St Brigid of Kildare, Mhuire na nGael, Patroness of Ireland

February 1st in Ireland is the first day of Spring and is dedicated to St Brigid of Kildare.Saint Brigid is renowned for her hospitality, almsgiving and care of the sick. Known as Mhuire na nGael (Mary of the Irish), she is a popular saint in Ireland and her feast day is celebrated as the first day of Spring (even if meteorologically speaking it is not for another few weeks for the official start of Spring).

Tradition holds she lived 452AD-524AD as is know in tradition and affection of the Irish as Mary of the Gael. She is said to be the patroness of babies; blacksmiths; boatmen; cattle; chicken farmers; children whose parents are not married; children whose mothers are mistreated by the children's fathers; Clan Douglas; dairymaids; dairy workers; fugitives; infants; Ireland; Leinster, mariners; midwives; milk maids; nuns; poets; poor; poultry farmers; poultry raisers; printing presses; sailors; scholars; travellers; watermen.

From the Intercom magazine archives, Mgr Raymond Murray gives us the history of the saint affectionately known as ‘Muire na nGael’. You can find the article HERE.

Over the years we have done quite a few posts, reflections etc on the blog about St Brigid which are available HERE.

Artist and folklorist Michael Fortune explores the folklore and customs surrounding St. Brigid's Day, which takes place on February 1st, complete with the voices and stories of people from all over Ireland and is shown on RTE at St Brigid and the Coming of the Spring.

From Michael's Facebook:

Brigid, abbess, co-patron of Ireland

A saint is a follower of Christ whom we look to for inspiration and for support. Often we know little of the details of their daily lives, but that is unimportant. What we do know is that they trusted God. We know their trust was honoured and that they offer us in a story or an event – the inspiration to lead better Christian lives.

Brigid was born in Ireland in a time when it wasn’t easy to be an independent girl. Nevertheless she managed to be clear about her ideas and strong in her actions. She was able to step out of cultural expectations, to know and follow truth, and to make a difference to those around her. Brigid teaches young women that strength is a virtue.

She was known for her generosity. Interesting in our ‘winners only’ world, to consider that one can be both successful and generous – that it’s not a choice. Brigid reminds us that a charitable heart and a clear vision are a good thing in followers of Jesus Christ.

Brigid asked for what she needed, and said no to what was not right for her. She led her people, creating a home and monastery for many; equal to the men around her. Brigid reminds us that God created us all for a definite purpose, and to do some definite good.

Brigid’s story has become encased in myth, speculation and exaggeration. What remains are stories of how God worked in and through her life, images of rushes formed into crosses, of an abbey and a cow and a cloak that grew. Through it all, she disappears and the light of Christ is revealed. Brigid reminds us that what matters is not our biography, but our willingness to risk it all - to lose ourselves in Christ.

One of my favourite times of the year is February 1st, and as I await the turn of the year, two images inspire me. First, I often hum Luka Blooms song as the cold January days reach out in hope of spring:

Out of the cold, dark winter space
We come together, looking for Brigid’s grace
We dip our open hands deep into the well
Where our rivers run to
Who can tell, who can tell?
We warm our hearts and faces
In the heat of the burning flame
Something about our spirit
Never stays the same

Don’t be afraid of the light that shines within you
Don’t be afraid of the light that shines within you…

Let the light protect you ~ Don’t be afraid of the light that shines within you… Let the light direct you ~ Don’t be afraid of the light that shines within you… Don’t be afraid ~ Don’t be afraid of the light that shines within you…The light that shines within you

© 2008 Luka Bloom (IMRO/MCPS Ireland)

And when the day arrives, I always laugh and think of the lake of beer! I think of Brigid, strong and brave, clear thinking and kind. Brigid, prayerful and powerful, leader and servant. Brigid, pouring out love and hope and healing at the start of the spring. She inspires me to be all I can be and more.

St. Brigid's Lake of Beer
Br. Mickey McGrath, OSFS
(Source)

Saint Brigid's Prayer - A lake of Beer

I'd like to give a lake of beer to God. 
I'd love the Heavenly 
Host to be tippling there 
For all eternity.

I'd love the men of Heaven to live with me, 
To dance and sing.
If they wanted, I'd put at their disposal
Vats of suffering.

White cups of love I’d give them, 
With a heart and a half;
Sweet pitchers of mercy I'd offer
To every man.

