Saint Ingrid of Sweden

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Saint Ingrid of Sweden
Feast Day	September 02
Liturgical Class
Patronage	Skänninge, Dominican nuns
Birthplace	Skänninge, Sweden
Death Place	Skänninge, Sweden
Cause of Death	Natural causes
Primary Shrine	Skänninge Convent Church, Skänninge, Sweden

Saint Ingrid of Sweden (c. 1220 – September 2, 1282) was a Christian saint and the first Dominican nun in Sweden, renowned for founding the Skänninge Convent. Born in Skänninge, she lived a life of piety and charity under the Diocese of Linköping. Her establishment of the first Dominican convent in Sweden marked a significant religious milestone. Canonized by pre-congregation recognition, her feast day on September 2 in the Roman Rite draws devotion to her relics in Skänninge, Sweden.

Saint Ingrid’s dedication to the Dominican Order and her convent’s legacy inspired Swedish spirituality. Her intercession is sought by Dominican nuns, and her influence endures through her convent’s historical significance.

Biography

Birth

Saint Ingrid of Sweden was born around 1220 in Skänninge, Sweden, to a noble family. Her birthplace, a prosperous town under the Diocese of Linköping, was part of medieval Sweden’s Christian heartland. Sweden’s growing Catholic culture shaped her faith.

Baptized in a local Parish, Ingrid was raised with a strong education and devotion. Her noble status positioned her for religious leadership.

Early Life

Growing up in Skänninge, Saint Ingrid married young but was widowed early, prompting her to pursue a religious life. She undertook pilgrimages to Jerusalem, Rome, and Santiago de Compostela, guided by the Diocese of Linköping. Inspired by Dominican spirituality, she joined the order c. 1270.

Her piety and leadership drew followers. Ingrid’s early life of pilgrimage and widowhood prepared her for her convent’s foundation.

Occupation

Saint Ingrid’s primary occupation was as a Dominican nun and prioress, leading the Skänninge Convent she founded c. 1281. Her duties included prayer, teaching, and charity, overseen by the Diocese of Linköping. She supported the poor and educated novices.

Her “occupation” included fostering Dominican life in Sweden. Her work reflected the Roman Rite’s call to preaching and service.

Vocation

Saint Ingrid’s vocation was her Dominican life, centered on establishing a religious community in Skänninge. She secured papal approval for her convent, strengthening the Diocese of Linköping. Her miracles, like healings, enhanced her reputation.

Her leadership inspired Swedish women to join the Dominicans. Ingrid’s vocation as a nun and founder made her a pioneer of Swedish monasticism.

Death

Saint Ingrid of Sweden met her end on September 2, 1282, dying of natural causes in Skänninge, Sweden, at about age 62. She passed peacefully in her convent, surrounded by her sisters. Her death was mourned by the Diocese of Linköping.

Her funeral drew locals, and miracles were reported at her tomb. Her relics in Skänninge Convent Church remain a pilgrimage site.

Significant events

• Undertook pilgrimages c. 1260.
• Joined Dominican Order c. 1270.
• Founded Skänninge Convent c. 1281.
• Died in Skänninge in 1282.

Significant locations

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Legend

• Birth location: Skänninge, Sweden
• Death location: Skänninge, Sweden
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Parishes

Saint Ingrid of Sweden
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Canonization

Servant of God

The process to recognize Saint Ingrid as a Servant of God was not formalized, as her sanctity was acknowledged by the early Church. Her miracles and convent’s impact were attested by tradition.

Venerable

Saint Ingrid was not declared Venerable, as her canonization predated this stage. Her heroic virtue was affirmed by her piety and leadership.

Beatification

Saint Ingrid did not undergo formal beatification due to pre-congregation canonization. Her miracles, like healing a woman, sufficed for veneration.

Canonization

Canonized by pre-congregation recognition, Saint Ingrid’s sainthood was affirmed by the early Church based on her miracles and holiness. Her universal veneration was established by the Roman Rite, with her feast day set for September 2.

Miracles

Miracle for beatification

No formal beatification miracle was recorded due to pre-congregation canonization. Tradition credits Saint Ingrid with healing a sick woman in Skänninge during her lifetime. The woman recovered after Ingrid’s prayers, a miracle attested by the Diocese of Linköping.

This event strengthened her reputation. It inspired devotion among her community.

Miracle for canonization

No formal canonization miracle was required, but a notable miracle involves the protection of her convent in Skänninge from a fire after her death. Prayers at her tomb extinguished the flames, a miracle verified by the Diocese of Linköping.

This miracle spread Saint Ingrid’s veneration, reinforcing her sainthood. Her convent became a pilgrimage site.

Other notable miracles

• Healing of a blind child in Linköping.
• Protection of pilgrims during a storm.

Patronage

Saint Ingrid of Sweden is the patron saint of Skänninge and Dominican nuns.

Feast day

Her feast day is celebrated on September 2 in the Roman Rite, honoring her life and legacy.

Veneration

Saint Ingrid is venerated through prayers, pilgrimages to her relics in Skänninge Convent Church, Skänninge, Sweden, and devotion among Dominican nuns. Her relics, including bones, are revered. She is depicted in art with a Dominican habit, notably in Swedish churches. Her life influences religious vocations.

Books

Written about the saint

• Saints of the Scandinavian Church
• Saints of Europe by TAN Books

Written by the saint

• No known writings attributed to Saint Ingrid of Sweden.

External links

• CatholicSaints.Info: Saint Ingrid of Sweden
• Catholic.org: St. Ingrid of Sweden
• AnastPaul: Saint of the Day