Saint Mary Elizabeth Hesselblad, also known as Maria Elizabetta Hesselblad, was born on June 4, 1870, in Faglavik, Alvsborg province, Sweden. She was the fifth of thirteen children born to Augusto Roberto Hesselblad and Cajsa Pettesdotter Dag. Raised in the Reformed Church of Sweden, Saint Mary Elizabeth's family faced economic hardships, leading to frequent moves. Seeking work to support her family, Saint Mary Elizabeth emigrated to New York at the age of 18. She studied nursing at Manhattan's Roosevelt Hospital, where she also worked as a nurse starting from 1888. Alongside her hospital duties, she devoted herself to home care for the sick and aged. During this time, her work brought her into contact with the large Catholic population in New York, igniting her interest in the Catholic Church. She came to see the Church as the closest place to Christ and made the decision to convert to Catholicism. On August 15, 1902, Saint Mary Elizabeth received conditional baptism at Washington from the Jesuit priest Giovani Hagen. This marked a significant turning point in her life, as she embarked on a journey of deep spiritual devotion and service to God. She made a pilgrimage to Rome, Italy later that year, where she received Confirmation and consecrated herself to a religious life. In 1904, Saint Mary Elizabeth settled at the Carmelite House of Saint Bridget of Sweden in Rome. There, she began working tirelessly to restore the Order of the Most Holy Saviour of Saint Bridget in both Sweden and Italy. Obtaining permission from Pope Pius X in 1906, she took the habit of the Brigittines and dedicated herself to the revitalization of the Order. Returning to her homeland of Sweden in 1923, Saint Mary Elizabeth ministered to the poor and sought to revitalize the Brigittine movement in the country. Her devotion and commitment caught the attention of Pope Pius XI, who granted her control of Rome's Brigittine house and church in 1931. In 1937, Saint Mary Elizabeth established Brigittine foundations in India, further spreading the influence of the Order. During World War II, she fearlessly saved Jews and other persecuted individuals by providing them with refuge in Rome. Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Remembrance Center in Israel, recognized her as one of the Righteous Among the Nations in 2004, acknowledging her heroic efforts in protecting innocent lives. Saint Mary Elizabeth Hesselblad passed away on April 24, 1957, in Rome, Italy, from natural causes. Her exemplary life of faith, service, and perseverance caught the attention of Pope John Paul II, who proclaimed her venerable on March 26, 1999. On April 9, 2000, Pope John Paul II beatified her in Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City, Rome. Finally, on June 5, 2016, she was canonized by Pope Francis, with her canonization celebrated in the same location. The canonization miracle involved the healing of a two-year-old child in 2005 in the diocese of Santa Clara, Cuba, through Saint Mary Elizabeth's intercession. Although Saint Mary Elizabeth Hesselblad does not have a designated patronage, her life serves as an inspiring example of devotion, compassion, and courage. Her works continue to be honored and celebrated by Catholics around the world, and her story reminds us of the profound impact one individual can make in the pursuit of justice and faith.
© 2025 Saint for a Minute