Meet the Middle Ages
BackMaster Matthew
Master M was a priest with great influence on the Church in medieval Sweden. He was close to St. Birgitta. Among other things, he took her revelations down in writing.
During the Middle Ages, rich people often had a priest of their own who was a member of their household. Birgitta Birgersdotter and Ulf Gudmarsson had such a living-in-priest. He was Birgitta´s first confessor and he was called M, later Master M.
Master M. Was a learned man. He had studied at the University of Paris, taking the highest degree possible - a master ´s degree in Divinity. When he returned to Sweden, he became a priest in the Cathedral of Linköping. Matthew wrote several books, for example instruction-books for preachers and a large Biblical dictionary.
Master M. was very important to Birgitta. He gave her religious instruction, and answered many of her questions about Christianity. According to Birgitta ´s first revelation, M. was told by Christ to teach Birgitta the difference between Good and Evil. M. wrote down Birgitta ´s visions and expressed his firm belief in them. In an enthusiastic preface to the first book of her revelations, he explained that the Lord himself spoke through Birgitta.
Master M. died around 1350. The year before, Birgitta had left for Rome, where she stayed for the rest of her life. Her confessor on this journey was Peter from Skänninge. After his death, Master M. was worshipped as a saint.