Brigit of Kildare

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Brigit of KildareFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about Saint Brigid of Ireland. For Saint Bridget of Sweden, seeBridget of Sweden. For Brigid the

goddess, seeBrigid.

Brigid of Kildare

Virgin, abbess, inspirer

Born 453

Died 524

Honored in Catholicism,

Orthodoxy,

Anglicanism

Feast 1st February

Patronage babies; blacksmiths; boatmen; cattle; chicken farmers;

children whose parents are not married; children with

abusive fathers; children born into abusive unions;Clan
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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[1]

Saint Brigit of Kildare, orBrigit of Ireland (variants include Brigid, Bridget, Bridgit, Brd and Bride),

nicknamed Mary of the Gael(Irish:Naomh Brd) (c. 451525) is one ofIreland'spatron saintsalong with

SaintsPatrickandColumba. Irishhagiographymakes her an early Irish Catholicnun, abbess, and founder of

several monasteries of nuns, including that monastery of Kildare Ireland (530928N65441W.[2]), which was

considered legendary and was highly revered. Her feast day is the 1st February, celebrated asSt Brigids

DayorImbolcinGaelic Ireland, one of the four quarter days of the pagan year, which marked the beginning of

spring, lambing, and lactation in cattle.

Contents

[hide]

1 Life story

o 1.1 Historicity

o 1.2 Birth and early life

o 1.3 Commitment to religious life

o 1.4 Alleged miracles

2 Veneration in Ireland

o 2.1 Shrines and relics

o 2.2 Motifs in art

o 2.3 Placenames

2.3.1 Namesakes

3 Veneration beyond Ireland

o 3.1 Placenames outside Ireland

o 3.2 Relics

o 3.3 Western liturgyo 3.4 Eastern liturgy

4 Contemporary issues

5 See also

6 References

7 Further reading
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a.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#Western_liturgyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#Relicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#Placenames_outside_Irelandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#Veneration_beyond_Irelandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#Namesakeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#Placenameshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#Motifs_in_arthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#Shrines_and_relicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#Veneration_in_Irelandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#Alleged_miracleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#Commitment_to_religious_lifehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#Birth_and_early_lifehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#Historicityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#Life_storyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaelic_Irelandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imbolchttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Brigid%E2%80%99s_Dayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Brigid%E2%80%99s_Dayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-GR1-2http://toolserver.org/~geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Brigit_of_Kildare&params=53.15772_N_-6.91128_E_type:city_region:IEhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nunhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagiographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrickhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patron_sainthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irelandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clan_Douglas


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8 External links

o 8.1 Saint Brigid's cross

o 8.2 Legends about Saint Brigit

[edit]Life story

[edit]Historicity

In the controversy about the historical existence of Brigit that erupted in the last third of the 20th century, it was

noted that eleven people with whom Brigit is associated in her Lives are independently attested in annalistic

sources, sources that place her death at 523 AD (in theAnnals of TigernachandChronicon Scotorum) and her

birth at 451 AD (calculated from the alleged age of 72 at death).[3]

The differing biographies written by different authors, giving conflicting accounts of her life, are regarded of

considerable literary merit in themselves. Three of those biographies agreed that she had a slave mother in thecourt of her father,Dubhthach, a king of Leinster.

[edit]Birth and early life

Brigit may have been born inDundalk,County Louth, Ireland. Because of the legendary quality of the earliest

accounts of her life, there is much debate among many secular scholars and even faithful Christians as to the

authenticity of her biographies. According to her biographers her parents were Dubhthach, aPaganchieftain

ofLeinster, and Brocca, a ChristianPictand slave who had been baptised bySaint Patrick. Some accounts of

her life suggest that Brigit's father was in fact fromLusitania, kidnapped by Irish pirates and brought to Ireland

to work as a slave, in much the same way as Saint Patrick. Many stories also detail Brigit's and her mother'sstatuses as pieces of property belonging to Dubhthach, and the resulting impact on important parts of Brigit's

life story.

The Vitaoutlined Brigits early life. It says that Brigits mother was a slave, and Brigit herself was born into

slavery to a druid. From the start, it is clear that Brigit is holy. When the druid tries to feed her, she vomits

because he is impure. And thus a cow is assigned to sustain her. As she grows older, Brigit performs many

miracles, including healing and feeding the poor. Saint Brigit is celebrated for her generosity to the poor.

According to one tale, as a child, she once gave away her mother's entire store of butter. The butter was then

replenished in answer to Brigit's prayers.

[4]

[edit]Commitment to religious life

The ceremony was performed, according to different accounts, by one or other of the bishopsMel(d. 487)

orMac-Caille(d. c.489), the location probably being in Mg Tulach (the present barony ofFartullagh, Co.

Westmeath). Mel 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. According
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to some sources, Bridget was ordained bishop by Bishop Mel at Mag Tulach, and her successors have always

been given Episcopal honor.[5].

Brigit'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

SaintConlethas spiritual pastor of them. It has been frequently stated that she gave canonical jurisdiction

toSaint 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 assuperior generalof the monasteries in Ireland.

Brigit also founded a school of art, including metal work and illumination, over which Conleth presided. The

Kildare scriptorium produced theBook of Kildare, which elicited high praise fromGiraldus Cambrensis, but

which has disappeared since theReformation. 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".