I'd make Heaven a cheerful spot, 
Because the happy heart is true.
I'd make the men contented for their own sake
I'd like Jesus to love me too.

I'd like the people of heaven to gather
From all the parishes around,
I'd give a special welcome to the women,
The three Marys of great renown.

I'd sit with the men, the women of God
There by the lake of beer
We'd be drinking good health forever
And every drop would be a prayer.

St Brigid let the light shine from within her and it changed her world

May we be inspired to let the light of Christ too shine forth from our lives this spring.

That kindness and hope might flourish with the daffodils this spring

1st February 2018 - Feast of St Bridget

On the Irish calendar February 1st is the feast day of St Brigid of Kildare, patroness of Ireland along with St Patrick and St Colm Cille.

Known as Mhuire na nGael (Mary of the Irish), she is a popular saint in Ireland and her feast day is celebrated as the first day of Spring (even if meteorologically it is not for another few weeks for the official start of Spring).

Tradition holds she lived 452AD-524AD as is know in tradition and affection of the Irish as Mary of the Gael. She is said to be the patroness of babies; blacksmiths; boatmen; cattle; chicken farmers; children whose parents are not married; children whose mothers are mistreated by the children's fathers; Clan Douglas; dairymaids; dairy workers; fugitives; infants; Ireland; Leinster, mariners; midwives; milk maids; nuns; poets; poor; poultry farmers; poultry raisers; printing presses; sailors; scholars; travellers; watermen.

Previous blog posts about St Bridget HERE.

1st February 2017 - Feast of St Bridget of Kildare

St Bridget of Kildare
by Richard King

February 1st is the feast day of St Brigid of Kildare, patroness of Ireland along with St Patrick and St Colm Cille. Known as Mhuire na nGael (Mary of the Irish), she is a popular saint in Ireland and her feast day is celebrated as the first day of Spring (even if meteorologically it is not for another few weeks for the official start of Spring). 

Tradition holds she lived 452AD-524AD as is know in tradition and affection of the Irish as Mary of the Gael. She is said to be the patroness of babies; blacksmiths; boatmen; cattle; chicken farmers; children whose parents are not married; children whose mothers are mistreated by the children's fathers; Clan Douglas; dairymaids; dairy workers; fugitives; infants; Ireland; Leinster, mariners; midwives; milk maids; nuns; poets; poor; poultry farmers; poultry raisers; printing presses; sailors; scholars; travellers; watermen

You can also read about St Brigid in our previous posts on the blog which have history, various depictions of the saint, links to reflections, prayers & litanies.

Resources from weekly LDPC resource newsletter:

Some background HERE, Some Prayers HERE, personal reflection HERE, Resources for school and children HERE, A video for making a St Brigids Cross is HERE. Our Limerick resource page is HERE

1st February 2016 - Feast of St Brigid of Kildare, patronness of Ireland

Today is the feast day of St Brigid of Kildare, patroness of Ireland along with St Patrick and St Colm Cille. Known as Mhuire na nGael (Mary of the Irish), she is a popular saint in Ireland and her feast day is celebrated as the first day of Spring (even if meteorologically it is not for another few weeks for the official start of Spring).

Two very interesting and scholarly blogs which we would recommend for learning the story of St Brigid (and other Irish saints) are Omnium Sanctorum Hiberniae and also Trias Thaumaturga

Tradition holds she lived 452AD-524AD as is know in tradition and affection of the Irish as Mary of the Gael. She is said to be the patroness of babies; blacksmiths; boatmen; cattle; chicken farmers; children whose parents are not married; children whose mothers are mistreated by the children's fathers; Clan Douglas; dairymaids; dairy workers; fugitives; infants; Ireland; Leinster, mariners; midwives; milk maids; nuns; poets; poor; poultry farmers; poultry raisers; printing presses; sailors; scholars; travellers; watermen

You can also read about St Brigid in our previous posts on the blog which have history, various depictions of the saint, links to reflections, prayers & litanies.






