St Bridget’s Day – February 1st
St. Bridget
of Ireland
Patron saint of Ireland, poets, healers, fugitives, dairymaids, cattle, blacksmiths, Irish nuns, midwives, and new-born babies.
As you walk in the front door of the school main building, you might notice a door knocker shaped like two hands holding a heart that says “Céad Míle Fáilte”.
It’s welcoming you with “One Hundred Thousand Welcomes” in Gaeilge (Irish) and you can ask Mrs. Sweeney to pronounce it for you any day! This knocker is a tiny reminder of the history of Irish priests, nuns and some Irish-American families that were (and still are) a part of St. Peter Claver.
Today is a special one for our Irish friends; it’s the feast of St. Bridget, the patron saint of Ireland. You have likely all heard about St. Patrick, but St. Bridget is a much bigger that St. Patrick for many Irish people and there are many myths and traditions surrounding her feast day.
First though, let’s find out a bit about Bridget and how she is as relevant today as she was in her own time in the 5th Century.
Her Story
She was born a slave, and eventually rose to the level of an abbess (Bishop) in the Church before the creation of the Roman Catholic Church. That’s why you will often see pictures of her holding a bishop’s crozier (that’s that funny staff that looks like a shepherd’s hook and is the symbol of a bishop’s power).
Woman of the Land
Bridget is remembered through the ages as a woman of the land. Her feast day on the 1st February marks the first day of Spring in the northern hemisphere. It is the season when we celebrate new life on earth. St. Bridget’s love of the land and nature challenges us to greater care for the earth and each other.
Friend of the Poor
Bridget had an extraordinary concern and compassion for the poor people of her time. Her legends challenge us share the goods of the earth with our brothers and sisters especially those who live in desperate poverty.
Woman of Hospitality
Bridget’s spirit of hospitality is legendary. For Bridget, every guest is Christ.
A Peacemaker
Feuds between clans were commonplace in Bridget’s day. She is often referred to as a peacemaker who intervened in disputes between rival factions and brought healing and reconciliation. She challenges us to be peacemakers and peacekeepers.
Model of Equality
Bridget held a unique position in the early Irish church. Scholars tell us that she presided over the local church of Kildare and was head of a double monastery for men and women. She challenges both men and women today to create a church and a society where men and women are equally respected.
Symbolism
Bridget is associated with many symbols; fire, water and the St. Bridget’s cross. There is a perpetual flame called Solas Bride (Bridget’s Light) in the town where she founded her double monastery and there are many holy wells in Ireland associated with her.
Also, almost every Irish home has a St. Bridget’s cross, and children make them on her feast day or the night before. Once the cross is woven, it is blessed with holy water and a blessing,
“May the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost be on this Cross and on the place where it hangs and on everyone who looks on it.”
Then, the cross is hung on the front doors of homes throughout the year. It is burned and replaced by freshly woven cross next year. Drop by Mrs. Sweeney’s office to see her St. Bridget’s cross.
Why is Bridget Important Today?
Today, as we seek a renewed vision and approach to both the spiritual and the material world, we pray that we may recapture something of the essence of the deeply spiritual, holistic, ecologically sensitive, inclusive and egalitarian Church which St. Bridget knew and led. Following her example, may we grow each day into greater wholeness of mind, body and spirit!