There is evidence in theTrias Thaumaturgafor Brigit's stay in Connacht, especially in County Roscommon and

also in the many churches founded by her in the Diocese of Elphin. Her friendship with Saint Patrick is attested

by the following paragraph from theBook of Armagh: "inter sanctum Patricium Brigitanque Hibernesium

columpnas amicitia caritatis inerat tanta, ut unum cor consiliumque haberent unum. Christus per illum illamque

virtutes multas peregit". (Between St. Patrick and Brigid, the pillars of the Irish people, there was so great a

friendship of charity that they had but one heart and one mind. Through him and through her Christ performed

many great works.)

[edit]Alleged miracles

Miracles during Brigit's lifetime were commonly recorded by those who had witnessed them or had some

relation to a person who had. In Saint Brigits case, most of her miracles were related to healing and domestic

tasks usually attributed to women. If Brigit wished or predicted something to occur then it came to pass. A few

examples of her miracles are described below.

Several of Brigits miracles occurred on Easter Sunday. On this day, a leper had come to Brigit to ask for a cow.

She asked for a time to rest and would help him later; however, he did not wish to wait and instead stated he

would go somewhere else for a cow. Brigit then offered to heal him, but the man stubbornly replied that his

condition allowed him to acquire more than he would healthy. After convincing the leper that this was not so,

she told one of her maidens to have the man washed in a blessed mug of water. After this was done, the man

was completely cured and vowed to serve Brigit.
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On another occasion, Brigit was traveling to see a physician for her headache. They were welcomed to stay at

the house of a Leinsterman. His wife was not able to have children that survived except for two daughters that

had been dumb since their birth. Brigit was traveling to th with the daughters when her horse suddenly

startled, causing her to wound her head on a stone. Her blood mixed with the water here. Brigit then instructed

one of the girls to pour the bloodied water onto her neck in Gods name causing the girl to be healed. The

healed sister was told to call her sister over to be healed as well, but the later responded that she had been

made well when she bowed down in the tracks. Brigit told the cured sisters to return home and that they also

would birth as many male children that their mother had lost. The stone that Brigit had injured herself cured any

disease of the head when they laid the head on it.

One of the more commonly told stories of St. Brigid was when she went to the King of Leinster to ask for land

to build a convent. She told the king that the place where she stood was the perfect place for a convent. It was

beside a forest where they could collect firewood and berries. There was also a lake nearby that would provide

water and the land was fertile. The king laughed at her and refused to give her any land. Brigid prayed to God

and asked him to soften the kings heart. Then she smiled at the king and said will you give me as much land

as my cloak will cover? The king thought that she was joking and because Brigids cloak was so small he knew

that it would only cover a very small piece of land. The king agreed and Brigid spread her cloak on the ground.

She asked her four friends to hold a corner of the cloak and walk in opposite directions. The four friends walked

north, south, east and west. The cloak grew immediately and began to cover many acres of land. The king was

astonished and he realized that she had been blessed by God. The king fell to the ground and knelt before

Brigid and promised her and her friends money, food and supplies. Soon afterwards, the king became a

Christian and also started to help the poor and commissioned the construction of the convent. Legend has it,

the convent was known for making jam from the local blueberries which was sought for all over Ireland. There

is a new tradition beginning among followers of St. Brigit to eat jam on the 1st of February in honour of this

miracle.[6]

It was also said that once an elderly woman appeared at her door begging for food and Brigit turned her down

as the only piece of food she had in the house was a dish of butter. The old woman replied to Brigid saying

even that would do. When Brigid turned away from the door she saw on the table three dishes of butter. It

seemed that the lord had rewarded her for her kindness

Brigit also performed miracles that included curse elements as well. When on the bank of Inny, Brigit was givena gift of apples and sweet sloes. She later entered a house where many lepers begged her for these apples,

which she offered willingly. The nun who had given the gift to Brigit was irritated by this saying that she had not

given the gift to the lepers. Brigit was angered at the nun for withholding from the lepers and therefore cursed

her trees so they would no longer bear fruit, rendering them barren. Yet another virgin also gave Brigit the

same gift as the nun, and again Brigit gave them to begging lepers. This time the virgin asked that she and her
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garden be blessed. Brigit then said that a large tree in the virgins garden would have twofold fruit from its

offshoots, and this was done.[7]

[edit]Veneration in Ireland

[edit]Shrines and relics

It seems that Faughart was the scene of her birth. Faughart Church was founded by SaintMoninnein honour

of Brigit. The old well of Brigit's adjoining the ruined church still attracts pilgrims.

At Armagh there was a "Templum Brigidis"; namely the little abbey church known as "Regles Brigid", which

contained some relics of the saint, destroyed in 1179, byWilliam FitzAldelm.

Brigit was interred at the right of the high altar ofKildare Cathedral, and a costly tomb was erected over her

"Adorned with gems and precious stones and crowns of gold and silver." Over the years her shrine became an

object of veneration for pilgrims, especially on her feast day, 1 February.

About the year 878, owing to the Scandinavian raids, Brigit's relics were taken to Downpatrick, where they were

interred in the tomb of Patrick and Columba. The relics of the three saints were discovered in 1185, and on

June 9 of the following year were reinterred inDown Cathedral.

The church of St Joao Baptista atLumiarnear Lisbon airport in Portugal holds a relic claimed to be the skull of

St Brigid. A fragment of this skull was brought to St Bridgets Church, Kilcurry in 1905 by Sister Mary Agnes of

the Dundalk Convent of Mercy and in 1928 another fragment was sent by the Bishop of Lisbon to St Brigids

church inKillester, in response to a request from Fathers Timothy Traynor and James McCarroll.

