St Brigid of Ireland

Foundress. St Brigit of Kildare (or Brigid of Ireland) is one of Ireland's patron saints, along with Patrick and Columba.

Brigid is believed to have been born in Faughart, near Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland. Three biographies agree that her mother was Brocca, a Christian Pict and slave who had been baptised by Saint Patrick. They name her father as Dubhthach, a chieftain of Leinster. Several histories say Dubthach's wife forced him to sell her to a druid when she became pregnant. Brigid herself was born into slavery.

From her childhood she was known to be holy and showed great concern for the poor. She took the veil in her youth from St Macaille at Croghan and probably was professed by St Mel of Armagh, who is believed to have conferred abbatial authority on her.

She settled with seven nuns at the foot of Croghan Hill for a time and about the year 468, followed Mel to Meath. About the year 470 she founded a double monastery at Cill-Dara (Kildare) and was Abbess of the convent, the first in Ireland.

The foundation developed into a center of learning and spirituality, and around it grew up the Cathedral city of Kildare. She founded a school of art at Kildare and its illuminated manuscripts became famous, notably the Book of Kildare, which was praised as one of the finest of all illuminated Irish manuscripts before its disappearance three centuries ago.

Brigid was one of the most remarkable women of her times, and despite the numerous legendary, extravagant, and even fantastic miracles attributed to her, there is no doubt that her extraordinary spirituality, boundless charity, and compassion for those in distress were real. She died at Kildare on this day in 525. The Mary of the Gael, she is buried at Downpatrick with St Columba and St Patrick. Her name is sometimes Bridget and Bride.

Mary Patricia Mulhall has sent this special prayer for today from the Bridgidines.

May Brigid bless the house wherein you dwell
Bless every fireside every wall and door
Bless every heart that beats beneath its roof
Bless every hand that toils to bring it joy
Bless every foot that walks its portals through
May Brigid bless the house that shelters you.

Brigid, you were a woman of peace,
You brought harmony where there was conflict.
You brought light to the darkness.
You brought hope to the downcast.
May the mantle of your peace cover those who are troubled and anxious,
And may peace be firmly rooted in our hearts and in our world.

The Irish government announced last year that from 2023, the first Monday in February will be a national holiday dedicated to St Brigid.

Many events are taking place today in UK and Ireland to celebrate this special feast. See links below for more information.

Ireland: Ecumenical service to celebrate St Brigid's 1,500th anniversary: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/48968

London: Service to celebrate 1,500th anniversary of St Brigid: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/48965

Ireland: Feile Bhride at Solas Bhríde Centre and Hermitages in Kildare. See: www.solasbhride.ie