other temptations, implored God to render her ugly, which prayer was granted. An order of nuns of St. Bride was established, which continued to flourish for centuries. St. Bride was held in great reverence in Scotland. The second St. Bridget, or more properly Birgit or Brigitte, was the daughter of a Swedish prince, born about 1302, and died at Rome in 1373, on her return from a pilgrimage to Palestine. She left a series of mystic writings which were pronounced inspired by Gregory XI. and Urban VI. Her youngest daughter, Catherine, was also canonized, and became the patron saint of Sweden.