[edit]Motifs in art
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-7http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=6http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=6http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=6http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=7http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=7http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moninnehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moninnehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moninnehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_FitzAldelmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_FitzAldelmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_FitzAldelmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kildare_Cathedralhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kildare_Cathedralhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kildare_Cathedralhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_Cathedralhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_Cathedralhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_Cathedralhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumiar_(Lisbon)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumiar_(Lisbon)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumiar_(Lisbon)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killesterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killesterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killesterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=8http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=8http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=8http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killesterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumiar_(Lisbon)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_Cathedralhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kildare_Cathedralhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_FitzAldelmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moninnehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=7http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-7


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St. Brigit as depicted in Saint Non's chapel,St Davids,Wales.

In liturgical iconography and statuary Saint Brigid is often depicted holding a reed cross, acrozierof the sort

used byabbots, 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.

According to P.W. Joyce, tradition holds that nuns at her monastery kept a sacred eternal flame burning

there.[8]Light motifs, some of them borrowed from theapocryphasuch as the story where she hangs her cloak

on a sunbeam, are associated with the wonder tales of her hagiography and folklore. In her Lives, Saint Brigid

is portrayed as having the power to multiply such things as butter, bacon and milk, to bestow sheep and cattle

and to control the weather. Plant motifs associated with St Brigid include the whiteLilium candidumpopularly

known since medieval times as the Madonna Lily for its association with theVirgin Mary, and the

WinflowerAnemone coronaria, called the "Brigid anemone" since the early 19th century.Cill Dara (Kildare), the

church of the oakQuercus petraea, is associated with a tree sacred to thedruids. Her colour, white, was wornby the KildareUnited Irishmenduring the1798 rebellionand is worn byKildare sports teams.

[edit]Placenames

Kilbride is one of Irelands most widely spread placenames, there are 43 Kilbrides located in 19 of Irelands 32

counties: Antrim (2), Carlow, Cavan, Down, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Kilkenny (3), Laois, Longford, Louth, Mayo

(5), Meath (4), Offaly (4), Roscommon (2), Waterford, Westmeath (2), Wexford (4), and Wicklow (8) as well as
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two Kilbreedys in Tipperary, Kilbreedia and Toberbreeda in Clare, Toberbreedia in Kilkenny, Brideswell

Commons in Dublin, Bridestown and Templebreedy in Cork and Rathbride and Brideschurch in

Kildare.[9]Similarly, there are a number of placenames derived from Cnoic Bhrde("Brigit's Hill"), such

asKnockbridgein Louth andKnockbridein Cavan.

[edit]Namesakes

Not all Kilbride or St Brides churches are directly associated with Brigit the daughter of Dubhthach.Seathrn

Citinns History of Ireland 1841 edition edited by Dermod OConnor lists 14 Saints gleaned from the

martyrologies and heroic literature each called Brigid, and not including Brigit of Kildare.[10][11]

This dizzying abundance of Brigits had the effect of confusing those scholars in the 16th and 17th centuries

who compiled thecalendarsfrom older manuscript sources, many of them now lost. For exampleJohn

Colganstates Brighit of Moin-miolain was the daughter of Neman in one reference and the daughter of Aidus in

another.[12][13]

The Martyrology of Donegal, for example, lists Brighit daughter of Diomman (feast day May 21), Brighit of Moin-

miolain (feast day on March 9), and what may be five more: Brigid the daughter of Leinin (associated

withKilliney, feast day March 6), Brighit of Cillmuine (November 12), Brighe of Cairbre (feast day January 7).

and two other Brighits (feast days March 9, the second Brigit of that date, and Sept 30).[14]

[edit]Veneration beyond Ireland

Astained glasswindow depicting St. Brigid in the Church of Saint Thomas in theHouverathquarter ofBad

Mnstereifel,North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Church dedications, artwork, folklore and medieval manuscripts indicate the extent of the cult of Brigid in

England, Scotland and Wales, Brittany, northern and eastern France, the Low Countries, Germany, Austria,

Switzerland and northern Italy.

Alsace: Devotion to Brigid dates to the 8th century, there are relics of the Saint in the Church of Pierre-de-

Vaux inStrasbourg.[15]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knockbridgehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knockbridgehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knockbridgehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knockbridehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knockbridehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=10http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=10http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoffrey_Keatinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoffrey_Keatinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoffrey_Keatinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoffrey_Keatinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calendar_of_saintshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calendar_of_saintshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calendar_of_saintshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Colganhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Colganhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Colganhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Colganhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killineyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killineyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killineyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-14http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=11http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=11http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stained_glasshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stained_glasshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stained_glasshttp://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houverath_(Bad_M%C3%BCnstereifel)http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houverath_(Bad_M%C3%BCnstereifel)http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houverath_(Bad_M%C3%BCnstereifel)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bad_M%C3%BCnstereifelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bad_M%C3%BCnstereifelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bad_M%C3%BCnstereifelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Rhine-Westphaliahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Rhine-Westphaliahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Rhine-Westphaliahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strasbourghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strasbourghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-15http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-15http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-15http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Houverath(Bad_M%C3%BCnstereifel)St.Thomas6214.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Houverath(Bad_M%C3%BCnstereifel)St.Thomas6214.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Houverath(Bad_M%C3%BCnstereifel)St.Thomas6214.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Houverath(Bad_M%C3%BCnstereifel)St.Thomas6214.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-15http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strasbourghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Rhine-Westphaliahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bad_M%C3%BCnstereifelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bad_M%C3%BCnstereifelhttp://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houverath_(Bad_M%C3%BCnstereifel)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stained_glasshttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killineyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Colganhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Colganhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calendar_of_saintshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoffrey_Keatinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoffrey_Keatinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knockbridehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knockbridgehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-9


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Belgium: A fragment of a medieval Irish shawl known as "St Brigid's Mantle" isveneratedat theCathedral

of Bruges, where thecultusof Brigid was introduced by its Irishbishop, SaintFoillan(died 655). There is a

chapel (7th-10th century) dedicated to Sainte-Brigide atFosses-la-Ville, a church inLiegeand an altar

inHesse.

