 The Rt Rev Jack L Iker, SSC, Bishop The Rev Mark A Stockstill, SSC, Vicar Office 325.356.2997 Vicarage 325.356.2198 Cell 325.330.2411 mastockstill@yahoo.com |
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Brigid 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. 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.