Saint Catherine of Sweden (1331-1381)

Saint Catherine of Sweden was one of eight children. Her mother was Saint Bridget of Sweden. She had an arranged marriage at the age of 13 to a religious German noble. On their wedding night, both Catherine and her husband took vows of chastity. The couple spent their years together performing works of charity. After becoming a widow, Catherine traveled to Rome to spend time with her devout mother. The two women made many pilgrimages, ministered to the poor, and lived lives guided by prayer and meditation. When her mother passed away, Catherine brought her body back to Sweden to be laid to rest at the convent of the Order of the Holy Savior. Catherine became superior of the order and wrote devotional works. Saint Catherine of Sweden is the patroness against abortions and miscarriages.