ST. BRIGID Feast Day: February 1^st

Brigid was born at Fochairt, near Dundalk around 452. Her father (Dubhtach) was a pagan chieftain and her mother (Brocessa) a Christian slave in his household. Although Brigid's mother died when Brigid was a young girl she never forgot the Christian faith she had learned from her as a child. As she grew up Brigid herded sheep, pigs and cattle for her father and helped about the house. Brigid grew into a very beautiful girl whom many young noblemen wished to marry, but she refused them all because she wanted to serve God as a nun. Brigid showed love and kindneess to the poor as well as the animals she tended in her father's house. However this love of the poor often got her into trouble.

A story is told of how Dubhtach, angry with her because she would not get marry decided to sell her as a servant to the king of Leinster. While he was bartering with the king, Brigid took pity on a passing beggar and gave him a valuable sword which her father had left with her. Her father was in a fierce temper when he found out his sword was gone. But the king thought that Brigid was good and kind and asked him to forgive her. Brigid's father eventually let her leave his house and herself to do God's service, in whatever way her bishop thought best.

Brigid and some friends received the religious veil from St. Mel who said: "You shall be called Sisters of Mercy," gave them the white robes of nuns, and made them promise to give up their lives to serving God by prayer and works of charity. Bridget and her companions chose as their first home a house under a great oak tree, which they called Cill Dara "the Church of Oak" and which later grew into the town of Kildare.

Her convent soon became the centre of religion and learning. She also founded a school of art, where metalwork and illumination of manuscripts was taught. Brigid was soon joined by several other women who formed themselves into a religious community, which branched out into several other nunneries throughout Ireland. All of these communities acknowledged her for their mother and founder. The courage and honesty with which Brigid challenged the selfishness of the rich and the purity of her way of life inspired many to become Christians. It was during one such conversation that the traditional St. Brigid's Cross came into being.

Brigid was called to the bedside of a dying chieftain. While she sat by his bedside nursing him she picked up some rushes from the floor and began to plait them into the shape of a cross. The chieftain woke as she worked and asked her what she was doing. When Brigid explained to him the story of Jesus and his crucifixion and told him of the love and forgiveness of God, the man repented of his lifestyle up to then and became a Christian. Since then the simple rush cross has become a symbol of Brigid's love of God and people. The fame of Brigid spread far and wide.

Her city of Kildare, with its Cathedral and its school, became famous all over Europe. Several churches in England, Scotland, Germany and some in France are dedicated to God under her name. One of the Hebrides, or Western Islands, which belong to Scotland, near that of Ila, was called Brigidiani after a famous monastery built there in her honour.

Bridget died in 524 an old woman still leading her community and actively involved with the poor and the needy. She was known as Patroness of Ireland and "Queen of the South".

She is also invoked as a patron of

scholars, poets, blacksmiths, healers, cattle, dairyworkers, newborn babies, and fugitives.