St Brigid of Kildare - Richard King





Merciful God,
origin and reward of all charity,
you called Saint Brigid to teach the new commandment of love
through her life of hospitality and her care of the needy;
give to your people, by her intercession, a generous spirit,
so that, with hearts made pure,
we may show your love to all.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever

Amen

In liturgical iconography and statuary Saint Brigid is often depicted holding a reed cross, a crozier of the sort used by abbots, and a lamp (called a "lamp of learning and wisdom", as lamps and fire were regarded sacred to the Celts and druids). Early hagiographers portray Saint Brigid's life and ministry as touched with fire. Brigid also founded a school of art, including metal work and illumination, over which Conleth presided. The Kildare scriptorium produced the Book of Kildare, which elicited high praise from Giraldus Cambrensis, but which has disappeared since the Reformation. According to Giraldus, nothing that he had ever seen was at all comparable to the book, every page of which was gorgeously illuminated, and he concludes by saying that the interlaced work and the harmony of the colours left the impression that "all this is the work of angelic, and not human skill".

 

May God, who in Saint Brigid has provided an outstanding example of generosity: make your ears be ever open to the cry of the poor.

May you who greet Saint Brigid as Mary of the Gael receive from Jesus, Son of Mary, the reward promised to the pure of heart.

May God fill you with his love, as you honour Saint Brigid, whose heart and mind became a throne of rest for the Holy Spirit.

R/. Amen.

How to make a St Brigid’s Cross

 

Gabhaim Molta Bríghde (I Give Praise to Saint Brigid).

A beautiful song sung in Irish by Aoife Ní Fhearraigh which gives praise to Saint Brigid of Kildare, one of the three patron saints of Ireland.

Lyrics:
Gabhaim molta Bríghde, iníon í le hÉireann
I give praise to Brigid, daughter of Ireland

Iníon le gach tír í, molaimís go léir í.
Daughter of all lands, let us praise her.

Lóchrann geal na Laighneach, soils' ar feadh na tíre
The bright torch of Leinster, shining across the country

Ceann ar óigheacht Éireann, ceann na mban ar míne.
The leader of Ireland's youth, leader of gentle women.

Tig an Geimhreadh dian dubh, gearra lena géire
The house of Winter is dark, cutting with its sharpness

Ach ar lá le Bríghde, gar dúinn Earrach Éireann.
But on Brigid's Day, Spring in Ireland draws near to us.

Gabhaim molta Bríghde, iníon í le hÉireann
I give praise to Brigid, daughter of Ireland

Iníon le gach tír í, molaimís go léir í.
Daughter of all lands, let us praise her.

St Bridget's Day - February 1st

Source

 Merciful God,
origin and reward of all charity,
you called Saint Brigid to teach the new commandment of love
through her life of hospitality and her care of the needy;
give to your people, by her intercession, a generous spirit,
so that, with hearts made pure,
we may show your love to all.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever

Amen

 

May God, who in Saint Brigid has provided an outstanding example of generosity: make your ears be ever open to the cry of the poor.

May you who greet Saint Brigid as Mary of the Gael receive from Jesus, Son of Mary, the reward promised to the pure of heart.

May God fill you with his love, as you honour Saint Brigid, whose heart and mind became a throne of rest for the Holy Spirit.

R/. Amen.

For lectio and reflection on the text of the readings of the day are available HERE.
 
You can read more about the feast day HERE.

St. Brigid’s Prayer

 

I’d like to give a lake of beer to God.
I’d love the Heavenly
Host to be tippling there
For all eternity.

I’d love the men of Heaven to live with me,
To dance and sing.
If they wanted, I’d put at their disposal
Vats of suffering.

White cups of love I”d give them,
With a heart and a half;
Sweet pitchers of mercy I’d offer
To every man.

I’d make Heaven a cheerful spot,
Because the happy heart is true.
I’d make the men contented for their own sake
I’d like Jesus to love me too.

I’d like the people of heaven to gather
From all the parishes around,
I’d give a special welcome to the women,
The three Marys of great renown.

I’d sit with the men, the women of God
There by the lake of beer
We’d be drinking good health forever
And every drop would be a prayer

February 1st - St Bridget of Ireland - UPDATED

St Brigid of Ireland by Richard King

 

Rather than reposting the same thing (after all there are only so many ways we can relate Bridget's story) please have a look at our previous posts on this great Irish festival of faith:

• Jan 30th 2012 - Feast of St Bridget of Ireland
• Febraury 1st 2011 - Feast of St Bridget - Muire na nGael - Secondary Patron of Ireland
• Jan 30th 2011 - St Brigid (452-524) Mary of the Gael
• Communion Reflection for St Bridget's Day 

Other links:

• St Brigid of Ireland
• Brigid, Abbess of Kildare
• Links for the celebration provided by Limerick Diocese weekly newsletter
• Diocese of Killaloe Resources

This old litany is of unknown origin.

Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.  
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.  
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Queen of virgins, Pray for us.
Saint Brigid, Pray for us.
Mary of the Gael, Pray for us.
St. Brigid, Patroness of Ireland, Pray for us.
St. Brigid, shining light of virtue and sanctity, Pray for us.
St. Brigid, consecrated spouse of Jesus Christ, Pray for us.
St. Brigid, foundress of Kildare, Pray for us.
St. Brigid, cornerstone of the monastic institute in the Isle of Saints, Pray for us. 
St. Brigid, great model of Irish virgins, Pray for us.
St. Brigid, mother of religious, Pray for us.
St. Brigid, pattern of religious perfection, Pray for us.
St. Brigid, intercessor for the Irish Church, Pray for us.
St. Brigid, mediatrix for the Irish race, Pray for us.
St. Brigid, protectress of the holy faith planted by Saint Padrig, Pray for us.
St. Brigid, enjoying with him the clear vision of God, Pray for us. 
St. Brigid, whose one desire was to satisfy the poor, drive out hardship, and spare every miserable man, Pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: Spare us, O Lord.  
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: Graciously hear us, O Lord.  
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: Have mercy on us, O Lord.Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

V. Pray for us, O glorious Saint Brigid  
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

O God, Who dost rejoice with the memory of the blessed Saint Brigid, Thy virgin and abbess, mercifully grant that we may be assisted by her merits, by whose chastity we are illumined.
Through Jesus Christ Thy Son Our Lord.

R. Amen.

UPDATE:

Ever wondered how to make a St Bridget's Cross?



Details of Feile Bride available HERE

February 1st - Feast of St Bridget of Ireland

February 1st is in Ireland the feast day of a beloved saint, Bridget of Kildare and is viewed as the start of Spring and the beginning of the new agricultural year. St Bridget's day honours our second national patron saint after St Patrick and gives her due honour.
Tradition holds she lived 452AD-524AD as is know in tradition and affection of the Irish as Mary of the Gael. She is said to be the patroness of babies; blacksmiths; boatmen; cattle; chicken farmers; children whose parents are not married; children whose mothers are mistreated by the children's fathers; Clan Douglas; dairymaids; dairy workers; fugitives; infants; Ireland; Leinster, mariners; midwives; milk maids; nuns; poets; poor; poultry farmers; poultry raisers; printing presses; sailors; scholars; travellers; watermen

Pious tradition holds she took her vows from Saint Mel of Ardagh (nephew of St Patrick), who also granted her abbatial powers. She followed Saint Mel into the Kingdom of Teathbha, which is made up of sections of modern Meath, Westmeath and Longford. This occurred about 468. Brigid is known for being the only “female bishop” of the early church. It is said that upon receiving her vows Saint Mel was inspired by God to make her a bishop. Brigid's small oratory at Cill-Dara (Kildare) became a center of religion and learning, and developed into a cathedral city. She founded two monastic institutions, one for men, and the other for women, and appointed Saint Conleth as spiritual pastor of them. It has been frequently stated that she gave canonical jurisdiction to Saint Conleth, Bishop of Kildare, but, as Archbishop Healy points out, she simply "selected the person to whom the Church gave this jurisdiction", and her biographer tells us distinctly that she chose Saint Conleth "to govern the church along with herself". Thus, for centuries, Kildare was ruled by a double line of abbot-bishops and of abbesses, the Abbess of Kildare being regarded as superior general of the monasteries in Ireland. Brigid also founded a school of art, including metal work and illumination, over which Conleth presided. The Kildare scriptorium produced the Book of Kildare, which elicited high praise from Giraldus Cambrensis, but which has disappeared since the Reformation. According to Giraldus, nothing that he had ever seen was at all comparable to the book, every page of which was gorgeously illuminated, and he concludes by saying that the interlaced work and the harmony of the colours left the impression that "all this is the work of angelic, and not human skill". Brigid is at times known as "the Patroness of Ireland" and "Queen of the South: the Mary of the Gael" by a writer in the "Leabhar Breac". Brigid died leaving a cathedral city and school that became famous all over Europe. In addition, Brigid is highly venerated by many Eastern Orthodox Christians as one of the great Western saints before the schism between the Eastern and Western Churches. Her feast day, as in the West, is February 1, although churches following the Julian calendar (as in many Orthodox countries) celebrate her feast on February 14, the corresponding date on the Julian calendar. Her body was found with those of Saints Patrick and Columba, in a triple vault in Down-Patrick, in 1185, as Giraldus Cambrensis informs us: they were all three translated to the cathedral of the same city; but their monument was destroyed in the reign of King Henry VIII.

