Saint Brigid of Ireland (452 – 525) was probably born at Faughart near Dundalk, Louth, Ireland. Her parents were baptized by St. Patrick, with whom she developed a close friendship. According to legend, her father was Dubhthach, an Irish chieftain of Lienster, and her mother, Brocca, was a slave at his court. Even as a young girl she evinced an interest for a religious life and 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 of her virgins 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.

St. 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 February 1. The Mary of the Gael, she is buried at Downpatrick with St. Columba and St. Patrick, with whom she is the patron of Ireland. Her name is sometimes Bridget and Bride. Her feast day is February 1.

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10 COMMENTS

  1. Prayer to Saint Brigid
    Saint 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.
    Inspire us to act justly and to reverence all God has made.
    Brigid you were a voice for the wounded and the weary.
    Strengthen what is weak within us.
    Calm us into a quietness that heals and listens.
    May we grow each day into greater wholeness in mind, body and spirit.
    Amen

  2. 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.
    Inspire us to act justly and to reverence all God has made.

    Brigid you were a voice for the wounded and the weary.
    Strengthen what is weak within us.
    Calm us into a quietness that heals and listens.
    May we grow each day into greater wholeness in mind, body and spirit.

    Amen.

  3. Saint John the Baptist, Don Bosco, Brigid, pray for us.
    All holy men and women, martyrs, saints, angels, pray for us.
    Holy Family of Nazareth, restore matrimony and family life.
    Help us to make reparation for offences against the most Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. That the BVM removes scales of deception from the eyes of those enslaved by evil. Amen.
    Ecce Crucem Domini!
    Fugite partes adversae!
    Vicit Leo de tribu Juda,
    Radix David! Alleluia!
    Saint Anthony of Padua, pray for us. For Italy.
    Saint Teresa of Avila, pray for us. For Rome.
    Blood of Christ Crucified, cleanse the Vatican.

  4. Saint Brigid of Ireland, I ask your powerful intercession in the cause for the canonisation of Derry nun, Sister Clare Crockett, so that more people know her and encounter the beaming joy of loving Jesus through her splendor in smile and song. I humbly ask for your miraculous favour, that you could graciously extend a prayer on my behalf, a recommendation in my weakness and limitation, for Sister Clare to accompany me the rest of my life, and help me through her holy friendship, that together we may persevere in prayer to Jesus, Mother Mary, and Saint Joseph, for undivided hearts in the world to serve the Kingdom. I am one in dire need of a meek and humble heart to wash Our Lord’s feet in my neighbour. Thank you, beautiful Lady Bridge(t) for your compassionate assistance. Amen.

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