Celebrating The Holy Feast of St. Brigid
When St. Brigid and St. Patrick had gathered together in prayer for the last time, it is said that St. Patrick was given a vision of Ireland. In the vision, he saw all of Ireland illuminated by a great light, the light of Faith. He saw that the light continued to shine on Ireland throughout the centuries and he then learned that the light would never extinguish. It is because these two great saints, St. Patrick and St. Brigid, that this great light continues to shine on Ireland even to this day.
St. Brigid was born in Faughart, Ireland around the year 450. Her mother, Brioicsech, was a Christian from Portugal, who had been captured and sold into slavery in Ireland. Her father, Dubhthach, was a pagan chieftain and St. Brigid worked on his farm, herding cattle and sheep.
St. Brigid, Patroness of Ireland, Pray for us!
Although she was a slave herself, St. Brigid was known for her remarkable generosity. There are countless stories of miracles about her charity that have been handed down. It is said that when she churned butter, she would give a large portion to the poor, but then the butter would miraculously be replenished. When asked why she helped the poor, St. Brigid is recorded as having answered, “Christ is in the person of every poor person who believes.” She then continued, “I find it hard to deny Christ His own food.”
As St. Brigid was already completely detached from the goods of the world, St. Brigid soon sought to quit the world and consecrated herself entirely to God. Unfortunately, though for St. Brigid, since she was very beautiful, she received many offers of marriage. And since her pagan father couldn’t understand her vocation, he ridiculed her for her resolution. Feeling pressure from her family to marry, St. Brigid then, according to tradition, turned to God in prayer, asking that He take away her beauty, so that no one would want to marry her. Her unusual prayer was heard; St. Brigid lost all of her beauty and she finally was left free to serve the Lord. But as soon as the threat of marriage was removed, St. Brigid’s former beauty was returned to her.
At age 15, St. Brigid finally received the veil from St. Marcaille. Together with seven other consecrated virgins, she formed the beginnings of a convent at Croghan Hill. The nuns later settled in Druin Criadh, where in 471, St. Brigid established the famous monastery of Kildare. She was appointed abbess by St. Mel and the monastery was unique in that it was a double monastery (one for men and another for women). The monastery became famous for its artwork, especially for the beautifully illuminated manuscripts and intricate metal work. The monastery at Kildare was the first of many monasteries and churches that St. Brigid would found throughout Ireland. Because of her instrumental work in spreading the Faith in Ireland, St. Brigid has been named co-patroness of the country, along with St. Patrick. On February 1st, 525, St. Brigid died in Kildare, at the age of 75. Her feast day is celebrated on February 1st on, the anniversary of her death. Her feast day is considered the first day of spring in Ireland.
In 2022, the Irish government added a bank holiday in honor of St. Brigid of Kildare.
St. Brigid, Patroness of Ireland, Pray for us!
James Russell
Catholic Action Chairperson
New York State Ancient Order of Hibernians