The blog Under the Oak has a great devotion to St Bridget and has some further posts about:

• The translation of the relics of St Bridget to Lisbon Portugal and their return to Ireland
• Some of the traditions associated with St Bridgets Day and the eve of the day including the threshold rite
• A piece on the continuing tradition of the making of St Bridget's Crosses
• St Bridget's Belt - a special form of the cross associated with Galway
• And a short piece about the eternal flame at Kildare associated with Bridget.

Other Resources for St Bridgets Day:

• Limerick Diocese
• Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin including a podcast
• Philomena Ewing over at Blue Eyed Ennis has two posts which have a wonderful round up of the interconnectedness of the Celtic feast of Imbolc and St Bridget.
• Sacred Space 102fm posts about St Bridget from last year here and here

February 1st - Feast of St Bridget - Muire na nGael - Secondary Patron of Ireland

February 1st is in Ireland the feast day of a beloved saint, Bridget of Kildare and is viewed as the start of Spring and the beginning of the new agricultural year. St Bridget's day honours our second national patron saint after St Patrick and gives her due honour.

Tradition holds she lived 452AD-524AD as is know in tradition and affection of the Irish as Mary of the Gael. She is said to be the patroness of babies; blacksmiths; boatmen; cattle; chicken farmers; children whose parents are not married; children whose mothers are mistreated by the children's fathers; Clan Douglas; dairymaids; dairy workers; fugitives; infants; Ireland; Leinster, mariners; midwives; milk maids; nuns; poets; poor; poultry farmers; poultry raisers; printing presses; sailors; scholars; travellers; watermen

Pious tradition holds she took her vows from Saint Mel of Ardagh (nephew of St Patrick), who also granted her abbatial powers. She followed Saint Mel into the Kingdom of Teathbha, which is made up of sections of modern Meath, Westmeath and Longford. This occurred about 468. Brigid is known for being the only “female bishop” of the early church. It is said that upon receiving her vows Saint Mel was inspired by God to make her a bishop. Brigid's small oratory at Cill-Dara (Kildare) became a center of religion and learning, and developed into a cathedral city. She founded two monastic institutions, one for men, and the other for women, and appointed Saint Conleth as spiritual pastor of them. It has been frequently stated that she gave canonical jurisdiction to Saint Conleth, Bishop of Kildare, but, as Archbishop Healy points out, she simply "selected the person to whom the Church gave this jurisdiction", and her biographer tells us distinctly that she chose Saint Conleth "to govern the church along with herself". Thus, for centuries, Kildare was ruled by a double line of abbot-bishops and of abbesses, the Abbess of Kildare being regarded as superior general of the monasteries in Ireland. Brigid also founded a school of art, including metal work and illumination, over which Conleth presided. The Kildare scriptorium produced the Book of Kildare, which elicited high praise from Giraldus Cambrensis, but which has disappeared since the Reformation. According to Giraldus, nothing that he had ever seen was at all comparable to the book, every page of which was gorgeously illuminated, and he concludes by saying that the interlaced work and the harmony of the colours left the impression that "all this is the work of angelic, and not human skill". Brigid is at times known as "the Patroness of Ireland" and "Queen of the South: the Mary of the Gael" by a writer in the "Leabhar Breac". Brigid died leaving a cathedral city and school that became famous all over Europe. In addition, Brigid is highly venerated by many Eastern Orthodox Christians as one of the great Western saints before the schism between the Eastern and Western Churches. Her feast day, as in the West, is February 1, although churches following the Julian calendar (as in many Orthodox countries) celebrate her feast on February 14, the corresponding date on the Julian calendar. Her body was found with those of Saints Patrick and Columba, in a triple vault in Down-Patrick, in 1185, as Giraldus Cambrensis informs us: they were all three translated to the cathedral of the same city; but their monument was destroyed in the reign of King Henry VIII.


