Why pilgrims come
A sacred place worth the journey.
The medieval mother church of the Bridgettine Order and a living pilgrimage destination whose choir holds a reliquary containing remains attributed by the custodian to St. Bridget and her daughter St. Catherine.
The pilgrim’s guide
What makes this visit meaningful
Vadstena is the Nordic collection's clearest Catholic pilgrimage center: St. Bridget's abbey church, relics, the modern Pilgrim Center, and today's Catholic Bridgettine convent all occupy one sacred town. Keep the medieval church's present Church of Sweden custody distinct from the nearby Roman Catholic sisters and guesthouse.
Bridget and Catherine reliquary
Pray near the historic reliquary while preserving the custodian's exact attribution wording.
Bridgettine mother church
Read the deliberately plain, strong architecture through St. Bridget's monastic vision.
A living pilgrim town
Connect the medieval destination with today's marked ways, Pilgrim Center, and Catholic sisters.
Feasts, anniversaries & celebrations