Brittany: The Church of St. Denis inSaint-Omeris the best known of over thirty church and chapel

dedications to Brigid, she is venerated in folklore asmidwifeto the Blessed Virgin Mary and protectress of

cattle. Apaltonis held atMorimereach year.[citation needed]

Cologne: four parish churches and seven chapels are dedicated to Brigid and a relic is preserved at

theGreat St. Martin Church. A church dedicated to St Brigid was destroyed in the Napoleonic period.

There was also a chapel dedicated to her inMainz.

Italy:Donatus of Fiesolecompiled the metrical Life of Brigidand built a Church in Piacenza (9th century)

which was donated to the Irish order of the Monastery of Saint Colombanus, in Bobbio. The Church, and

the attached hospital, was meant to serve Irish pilgrims moving to Bobbio and Rome. It still exists. The cultof Saint Brigit is particularly important in Northern Italy (Piacenza, Como, Val Brembana etc).

Netherlands: Saint Brigid is the patron saint of the Dutch city ofOmmen.

Portugal: Brigit's skull, preserved in the Church of So Joo Baptista inLumiar, was traditionally venerated

on 2 February and in former times was carried in procession as a sacred instrument in the blessing of

children and animals throughout the parish, in a ceremony called the bno do gado(blessing of the

cattle).

Spain: A cult of Brigid atOliteinNavarrewas introduced fromTroyesandPicardyin northern France

around 1200 and a church is dedicated to her inSeville.

Switzerland: A sacred flame, the Lumen Sanctae Brigidae, was tended atLiestalin the 13th century[16]and

there is a chapel dedicated to her in the city ofSt. Gallen.

Saint Brigit, in the alternative spelling of her name, Bride, was patron saint of the powerful

medievalScottishHouse of Douglas. The principal religious house, and Mausoleum of theEarls of Douglasand

latterlyEarls of AngusbeingSt. Bride's Kirk, Douglas. Another saintBridget of Sweden(13031373) was given

a Swedish variant of the old Irish name named in honour of Brigit.

[edit]Placenames outside Ireland

Many of placenames in her honour are to be found all over Great Britain.

Brigit-related names in Scotland and England include several Bridewells or Brideswells, (commemorating in

their names the presence of a sacred well dedicated to Brigit or her pre-Christian antecedent),East

Kilbride,West Kilbride, Kilbride, Brideswell, Templebride and Tubberbride, derived for the word for well, "Tobar"

inIrish or Gaelic). These Brigidine sites include the originalBridewell Palacein London which became

synonymous with jail houses through the English speaking world.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venerationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venerationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venerationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Salvator%27s_Cathedralhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Salvator%27s_Cathedralhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Salvator%27s_Cathedralhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Salvator%27s_Cathedralhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult_(religious_practice)#Roman_Catholic_.27.27cultus.27.27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult_(religious_practice)#Roman_Catholic_.27.27cultus.27.27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishop_(Catholic_Church)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishop_(Catholic_Church)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishop_(Catholic_Church)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foillanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foillanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foillanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fosses-la-Villehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fosses-la-Villehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fosses-la-Villehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liegehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liegehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liegehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hessehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hessehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hessehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Omerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Omerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Omerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midwifehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midwifehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midwifehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Palton&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Palton&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Palton&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Morimer&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Morimer&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Morimer&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_neededhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_neededhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_neededhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_St._Martin_Churchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_St._Martin_Churchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_St._Martin_Churchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainzhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainzhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainzhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donatus_of_Fiesolehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donatus_of_Fiesolehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donatus_of_Fiesolehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ommenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ommenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ommenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumiar_(Lisbon)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumiar_(Lisbon)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumiar_(Lisbon)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olitehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olitehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olitehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navarrehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navarrehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navarrehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troyeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troyeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troyeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picardyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picardyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picardyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sevillehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sevillehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sevillehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liestalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liestalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liestalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-16http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-16http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-16http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Gallenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Gallenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Gallenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Scotlandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Scotlandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clan_Douglashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clan_Douglashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clan_Douglashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earls_of_Douglashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earls_of_Douglashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earls_of_Douglashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earls_of_Angushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earls_of_Angushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earls_of_Angushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas,_South_Lanarkshirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas,_South_Lanarkshirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas,_South_Lanarkshirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridget_of_Swedenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridget_of_Swedenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridget_of_Swedenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=12http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=12http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Kilbridehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Kilbridehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Kilbridehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Kilbridehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Kilbridehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Kilbridehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Kilbridehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridewell_Palacehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridewell_Palacehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridewell_Palacehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridewell_Palacehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Kilbridehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Kilbridehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Kilbridehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridget_of_Swedenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas,_South_Lanarkshirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earls_of_Angushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earls_of_Douglashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clan_Douglashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Scotlandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Gallenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-16http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liestalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sevillehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picardyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troyeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navarrehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olitehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumiar_(Lisbon)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ommenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donatus_of_Fiesolehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainzhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_St._Martin_Churchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_neededhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Morimer&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Palton&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midwifehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Omerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hessehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liegehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fosses-la-Villehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foillanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishop_(Catholic_Church)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult_(religious_practice)#Roman_Catholic_.27.27cultus.27.27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Salvator%27s_Cathedralhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Salvator%27s_Cathedralhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veneration


