St. Brigid epitomizes everything a strong Irish woman should be, and she holds a special place in many Irish hearts, including mine.
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Irish Saints
When we think of Irish saints, good old St. Patrick first springs to mind, but let's face it, he was a blow-in from England, France or Wales ... nobody knows for sure.
St. Brigid is actually the first native-born Irish saint, and a true role model for independent, feisty Irish women.
St. Brigid's Legacy
In the past we have explored St. Brigid's legacy, learning why St. Brigid's Day and the beginning of spring or Imbolc, the old Celtic spring festival are linked.
We have delved into the history of her reed cross in the blog post "The Story of the St. Brigid's Cross".
We've even made St. Brigid's crosses from pipe cleaners.
And we've shared a boxty recipe to celebrate this holy woman of Kildare.
But this year, on her feast day, I've decided to share my thoughts on who Brigid was as a woman, as a role model, and try to figure out why she is so beloved by many Irish people around the world.
A Generous Spirit
Brigid's childhood was a privileged one, but she was not a spoiled, self-centered little girl. Her's was no rags to riches story, but the tale of a girl determined to share all she had with the poor.
Her abundant generosity is recorded in many Irish legends where she is described as one of the most open-hearted, giving souls to ever live in the Emerald Isle.
Much to her father's chagrin she gave away his milk, his butter and his meat to all and sundry who passed their door in need of a bite to eat.
Her father decided the best solution to control his overly charitable daughter was to marry her off, and pass the problem on to her husband.
But Brigid had no intention of marrying, even if her chosen was the King of Leinster himself.
Sign over Saint Brigid's Well, Cullion, County Westmeath - Creative Commons
Brigid waited in their chariot while her father negotiated her marriage deal with her royal suitor. Her father left his bejewelled sword with Brigid, since etiquette demanded he bear no weapons to an audience with the King.
As Brigid waited a leper approached. She had nothing to share with him, only her father's sword, so she gave it away so the leper could sell it.
Well, as you can imagine, her father was none too pleased when he returned to introduce her future husband, who immediately began to reconsider his decision to marry this leper-loving girl.
"Will you give away my riches too?" he asked her, to which she replied.
“I would give all the wealth of Ireland away to serve the King of Heaven.”
The King of Leinster knew Brigid was no shrinking violet, and far more than he could ever handle or contain. He immediately granted her wish to become a nun.
And so, she started on her journey of spiritual enrichment, learning, and spreading the Christian faith with the Pagan Irish of the 5th centruy.
Her life was an example of courage and faith. Let's explore it futher.
A Tough Irish Woman
And so from an early age Brigid showed she was strong-willed, and smart, attributes that helped her grow into a great leader.
Another legend claims she avoided marriage to the King by praying to God to take away her beauty. She soon developed the pox, disfiguring one half of her face, thus making her unmarriageable.
The King of Leinster himself granted her land in Kildare to build her monastery. Legend has it he granted her the amount of land equal to the size of her cape.
Once Brigid spread her cape over the ground, it kept spreading and spreading until it covered a vast acreage. The King could not renege on his promise and gave her all the land covered by her cape, upon which she built a great monastery. for both monks and nuns.
A Center Of Great Learning
St. Brigid promoted learning and craftsmanship within her community of holy men and women.
When Gerald of Wales visited Kildare in the twelfth century he described the Gospel Book of Kildare as being so beautiful it must have been the work of angels.
This magnificent work of art has been lost over the centuries, but some believe it may be the famous Book of Kells or a similarly illuminated manuscript.
A Woman Who Knew How To Party
Not only was Brigid a master of 5th century multi-tasking, she was kind and compassionate, and very fond of a good party.
She understood the importance of good food with plenty to drink when family, friends and strangers gathered together.
Brigid liked an odd beer, or two or three or four. She brewed beer. She served beer in abundance. She drank beer. She gave her beer away. And when she didn't have enough beer to go around she miraculously created more beer from water.
One keg of Brigid's beer not only satisfied a monastery of monks in need of ale, it quenched the thirst of 17 more monasteries full of beer-loving saints and sinners. She turned well water into ale on one occasion, and the old legends of her brewing prowess record other beer making miracles.
One can't but help notice the similarities between Brigid's miracles and Jesus' miracles in the Bible. Stories of turning water into wine may not have been understood by 5th century Celts, but a woman changing water into beer may have made these miracles far more realistic for our pagan ancestors.
Fact or fiction we'll never know, because in Ireland we always say "never let the truth get in the way of a good story" and there are plenty of good stories when it comes to St. Brigid.
