Angeli et amici: In festis S. Birgittae Viduae

Many people are quite familiar with the diminutive devotional paperback prayer pamphlet with the pious picture of Michelangelo's Pieta which leads off with the (sometimes simultaneously) inspirational and infamous Magnificent Fifteen Prayers of Saint Bridget of Sweden. Of course any contentious controversy can be quietly and quickly definitively dispelled by flipping open a convenient copy of the Acta Apostolicae Sedis and looking up the following Monitum from the Congregation of the Holy Office: In aliquibus locis divulgatum est opusculum quoddam, cui titulus "SECRETUM FELICITATIS - Quindecim orationes a Domino S. Birgittae in ecclesia S. Pauli, Romae, revelatae", Niceae ad Varum (et alibi), variis linguis editum. Cum vero in eodem libello asseratur S. Birgittae quasdam promissiones a Deo fuisse factas, de quarum origine supernaturali nullo modo constat, caveant Ordinarii locorum ne licentiam concedant edendi vel denuo impremendi opuscula vel scripta quae praedictas promissiones continent. Datum Romae, ex Aedibus S. Officii, die 28 Ianuarii 1954.

In some places, a certain little work has been disseminated called the "Secret of Happiness: 15 Prayers Revealed by the Lord to St. Bridget in the Church of St. Paul at Rome", published at Nice and various other places in several languages. Since it is asserted in this pamphlet that God made to St. Bridget certain promises, whose supernatural origin in no way stands up, let local ordinaries take care not to grant permission for publishing or reprinting pamphlets or other writings which contain these aforementioned promises. Given at Rome, from the offices of the Holy Office, 28 , January 1954. 

All this rabid research sure gives one a holy hankering for some satisfying snacking.

The Order of the Most Holy Savior founded in the year 1370 by St. Birgitta of Sweden, which keeps (along with the Extraordinary Form) the eighth of October as the feast of the Mother Foundress on the anniversary of her 1391 canonization by Pope Boniface IX, follows a style of life that is monastic, according to the Rule of St. Augustine, and given to prayer, contemplation and withdrawal from the mainstream of the activities of society. The life of a Brigittine Monk has its strength in the spirit of the intimate union with Christ through the daily prayers which the community offers for itself and for all mankind, especially for the unity of all Christians. Following an ancient Brigittine tradition, the community also carries on a continual crusade of prayer for the souls in purgatory and the conversion of sinners. The Community attempts to be self supporting by work done at the monastery and not engaging in types of work that may not be done within the enclosure. 

In the Monastery located in the lush Willamette Valley in Oregon, the monks quietly go about producing some of the most delicious candy in the world. They blend the finest quality ingredients including real chocolate, fresh dairy butter, real cream, the freshest nuts, and real flavors. Their Gourmet Confections have received hundreds of accolades from candy experts and customers alike. Numerous journalistic outlets, including the ABC Nightly News, CNN, Town and Country Magazine, Bon Appetit, People magazine, US News and World Report, Chocolatier, and The New York Times have featured their candy.

So remember to save me a Chocolate Amaretto Royale Truffle when you order from: The Brigittine Monks - Priory of Our Lady of Consolation 23300 Walker Lane Amity, Oregon 97101  (fudge@brigittine.org).

And here you thought I was going to expostulate on Swedish meatballs! 

Mr. Screwtape