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[edit]Relics

Brigit's skull has been preserved in the Igreja So Joo Baptista (Church of St.John the Baptist) inLumiarin

Portugal (384629N90955E.[2]) (near the Lisbon airport) since 1587 and is venerated on 2 February (not 1

February, as in Ireland).[17]St Brigids head was reputedly carried to KingDenis of Portugalin 1283 by Irish

knights traveling to theAragonese Crusade. The inscription on the tomb in Lumiar reads:

Here in these three tombs lie the three Irish knights who brought the head of St. Brigid, Virgin, a native of

Ireland, whose relic is preserved in this chapel. In memory of which, the officials of the Altar of the same Saint

caused this to be done in January AD 1283.

[edit]Western liturgy

Various Continentalbreviariesof the pre-Reformation period commemorate Brigit, and her name is included in

a litany in the Stowe Missal.

In the 2004 edition of theRoman Martyrology, Brigit is listed under 1 February with the Latin name Brgidae.

She is cited as follows: 'At Kildare in Ireland, Brigid, who founded one of the first monasteries in Ireland and,

together with Saint Patrick, began the work of evangelisation'.[18]Thus Brigid is officially recognised by the

Vatican as a first-millennium saint, recognised by popular acclaim, rather than ever being formallycanonized.

[edit]Eastern liturgy

Brigit is highly venerated by manyEastern Orthodox Christiansas one of the great Western saints before

theschismbetween the Eastern and Western Churches. Her feast day, as in the West, isFebruary

1,[19]although churches following the Julian calendar (as in many Orthodox countries) celebrate her feast on 14

February, the corresponding date on the Julian calendar. Thetroparionto her is in Tone 1:

O holy Brigid, thou didst become sublime through thy humility, and didst fly on the wings of thy longing for God.

When thou didst arrive in the Eternal City and appear before thy Divine Spouse, wearing the crown of virginity,

thou didst keep thy promise to remember those who have recourse to thee. Thou dost shower grace upon the

world, and dost multiply miracles. Intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls.

The correspondingkontakionis in Tone 4:

The holy virgin Brigid full of divine wisdom, shy of men, went with joy along the way of evangelical childhood,

and with the grace of God attained in this way the summit of virtue and charity. Wherefore she now bestowsblessings upon those who come to her with faith. O holy Virgin, intercede with Christ our God that He may have

mercy on our souls.

According to the tradition of the Orthodox church, Saint Brigit lost one of her eyes which saved her from being

married against her will as related in the first and second troparia of the fourth ode of thecanonof the saint

from the Orthodox Matins service:
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=13http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=13http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptisthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptisthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptisthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumiar_(Lisbon)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumiar_(Lisbon)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumiar_(Lisbon)http://toolserver.org/~geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Brigit_of_Kildare&params=38.77460_N_9.16526_E_type:city_region:IEhttp://toolserver.org/~geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Brigit_of_Kildare&params=38.77460_N_9.16526_E_type:city_region:IEhttp://toolserver.org/~geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Brigit_of_Kildare&params=38.77460_N_9.16526_E_type:city_region:IEhttp://toolserver.org/~geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Brigit_of_Kildare&params=38.77460_N_9.16526_E_type:city_region:IEhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-GR1-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-GR1-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-GR1-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denis_of_Portugalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denis_of_Portugalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denis_of_Portugalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aragonese_Crusadehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aragonese_Crusadehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aragonese_Crusadehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=14http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=14http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breviaryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breviaryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breviaryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Martyrologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Martyrologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Martyrologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-18http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-18http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-18http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canonizedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canonizedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canonizedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=15http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=15http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=15http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Orthodox_Churchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Orthodox_Churchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Orthodox_Churchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schism_(religion)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schism_(religion)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schism_(religion)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_1_(Eastern_Orthodox_liturgics)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_1_(Eastern_Orthodox_liturgics)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_1_(Eastern_Orthodox_liturgics)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-19http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-19http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-19http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troparionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troparionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troparionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kontakionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kontakionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kontakionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_(hymnography)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_(hymnography)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_(hymnography)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_(hymnography)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kontakionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troparionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-19http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_1_(Eastern_Orthodox_liturgics)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_1_(Eastern_Orthodox_liturgics)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schism_(religion)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Orthodox_Churchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=15http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canonizedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-18http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Martyrologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breviaryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aragonese_Crusadehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denis_of_Portugalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit_of_Kildare#cite_note-GR1-2http://toolserver.org/~geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Brigit_of_Kildare&params=38.77460_N_9.16526_E_type:city_region:IEhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumiar_(Lisbon)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptisthttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brigit_of_Kildare&action=edit&section=13


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Considering the beauty of the body as of no account, when one of thine eyes was destroyed thou didst rejoice,

O venerable one, for thou didst desire to behold the splendour of heaven and to glorify God with the choirs of

the righteous.