© Copyright Kieran Campbell and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons License
Holy Wells
Holy wells dot the Irish countryside and many are named after St. Brigid. Our super woman saint of the 5th century probably never set foot next, nigh nor near most of these wells, but her name was bestowed upon them through her namesake Brigid, the Celtic goddess of fire, poetry, unity, childbirth and healing.
Holy wells were sacred places for the ancient Celts. When Irish people converted to Christianity they transferred many rituals from their Celtic Religion directly into their new Christian traditions. The fact their very first female saint was named after the old Celtic goddess made this transformation of sacred places all the more easy.
© Copyright louise Price and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licencse
And so, St. Brigid's holy wells are still visited to this very day. A small "clootie" or a piece of cloth is dipped into the well.
The water is used to wash any wounds or bless any ailing part of the body. The clootie is then tied to a tree to seek spiritual healing. Old rags can be seen tied to trees around these holy wells to this very day.
A Symbol Of Fire
St. Brigid is symbolized by fire in old Irish tradition.. What better way to memorialize a stubborn, fiery woman. In her honour a perpetual fire was kept burning in her monastery in Kildare for over one thousand years.
Fire represents her wisdom, love of poetry, her healing ministry and her support for the art of metallurgy.
Her flame burned brightly in Kildare for centuries. It was extinguished in 1220 by Henri de Londres, a Norman Archbishop of Dublin, or other stories clame it burned until 1540 when it was extinguished by none other than Henry VIII when he ransacked Ireland's religious houses and brought about the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
A perpetual flame burns once again in her honor in Kildare. On February 1st, 1993 a flame was relit in the Market Square in the town, and is now kept burning at Solas Bhride, a Celtic Spirituality Center. Hats off to the people of Kildare for reigniting devotion to this Irish woman of the ages.
The Prayer of St. Brigid
A poem dating to the eighth century is attributed to St. Brigid and is preserved in a manuscript in a Brussels' library. Her poetic words sum up her outlook on life, and above all her great faith.
"I should like a great lake of the finest ale
for the King of kings.
I should like a table of the choicest food
for the family of heaven.
Let the ale be made from the fruits of faith,
And the food be forgiving love.
I should welcome the poor to my feast,
for they are God’s children.
I should welcome the sick to my feast,
for they are God’s joy.
Let the poor sit with Jesus at the highest place,
and the sick dance with the angels. . .
(quoted in Van de Weyer, Celtic Fire)
St. Brigid's Day Blessings To All
And so, St. Brigid definitely deserves the title of Strong Irish Woman. She was direct, confident, and outgoing. She knew what she wanted and she made sure she accomplished her goals. Never self-centered she cared for the sick, the poor, and the dying.
This St. Brigid's Day 2016, let's pray that in the coming year we may live lives filled with concern for others, demonstrated by generosity towards those in need, just like St. Brigid.
But may we also emulate the self-confident, brave, and fiery spirit of the bold Brigid whenever life so demands.
If you are interested in learning more about Saint Brigid of Ireland, here are some more ramblings you might enjoy...
The Meaning of the Saint Brigid's Cross
Boxty - A Traditonal Irish Dish For Saint Brigid's Day
County Kildare - Site of Saint Brigid's Cathedral
Saint Brigid's Links to Lisbon, Portugal
Thanks for stopping by.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
Here are some other posts you might enjoy...
How To Make A Saint Brigid's Cross Using Pipe Cleaners
Pat Fordyce
As always, a pleasure to read the historical fables and facts you explain to us. I am a new admirer of St. Brigid .........thank you!
Irish American Mom
Hi Pat - Glad you enjoyed my little ramble about St. Brigid today - she definitely was a woman of substance, and no push-over.
All the best, and happy St. Brigid's Day.
Mairéad
Patricia
Wow, Mairead! So much I never knew about St. Brigid! She really should be the patron saint of beer brewers! Thanks for all of this information about this strong Irish woman! May we all imitate her caring ways.
Irish American Mom
Hi Patricia - So many stories about St. Brigid - it's hard to know where to begin and end, but I do like the fact she ran a brewery and fed multitudes from her monastery in Kildare. She traveled Ireland driving her own chariot. She was a woman to be reckoned with.
Take care, and thanks for stopping by.
Mairéad
Maureen O Hanlon
Thank you Mairead
I too love St Brigids day, the 1st of February brings such joy and hope, I went down Doneraile park today and to hear the birdsong and new life sprouting up around the place was lovely, and of course the ST Brigids crosses, I love making them.
Have a good day Mairead,
MAUREEN
Irish American Mom
Hi Maureen - It sounds like you had a lovely day in Doneraile Park today. It's so nice to hear spring has sprung in your neck of the woods. And thank you for your photo of the St. Brigid's Crosses - I used it again in this blog post, linking the credit to your Facebook page "Make Time For Nature".
