ST.BRIGID

February the 1^st is St. Brigid’s day here in Ireland. St.Brigid is the most well known Irish female saint. There are many stories told about this saint and there are many churches and holy wells around the country called after her. If you drink the water from these holy wells you will be blessed with good health.

There are many stories told about Brigid. Here is one of our favourites.

Brigid wanted to build a convent, (a place where nuns live) in a place called Kildare. She went to the local pagan chief looking for land. At first he refused her but she kept asking. Eventually the chief agreed to give her as much land as her cloak (cape) would cover. When she placed her cloak on the ground it got bigger and bigger. Brigid received a fine big piece of land on which to build her convent.

Here is another story about Brigid.

St. Brigid was looking after a dying pagan chieftain. On the floor of the hut were rushes. Brigid made a cross from the rushes. The chieftain didn’t know what she was making. Brigid told him about the cross and about Jesus dying on the cross. Brigid told the Gospel story to the dying chief. Then the chief kissed the cross and said," I will follow Jesus". He died shortly later in the peace of Christ.

In Ireland it is a tradition to make St. Brigid’ s Crosses on the 1^st February. We make them in our school every year. You need fresh rushes and elastic bands to make these crosses. Hope you like our pictures. We have sent a cross to you in the post.