Saint Ingrid of Skänninge

Ingrid of Skänninge (died 9 September 1282) was a Swedish prioress. She founded Skänninge Abbey, a nunnery belonging to the Order of Preachers, in 1272. Her feast day is on 2 September.

Life Ingrid was the daughter of Elof, a nobleman from Östergötland. She was a member of the family Elofssönernas ätt, and belonged to the elite of the Swedish nobility. She had at least two brothers, Anders and Johan, the latter of whom was a knight of the Teutonic Order. Her niece, Kristina Johansdotter (d. 1293), was the first spouse of Birger Persson, who became the father of Bridget of Sweden in his second marriage. It is believed that Ingrid was an inspiration of Bridget.

Ingrid married a nobleman referred to as Sir Sigge, who likely died in 1271. After being widowed, Ingrid and her sister Kristina became a part of a circle of pious females around the Dominican friar Petrus de Dacia in Skänninge. In one of his letters, Petrus de Dacia has left a description of the ascetic life style and mystic revelations of one of his "spiritual daughters" in this circle of women, which likely refers to Ingrid.

In 1272, this circle of women formed a convent under the leadership of Ingrid by adopting the habit of the Dominicans and practising its rules.