Spurning an earthly betrothed, and praying beyond hope that the refusal of thy parents be changed, thou didst

find aid from on high, so that the beauty of thy body was ruined.[20]

In another version of the legendary story of Saint Brigid losing her eye, she suffered an eye disease making her

lose one eye. In the book 'Saint Brigid' by Iain MacDonald,[21]Saint Brigid had an eye disease, she put her

finger under her eye and plucked it out of her head so that it lay on her cheek, and when Dubthach and her

brethren beheld that, they promised that she should never be told to go to a husband except for the husband

whom she should like; then Saint Brigid prayed to God, put her palm to her eye, and it was healed at once.

[edit]Contemporary issues

In modern Ireland, "Mary of the Gael" remains a popular saint, and Brigit remains a common female Christian

name.

St. Brigids Cross

Making a St. Brigids cross is one of the traditionalrituals in Ireland to celebrate the beginning of early

spring, February 1. The crosses are made of rushesthat are pulled rather than cut. They are hung by thedoor and in the rafters to protect the house from fireand evil.

St. Brigid (450-520) is the only one of the threepatron saints of Ireland who is native to the country.Historical data on her is slight. She is oftenconsidered a pious legend. The legends arewonderful stories of generosity and care for all creatures. Prayers and poetry

surrounding her are beautiful statements of faith. In Ireland, celebrations of St.Brigids Eve involved the entire community. Irish missionaries spread the storyof this confidant, generous saint throughout Europe.

St. Brigid and her cross are linked together by the story that she wove thisform of cross at the death bed of either her father or a pagan lord, who upon
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hearing what the cross meant, asked to be baptized. One version goes asfollows:

A pagan chieftain from the neighborhood of Kildare was dying. Christians inhis household sent for Brigid to talk to him about Christ. When she arrived the

chieftain was raving. As it was impossible to instruct this delirious man, hopesfor his conversion seemed doubtful. Brigid sat down at his bedside and beganconsoling him. As was customary, the dirt floor was strewn with rushes bothfor warmth and cleanliness. Brigid stooped down and started to weave theminto a cross, fastening the points together. The sick man asked what she wasdoing. She began to explain the cross, and as she talked his delirium quietedand he questioned her with growing interest. Through her weaving, heconverted and was baptized at the point of death. Since then the cross ofrushes has been venerated in Ireland.

By the time St. Patrick arrived in the fifth century, Irelands conversion toChristianity had been going on for centuries. Never part of the Roman empire,Ireland took elements directly from Egyptian, Greek, and Frankishmissionaries.(1)Celtic traditions blended with these sources developingdistinct practices.(2)

While not reported in writing until the 17th century, the practice of making a St.Brigid cross is believed to have carried over from pre-Christian times. Thecross is associated with the start of spring, the time when the ground can firstbe prepared and lambs are born.(3)The cross is made of rushes in the shapeof a fylfot or swastika.(4)

The first written record of her is found in the 7th century. The basic outline ofher story is as follows. St. Brigids father, Dubthach, was a member of the taxpaying class but not a noble. Her mother, Brocessa, was a slave. As a youngwoman, Brigid became a consecrated virgin of Christ, the act that allowed herto totally dedicate her life to Christian service.(5)She founded a monasteryand a convent in Kildare (Cill-Dara, cell of the oak) around 470 in Ireland. Shedied in 525 on the same day she was born, February 1.

Many wonderful tales are associated with her generosity. In one story, shegives away her fathers sword to a leper. She is able to provide a constantsupply of milk and ale to her guests. Her prayer for a feast in heaven is tohave a "great lake of ale...and every drop a prayer" (a recitation of this prayeris onbeliefnet). Based on a vision, as a Christian saint she is considered"Mary of the Gaels," the midwife of the Virgin Mary.(6)Churches throughoutthe world were named after her. According to one source, her initial popularity
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was spread by the kings of Leinster to further promote their territory. Thespread of the word "Brigid" may also be based on the origins of the Irishword Brigi, which means "strength".(7)

Continue toPart 2>

1. Nigel Pennick, The Celtic Cross(London, 1997) p. 17.[Return]2. Jakob Streit, Sun and Cross, (Edinburgh, 1984) Hugh Latham trans., p. 69, believes that

the uniquely peaceful transformation was due to the cooperation of the Druid priesthood,who may have had a vision that led them on this path. There is neither legend nortradition regarding this.[Return]

3. Conrad Bladey, Brigid of the Gael(Lindthicum, Maryland, 2000) p. 125, found theearliest references to the crosses from 1689, where a Rev. Story found the cross inabandoned houses. Bladeys book is an extensive collection of St. Brigid lore. The crossstory, he writes, is not in the early legends (p. 113).[Return]

4. Herbert Whone, Church Monastery Cathedral(Tisbury, Wiltshire, 1977) p. 79. Fylfotmeans fill the foot, since this design was used to complete the border of a cloth orwindow. The word for swastika came into use in the middle ages. The swastika is foundin catacombs, in mosaics in early Christian churches and was the cross of theManichean sect. Streit, pp. 112-13, writes that in Ireland there are signs indicating thepassing from the Druid to the Christian period. One carved stone pillar now in theNational Museum in Dublin, has an arrow between two Druid crosses (fylfots) pointingtowards a Christian sun cross. From Michael Howe, Amulets, p.102, "To the early

Christians the normal form of swastika meant, Genesis, towards God; the reversedform was said to mean Cessation, away from God."[Return]

