Saint Birgitta of Sweden

Entrance Antiphon
Let us all rejoice in the Lord,
as we celebrate a festival in honour of Saint Birgitta,
at whose solemnity the angels rejoice
and sing praise to the Son of God.

Collect
O God who led Saint Birgitta along various paths of life, and wondrously taught her the wisdom of the Cross in the contemplation of the Passion of your Son, grant that we, by walking according to your call, may be able to seek you in all things.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

General Intercessions

For the Church of Christ in Rome, in Sweden,
and throughout the world;
that illumined by the example of Saint Birgitta,
she may announce to all men and women
the triumph of Love Crucified,
to the Lord we pray: Christ, hear us. R. Christ, graciously hear us.

For the leaders of the nations of Europe
and for all world leaders of good will;
that, helped by the intercession of Saint Birgitta,
they may seek always
the things that make for peace,
to the Lord we pray: Christ, hear us. R. Christ, graciously hear us.

For pilgrims,
for the sick, the poor, the homeless, and the lonely;
that they may find among Christians
the compassion and hospitality
that characterized Saint Birgitta in every phase of her life,
to the Lord we pray: Christ, hear us. R. Christ, graciously hear us.

For the religious of the Order of the Most Holy Saviour,
for their oblates and friends;
that they may be renewed in the spirit of Saint Birgitta,
their mother and guide,
to the Lord we pray: Christ, hear us. R. Christ, graciously hear us.

For ourselves;
that Saint Birgitta may assist us
and all who approach the altar today
to participate in the sacrifice of Christ,
our Crucified Love,
to the Lord we pray: Christ, hear us. R. Christ, graciously hear us.

Collect at the General Intercessions
Almighty and merciful God,
whose only-begotten Son
saved us by his bitter Passion
and, by the triumph of Love,
drew us even to yourself,
grant that we who rejoice in the holiness of Saint Birgitta,
may like her, seek peace and healing
in the contemplation of Love Crucified,
and remain constant in singing your praise
at the heart of the Church.
Through Christ our Lord.

Prayer Over the Offerings
Merciful Father,
who in Saint Birgitta
put an end to the old self
and created a new self in your image,
grant that we too may be renewed in spirit,
so as to be worthy of offering to you
this sacrifice of reconciliation.
Through Christ our Lord.

Preface
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Christ our Lord.
Christ called Saint Birgitta
to follow him in a life of pilgrimage and prayer,
and graced her abundantly
with the gifts of the Holy Spirit,
for the consolation of Christians,
the enlightenment of those in darkness,
and the renewal of his Bride, the Church.
In the contemplation of his Passion, she found life;
in the company of his Virgin Mother, she found peace;
in the service of the poor and suffering members of his Body,
she found surpassing joy.
And so, on this memorial of Saint Birgitta,
we celebrate your glory,
as with the court of heaven we sing your praise:

Communion Antiphon
You have loved justice and hated iniquity
therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness
above your fellows (Ps 44:8).

Postcommunion Prayer
Almighty God,
grant that, sustained by the force of this sacrament,
we may learn from the example of Saint Birgitta
to seek you above all things
so as to bear, while we are yet in this world,
the image of the new self.
Through Christ our Lord.