Abstract
Summary: The image of St. Birgitta in the liturgy
Since the liturgy was the principal locus for the commemoration of Birgitta in the Middle Ages, the image which liturgical texts conveyed of her is of considerable interest. The essay analyzes the two offices in honour of Birgitta written by Archbishop Birger Gregersson (1367-1383) and Bishop Nils Hermansson (1374-1391,). First, what may be called stock themes, applicable to any saint, are rehearsed. These include love of God, the way of the saint "per aspera ad astra", compunction, ascesis and the particular devotion to the humanity of Jesus which is characteristic of the Later Middle Ages. Second, the themes proper to these particular offices are presented. Birger is found to depict Birgitta as a saint for all classes and stations of life, a truly universal saint who, for this very reason, is also the glory of the Swedish nation. Nils, on the other hand, emphasizes Birgitta's message, in particular her revealing the Virgin Mary, as much in her own person as in her Revelations. On the formal level, Birger's office displays classical elegance while that of Nils is somewhat uneven, but more lyrical and more original in structure.
Since the liturgy was the principal locus for the commemoration of Birgitta in the Middle Ages, the image which liturgical texts conveyed of her is of considerable interest. The essay analyzes the two offices in honour of Birgitta written by Archbishop Birger Gregersson (1367-1383) and Bishop Nils Hermansson (1374-1391,). First, what may be called stock themes, applicable to any saint, are rehearsed. These include love of God, the way of the saint "per aspera ad astra", compunction, ascesis and the particular devotion to the humanity of Jesus which is characteristic of the Later Middle Ages. Second, the themes proper to these particular offices are presented. Birger is found to depict Birgitta as a saint for all classes and stations of life, a truly universal saint who, for this very reason, is also the glory of the Swedish nation. Nils, on the other hand, emphasizes Birgitta's message, in particular her revealing the Virgin Mary, as much in her own person as in her Revelations. On the formal level, Birger's office displays classical elegance while that of Nils is somewhat uneven, but more lyrical and more original in structure.
| Original language | Swedish |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Heliga Birgitta: budskapet och förebilden |
| Editors | Alf Härdelin, Mereth Lindgren |
| Publisher | Kungliga Vitterhets- historie- och antikvitetsakademien |
| Pages | 299-310 |
| Volume | 28 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-91-7402-232-2 |
| Publication status | Published - 1993 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Publication series
| Name | |
|---|---|
| Volume | 28 |
| ISSN (Print) | 0348-1433 |
Bibliographical note
The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015.The record was previously connected to the following departments: Centre for Theology and Religious Studies (015017000)
Subject classification (UKÄ)
- Philosophy, Ethics and Religion
Free keywords
- Nils Hermansson (bishop of Linköping)
- Divine Office
- Birger Gregersson (archbishop of Uppsala)
- St. Birgitta of Sweden