The blog Under the Oak has a great devotion to St Bridget and has some further posts about:

• The translation of the relics of St Bridget to Lisbon Portugal and their return to Ireland
• Some of the traditions associated with St Bridgets Day and the eve of the day including the threshold rite
• A piece on the continuing tradition of the making of St Bridget's Crosses
• St Bridget's Belt - a special form of the cross associated with Galway
• And a short piece about the eternal flame at Kildare associated with Bridget.

St Brigid (452-524) Mary of the Gael

This article first appeared in The Messenger (February 2002), a publication of the Irish Jesuits.

Brigid of Kildare is a patroness of those who have a care for the earth, for justice and equality, for peace and she is a model for a contemplative life.
Brigidine sister Rita Minehan profiles her here.

A great resurgence of interest in all aspects of our Celtic heritage is leading many individuals and groups to rediscover – and draw inspiration from – the lives of the early Irish saints. St Brigid, the patroness of Ireland, is emerging as one whose life has relevance and inspiration for us as we try to face the issues that confront our country and our world at this time. When we look at the life of Brigid and at some of these issues we can see more clearly why she continues to be relevant to us today.

Carer of the earth


The feast of St Brigid on the first of February is a celebration of the wonderful springing back of the earth from its winter sleep. It is the season when we celebrate new beginnings and new life on earth. The sod is turned. The day lengthens. Seeds are sown and sails are hoisted.


Many of the stories about Brigid tell of her milking the cows, churning the milk, making up the firkins of butter, shepherding her flocks of sheep, helping with the harvest and even brewing the ale!


Brigid, in keeping with her Celtic traditions, was wonderfully attuned to the seasons and cycles of nature. She valued the elements of nature: earth, air, fire and water.


Light the fire


Today, we are becoming more aware of the fragility of our planet. Lands are becoming barren, skies fouled, waters poisoned. Many individuals and groups concerned about the environment draw inspiration from the reverence and respect which Brigid had for the land. She is often referred to as the Saint of Agriculture.


In a new hymn, composed by Fr Liam Lawton, Brigid is invoked ‘to heal our wounds and green our earth again.’


‘A Life of Brigid’ (Vita Brigitae), composed by Cogitosus about 650 AD, places great emphasis on Brigid’s faith, her healing powers, her hospitality, her generosity, her great skill with animals, and her compassion for the poor and the oppressed. Twenty three of the thirty two chapters tell of her extraordinary concern for the poor. One of the Brigidine legends illustrates this very effectively.


Woman of compassion


One day when Brigid was on a long journey she stopped to rest by the wayside. A rich lady heard about this and brought her a beautiful basket of choice apples. No sooner had she received them than a group of very poor people came by and begged her for food. Without a moment’s hesitation, Brigid gave them the choice apples. The rich lady was utterly disgusted and she complained to Brigid, ‘I brought those apples for you, not for them.’ Brigid’s reply was: ‘What is mine is theirs.’


This Brigidine legend poses a challenge to all of us in terms of our world today, where forty-five thousand people die from hunger and hunger-related diseases every day and where twenty percent of the population own and consume about eighty percent of the earth’s resources.


The poverty gap continues to widen both within and between countries, as the rich grow richer and the poor grow poorer. This legend challenges us to work for a more equitable distribution of the world’s resources.


Model of equality


It is generally accepted that Brigid established her abbey and church in Kildare around 480 AD, on the site now occupied by St Brigid’s Cathedral. Brigid held a unique position in the Irish Church and society of her day. As Abbess, she presided over the local Church of Kildare and was leader of a double monastery for men and women.


Tradition suggests that she invited Conleth, a hermit from Old Connell near Newbridge, to assist her in Kildare. Cogitosus tells us that ‘they governed their Church by means of a mutually happy alliance.’


What emerges from many of these stories and legends about Brigid is the portrait of a strong and gentle woman, a powerful leader, a good organiser, a skilful healer and a wise spiritual guide. Brigid has become – for men as well as women – a potent symbol of Christian womanhood, showing us in so many different ways the feminine face of God.