5. D.D.C. Pulin Mould, Saint Brigid(London, 1964) p. 25. Once becoming a virgin of Christshe could not later take a husband without the risk of being excommunicated.[Return]

6. Streit, p. 68, reports the legend regarding the Celtic god Brigit that at his death, the ChiefDruid of Iona saw Jesus as an infant being rocked to sleep on Brigits knee. Anotherlegend has a Christian seer meeting Brigit and declaring that she appeared identical inevery feature to Mary.[Return]

7. Mould, pp. 48-52. One sign of her popularity on the continent is in liturgies. He notes that"over two hundred manuscript breviaries contain an Office for her feast." St. Patrick isnot nearly as well represented. Bladey, p. 7, suggests that the reason many placenames in Ireland have her name may relate to the the similarities in the word for strength

instead of to her.[Return]

St. Brigids Cross

St. Brigid Part 2Return toPart 1>
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The Tau Painted Solitary

Crucifix

St. Bridgets crosshung over door,Which did the housefrom fire secure,

As Gillo thought, Opowerful charm!To keep a house fromtaking harm:

And tho the dogs and

servants slept,By Bridgets care thehouse was kept.

James Farewell, IrishHudibras(1689), asatire of Irish life fromHenry Glassie, Passingthe Time inBallymenone: Culture

and History of an UlsterCommunity(Philadelphia, 1982)

As the grape vine isassociated with wineand the blood of Christ,wheat sheaves whenplaced on a crossrepresent the body ofChrist.

St. Brigids CrossTraditions surrounding St. Brigid have had difficultyfitting within the modern world. One issue isdetermining where the historical St. Brigid beginsand where the goddess of the Celtic people, Brigit,who had similar attributes, stops.(8)According tomany views, the Celtic goddess was converted inorder to Christianize the Celtic springfestival Imbolic, "in the belly" (lambs are bornaround this time).

While reports that during Vatican II, along with St.Nicholas and St. Valentine, St. Brigid wasdecanonized are untrue, traditional celebrationssurrounding her feast day have decreased overmodern times.(9)St. Brigids cross was removedas a symbol of the main Irish television network in1988.(10)

On the other hand, a renewed interest in CelticChristianity has promoted St. Brigid and the carefor other people that she represents. In 1983, fiveyoung men in Derry began the St. Brigids PeaceCross Campaign. They made St. Brigids crossesand sold them within their neighborhood. Theproceeds were donated toAction from Ireland. Sincethen others have continued this campaign for

justice and peace in the world. Additionally, thesacred flame that was maintained in her conventuntil the 12th century was symbolically relit in 1993by theSt. Brigidine Sistersin Kildare, who are active

in community services.The tradition of making the cross on St. BrigidsEve, January 31, continues in rural areassurrounding her site. The cross is woven left toright, after the movement of the sun, which may beone origin for the cross. Made with freshly pulled
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Corn (general term forwheat) dollies were

made at the end ofharvest in theEuropean tradition longbefore Christianity.These were bent orwoven into braids,baskets, and figures.With the conversion toChristianity, new strawforms were designed,

such as this version ofa Devonshire crossmade by Nan RooksbyRohan of Berkeley, CA.Traditional design hasthe corn heads or earsspray from the top andside terminals.

The art of plaiting and

folding of straw goesback to early times,usually associated withthe end of the pastoralyear. M. Lambeth, AGolden Dolly: The Art,

rushes, these crosses are initially green.

Various family and community proceduressurround St. Brigids Day, which involve both the

weaving and the distribution of the cross. A few ofthe different customs from the 20th centuryinclude:

A girl is chosen to represent St. Brigid.Accompanied by other girls, she goes to eachhouse in the village. Carrying the crosses, she isgreeted as the saint, responds by singing a Gaellicprayer, and presents the cross.(11)

Mould writes, "The crosses are sprinkled with holywater, or where the custom obtains, taken tochurch to be blessed at the Mass of St. Brigidsday. Then they are placed in house or byre tobring good fortune for the year and keep awayharm."(12)

E. Estyn Evans writes about a tradition insouthwest Ireland where boys instead of girls playa prominent role. A doll made of straw "wascarried from house to house by Biddy Boys,wearing straw masks such as are used bymummers and by strawboys at weddings, andsinging songs in honor of the saint. They would

solicit gifts and end the day in jollification. Theevening was celebrated by a supper of pancakestaken from a plate laid on a rush cross and as onthe other quarter-days prognostications weremade."(13)

St. Brigids crosses can last for years. In thatchedhouses, the previous years crosses were placed inthe thatch on the inside. Crosses were hung abovethe window as well.(14)When the straw has nearly

disintegrated, the proper disposal is to either burnor bury the cross. Burying the cross in the field issaid to assure good crops.(15)

St. Brigid s celebrations are very limited inAmerica, especially in comparison to the parades
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Mystery and History ofCorn Dollies(London,1969) p. 97-100, writesabout a number of

traditions. In somecounties in England, atthe end of harvest thelast stand of corn wastrampled or slasheddown to keep the badspirits of the corn atbay. Other ritualsaround the end of theharvest include makinga traditional dolly ofeither the last or best ofthe final harvest calledthe knack(sounds like"neck,"). In thistradition, the knackrepresents the cornspirit that will reawakenin spring. The dolly ishung in the farmhouse.

As often happens, pre-Christian and Christiantraditions came to existside by side.