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Karen White
I read somewhere (will never remember where) when I was a kid, that the story behind the Cross of St. Brigid went like this: a powerful chieftain was angry that Brigid was spreading Christianity to his people and imprisoned her he took every possession she had, but left her her cross. she taught her guards to pray, and the chief took her cross. she fastened another of twigs she found in her cell, and continued to convert those she came in contact with. the chieftain confiscated this cross, too. Brigid then wove the cross from the rushes on the floor of her cell, and hid it easily under them when the chief came to inspect her cell for 'contraband'. finding nothing, he assumed he had robbed her of her power by taking her 'Christian symbol' and when she continued to teach and pray with guards, other prisoners, and those who cam outside her window, he relented and learned from Brigid himself, and was converted, whereupon, she presented him with the cross of rushes, which he hung above his own bed.
Irish American Mom
Hi Karen - I really like your version of the story behind the St. Brigid's Cross. There are many variations, and the one I heard as a little girl was that St. Brigid cared for a dying pagan chieftan, whom she converted to Christianity just before he died, by making a cross from the rushes on his bedroom floor. I like your version of the story better. There's more tension in the tale, showing more fire and determination in St. Brigid's character. Thanks for stopping by, and checking out this post.
All the best,
Mairéad
Patty O'John
Dear Mairead,
Thank you for the great history lesson on St Bridget ?? Didn't know this story, have always loved the name. Through our genealogy we've learned my husbands great Granma was a Bridget. We missed Co Kildare in Eire' but when we go back we will certainly visit the monastery. Saints stories are always so fascinating. I got a chance to see Pope Francis on the West Lawn of the Capitol & he is a strong advocate of the poor as Brigid was. Will pass this onto my husband. It makes me decide even more to whenever I get my T-Shirt business started will give 50% to the poor.
Top O' Day!! ☘??????
Irish American Mom
Hi Patty - I'm delighted you enjoyed this post about one of Ireland's favorite patron saints, especially since your husband's great-grandma was named Bridget. Wishing you every success with your T-Shirt business, and as it grows you will accomplish so much through your generous donations. What a wonderful plan.
All the best,
Mairéad
brian@irelandfavorites
Just back from paying homage to the Saint, but my wife doesn't believe me that I was drinking water and it miraculously changed to beer. Oh well, can't expect two miracles in the same day,
Cheers and marvelous work,
Brian.
Irish American Mom
Hi Brian - We Irish pay great homage to St. Brigid. Hope you enjoyed your miraculous pint.
All the best,
Mairéad
Debbie C
Mairead,
I've always had a fascination in learning about the saints. Many thanks for your exceptional research into the history of this remarkable woman.
Debbie
Irish American Mom
Hi Debbie - St. Brigid may have lived many centuries ago, but her legacy and legend live on in Ireland today. Thanks so much for checking my story emphasizing her wonderful traits and how she is a role model for women to this very day.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
allen
the saint inspired me a lot got to know a bout the sent from a sister and have started my prayers and devortion through her to Jesus christ
Irish American Mom
Hi Allen - Thanks so much for sharing your devotion to St. Brigid with us. She is a powerful intercessor.
Blessings to you and yours,
Mairéad
An actual irish mom
Once again a christian bastardized version of Irish culture. She was the most popular goddess in irish pagan culture and couldn't be eradicated easily by the church who quite literally killed people for not converting. So Saint Brigid was born. Just like Christmas was born.
Could you guys stop stealing from other cultures for once? You want to learn about your culture and yet spout the lies of the people who murdered our own ancestors.
Irish American Mom
Hello there (actual Irish mom) - Thank you for sharing your perspective, but I truly wish you could have shared your viewpoint in a less condescending and judgemental fashion. First of all, I too am an actual Irish mom. I was born in Ireland and the fact I lived in America for over 20 years does not make me less Irish than you. Over the years I have received many emails from Irish people expressing views that are just plain rude towards Irish Americans. I feel ashamed that Irish people believe it is acceptable to be so authoritative and unaccepting of others, who share a similar heritage.
Saint Brigid evolved from a Celtic goddess into a Christian myth, and through this process was integral to Irish culture for over 1600 years. Our Irish culture includes both our Christian and Celtic past, in addition to our history as a colony of the British Empire. Our history is not for the faint of heart, but includes much bloodshed, suffering and conflict. As you point out, the conversion of our Celtic ancestors to Christianity was not always achieved through Christian means. However, the traits admired in the goddess Brigid, and in the character of Saint Brigid developed by our Christian ancestors, are all noteworthy. This post was written in admiration of those traits. I do not believe this piece warranted your angry response.
Wishing you the very best, and may the peace of the goddess Brigid bring you a sense of calm and acceptance.
Mairéad