IT often happens that Christians
do not sufficiently reflect on the necessity of doing penance for the sins of
their youth: they must one day be atoned for by the most rigorous penance of
Purgatory. Such was the case with the Princess Gida, daughter-in-law of St.
Bridget, as we read in the “Lives of the Saints,” March 24, Life of St.Catherine.
St. Bridget was in Rome with her daughter, Catherine, when the latter had an
apparition of the soul of her sister-in-law, Gida, of whose death she was
ignorant. Being one day in prayer in the ancient basilica of St. Peter,
Catherine saw before her a woman dressed in a white robe and black mantle, and
who came to ask her prayers for a person who was dead. “It is one of your Country
women,& she added, who needs your
assistance. Her name? asked the saint.
It is the Princess Gida of Sweden, the wife of your brother Charles.
Catherine then begged the stranger to accompany her to her mother Bridget, to
impart to her the sad tidings. I am charged with a message for you alone, said
the stranger, and I am not allowed to make any other visits, for I must depart immediately.
You have no reason to doubt the truth of this fact; in a few days another
messenger will arrive from Sweden, bringing the gold crown of Princess Gida.
She has bequeathed it to you by testament, in order to secure the assistance of
your prayers; but extend to her from this very moment your charitable aid, for
she stands in most urgent need of your suffrages. With these words she
withdrew. Catherine would have followed her; but although her costume would
have easily distinguished her, she was nowhere to be seen. Struck and surprised
with this strange adventure, she hastened to return to her mother, and related
all that had happened. St. Bridget replied with a smile, It was your sister-in-law
Gida herself that appeared to you. Our Lord has been pleased to reveal this to
me. The dear departed died in the most consoling sentiments of piety ; that is
why she attained the favour of appearing to you asking your prayers. She has
still to expiate the numerous faults of her youth. Let us both do all in our
power to give her relief. The gold crown which she sends you imposes this
obligation upon you.
A few weeks later an officer
from the court of Prince Charles arrived in Rome, carrying the crown, and
believing himself to be the first to convey the tidings of the death of Princess
Gida. The beautiful crown was sold, and the money used for Masses and good
works for the repose of the soul of the deceased Princess.