Making straw crossesand straw figures arepart of the harvesttradition in many

farming communities.In 2003, the HistoricalMuseum inJacksonville, Oregon,had a large display ofstraw forms andcrosses. Below is one

and costumes around Halloween based on anotherCeltic festival, Samhain, an end of the harvestevent, and St. Patricks Day. Still, one occasionallyfinds the cross in interesting places. A St. Brigids

cross hung on the outside wall above the entranceto offices at the Mission San Juan Baptista a fewyears ago. A gold, silver, or pewter version of thecross is a popular brooch, especially as a way ofcombining Christian and Celtic spirituality.

There are

othervariations of

the crosswoven out of

either rushes

or straw,which are

also

associated

with St.Brigid. These

include athree-armedversion for

the cowshed,

various

straw-squarepatterns, a

six-band

interlacedpattern, and a

cross in a

circle.(16)The mostprimitive

form is the

three armcross or

triskele,

These crosses were woven by Nan Rooksby Rohan,

Berkeley, CA, to match Irish folk designs
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of the smaller forms. which isassociated

with cattle,and is placed

in the byre orcowshed forprotection.

(The wealth

of a person in

Celtic societywas based on

cattle not

land.) The

triskele wasnot blessed

by theChurch. Nextto it is a cross

made with a

"bindingknot," which

acts as a

barrier to evil

sprits. It iswoven and

placed in

rafters of ahouse on

Halloween in

CountyGalway to

keep those

spirits

out.(17)Other forms are

variations of

a straw-

squarepattern. The

square

pattern isfound in

other

countries,
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includingSweden and

Estonia.

Return toPart 1>

8. Eugenia Shanklin, Donegals Changing TraditionsAn Ethnographic Study(New York, 1985) p.42.[Return]

9. Pope John Paul II mentions her fondly on June26, 1999 in an address to Irish Bishops. Mould, p.47, explains that a saint was declared by the local

bishop up to 1159, when the pope was the onlyone who could declare a saint. The moderncanonization process begins with Urban VIII in1625.[Return]

10. St. Brigid is the patron saint of Irish TV, as well asthe patron saint for ale, blacksmithing, andtraditional pastoral and midwivery roles. The crosswas the original logo for Telefis Eireann, whichbecame RTE one. It appears on a recent 50pstamp showing a soap opera on an old tv set,marking the anniversary of broadcasting in

Ireland.[Return]11. Hugh de Blacam, The Saints of Ireland: The Life-

Stories of SS. Brigid and Columcille, (Milwaukee,1942) onEWTN Online Servicesaccessed11/4/2003. (This is captured in the 2002 PBSspecial, The Search for Ancient Ireland, Episode 2:Saints.) In 1690, when King Williams armyinvaded the country near St. Brigids site(Faughart) all the people fled their houses. In eachhouse they found green St. Brigids crosses. Thesoldiers believed the crosses were placed to

protect the house from them.[Return]12. Mould, p. 60. Usually, crosses for the barn were

not blessed.[Return]13. E. Estyn Evans, Irish Folk Ways(New York, 1957)

p. 270,[Return]14.T.G.F. Paterson, "Brigids Crosses in County

Armagh," Ulster Journal of Archeology, Vol 8,
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Parts 1 and 2, 1945, p. 47.[Return]15. Paterson.[Return]16. Paterson, 46-47. Pennick (1998), pp. 92-93.

Evans, 268-9.[Return]

17. Pennick (1998), p. 93.[Return]

Equinox Reflection by Sally McKenna

The present day psyche is drawn to theinscriptions on ancient stones. As the Earth moves into a crisis phase we more and moreunderstand the ancestral links to the inner chambers of the mounds. We see green belliesrising from the land with entrances guarded by stones that have to be crawled over before

going inside. Step over this stone and go into a space of deep slumber or deep awakening.These builders are not the people who wanted to subjugate the Earth, to tame it. We wouldgrow into those people, who would come later. Now in 2008 there is a desire to return tothat time of innate personal rhythm with the seasons.

The Autumn Equinox is the next major solar event in the yearly calendar of the path of theEarth as it spins in its wobbly arc around the sun. The main chamber at Loughcrew inIreland welcomes the sun in at theEquinox.

The rising beam of light sears its way into the entrance, slicing across the ancient calendarstone composed of interlocking cells with a beckoning circle in the middle Is this the homeplace from the stars? The entry upright stone is rough and fingers catch in the curved

grooves and push into pock marks. It is cold and wet and ahead it is dark because the sunhas not yet risen. Your hand tells you that this is a special place and your eyes arepenetrating the gloom, searching for the stone that you know is ahead.

If it is not the Equinox a torch will help you across barrier stones and then you will continueon and you will see the strange mixture of shapes, flower forms, zig zagging lightening andsun rays. If you were an ancient inhabitant entering in the Spring you might think I have allof my crop planted now and breathe a sigh of relief and if you dont you would know to get

on with it fast.
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If you were here in the month of September this shining flower would trigger either a timeof well deserved mental rest if your harvest was fully gathered and if it wasnt a sense ofanxiety that it had better be gotten on with. If the weather was bad till now an invocation tothe Earth might be sung to send along the fine days needed. August first was the harvestfestival of Lughnasa or Teltaine when the goddess Tailtu ruled over Irelands version of the

Olympics on the plains of Meath. The cattle were purified between fires and the peoplecelebrated.

Remembering the Celtic sun calendar is easier if you know that the Celtic festivalsofSamhain,Imbolc,Beltaineand Lughnasa occur on the first of the month of November,February, May and August. They are the peak of the Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumnseasons. The

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