Elisabeth Hesselblad was a Swedish Catholic nun who lived from 1870 to 1957. Originally raised in a Lutheran household, she immigrated to the United States, where she worked as a nurse and eventually converted to Catholicism. She is most recognized for founding a new, active branch of the Bridgettine order, known as the Bridgettine Sisters, which focused on nursing the sick and promoting Christian unity. During the Second World War, she was also honored for her courageous efforts to protect Jewish people from the Holocaust.
Life and mission
After her conversion in Washington, D.C., Hesselblad moved to Rome to follow the tradition of Saint Bridget. She sought permission from the Holy See to revive the Bridgettine rule through a new congregation. This community, which included members from England and later India, focused on service and prayer. She established several foundations, including a house in Rome and a community in her native Sweden, while dedicating much of her time to caring for the poor.
War efforts
During the Second World War, Hesselblad was deeply involved in charitable works. She worked to support those suffering under racial laws and actively sought to promote peace between different religious groups. Her humanitarian actions during the Holocaust resulted in her being recognized as Righteous Among the Nations, as she successfully helped more than sixty Jewish individuals escape the genocide.
Veneration
The Catholic Church recognizes Hesselblad as a saint. Following a process that began in 1987, she was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2000. She was later canonized by Pope Francis in 2016 during a ceremony in Saint Peter's Square. Her feast day is observed on April 24.