This branch was founded by Swedish nurse Elisabeth Hesselblad in 1911. The branch has now more than 50 convents, in Sweden, India, Mexico, Cuba, Philippines, USA, Finland, Estonia and Germany. The convent in Turku was founded in 1986. Now the convent has 9 sisters, prioress is mother Bernabé. Sisters come from India, Mexico and Italy. The Swedish branch has 2 Finnish sisters, sr. Marja-Liisa (Rome) and sr. Irenea (Rome). The mother convent of the Order is in Rome, where also two other convents are situated. There is also a Bridgettine convent in Naples, Italy. The greatest number of convents is, however, situated in India.
The Bridgettine Sisters keep and practice those devotions which were particularly dear to Saint Bridget. Contemplation and Veneration of the Humanity of the Word, filial devotion to the Mother of God; meditation on the Passion of our Lord and Crucial Christ. These devotions, together with the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, are the hallmarks of their piety. The Charisma of Mother Elisabeth can be summed up by the following three words: “Contemplation, Adoration and Reparation”.
As regards the Monastic tradition, the Bridgettine sisters’ chief obligation is Liturgical prayer, singing the daily Divine Office. The sisters take part daily in Holy Mass and there is Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every day. Central to the sisters’ work is the hospitality (in Guest Houses) , answering the needs of many pilgrims. The Bridgettine sisters have a special mission furthering Ecumenical work and the sisters are happy to receive guests from other Christian communities. They also arrange conferences and retreats.
In addition, the Order undertakes missionary, charitable and social work in co-operation with the local Church. In some houses the sisters also work as catechists, run nursery schools, orphanages and provide homes for students and old people. The Bridgettine sisters are established in three continents, in 53 houses.