Woman of peace


There was no lack of domestic strife in the Ireland of Brigid’s day, where feuds between clans were commonplace. She is often depicted as a peacemaker who intervened in disputes between rival factions and brought healing and reconciliation. Folklorists tell us that in some parts of Ireland a St Brigid’s cross was often used as a token of goodwill between neighbours, indicating a desire for peace and friendship after a local quarrel.


One of the best-known stories associated with St Brigid is that of her giving away her father’s precious sword to a poor man so that he could barter it for food to feed his family. Thus, a sword, a weapon of war, was transformed into a life-giving instrument. This story offers an important lesson for our world today where every minute thirteen million pounds is being spent on weapons of war. One wonders what links Brigid would make today between the massive expenditure on arms and the welfare of the poor people of the world?

Woman of contemplation


Brigid emerges as a woman of action in the stories, legends and poems about her. If one, however, were to seek the source from which she drew her strength and energy, one could probably find the answer in this story.


One day, Saint Brendan the Navigator stood on a cliff top and watched two whales engaging in fierce combat. Suddenly, the smaller whale, in a human voice, cried out for help not to Brendan but to Brigid, who was not even present. The cry was answered immediately, and the combat ceased. Brendan was puzzled as to why he had been ignored. ‘Do you always think about God?’ asked Brigid, when the two met. ‘Yes,’ replied Brendan, ‘except at times when my boat is caught in a storm at sea and I have to concentrate on keeping it afloat.’ ‘That’s the explanation,’ Brigid answered. ‘From the moment I first knew God I have never let him out of my mind, and I never shall.’


An old Irish poem, written in the seventh century, speaks of her contemplation of the Trinity:

Deeper than the seas,

Greater than words can express,

Three persons in one only God;

Overflowing with wonder.’

Woman of inspiration


Even today, poets, writers and artists still find inspiration in the symbols, customs and folklore surrounding Brigid. One writer recently referred to her as ‘the woman who, above all others, embodies the spirit of pre-Christian and Christian Ireland’. In a beautiful leadlight window in Kildare College Chapel, Holden Hill, South Australia (see image below) the artist depicts Brigid dancing the dance of the new life of creation, carrying the Spirit of Jesus into the twenty-first century. Many of the values associated with Brigid are captured in this delightful poem:

Lady, from winters dark,

Star of Imbolc, rise!

Dance around our threshold,

Scattering warm laughter,

Seeds of hospitality,

Tolerance, forgiveness!

Return again to the folk;

You the spring we yearn for!

What a lovely image to carry with us into the future!

Reflection for St Bridget's Day

COMMUNION REFLECTION FOR ST. BRIGID’S DAY

The following reflection is from the Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin.



Legend holds that Brigid made her first cross from rushes she picked from the floor as she visited a pagan chieftain who was dying. While sitting by his bed she began to weave the rushes into the shape of a cross and tell the stories of her Christian faith. The cross became a symbol of peace and protection, protection of animals and protection from fire and disease and a blessing for home and hearth. Crosses were exchanged too in times of clan feuds as a sign of reconciliation. From that time Irish people have never ceased to weave these crosses. These rushes represent our hopes, our dreams, our gifts and our efforts in working towards a more caring society.

Look. She is gathering the dreams to weave something new. She gathers our rushes of sorrow and gladness, of happiness and pain, tears and laughter, kindness and caring, of voluntary groups and organisations, of families, relations and friends, of schools and hospitals, of work and sport and recreation, and all the little words and deeds offered in hope, in faith and in love. She is weaving them all with loving hands into a new form, a richer and more beautiful creation.

God, too weaves patiently and persistently with the rushes of our lives. He invites us to keep offering him the shreds of our suffering and the stuff of our dreams and to take our place beside him to weave the shape of new creation.

To welcome the new with faith and courage.

To cherish all that has gone before,

To become an example of justice and peace,

Weaver God, accept, please do,

the offering of ourselves, our separate strands,

to be woven in and out, over, under and through.

Grant us eyes to see the whole, of which we are a part,

to see the tapestry you weave,

calling us beyond our aloneness and security,

to be surprised by miracles.

Oh, if we could but perceive

out of parts we weave a whole.

Rise with the road on your journey,

May Brigid bless you, possess you, caress you,

with her ever faithful love.

Rise with the road on your journey,

May Brigid hold you, enfold you, console you,

with her ever faithful love.

Further information about the celebrations of Féile Bhríde in the Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin can be found here.