Statue of Saint Brigid from her well in Kildare Town
Tuesday, 1 February 2022, is the Feast of Saint Brigid, Abbess and Secondary Patron of Ireland. Saint Brigid is renowned for her hospitality, almsgiving and care of the sick.
Saint Brigid was born in 454 and she went on to found a double monastery in Kildare with the assistance of Bishop Conleth. The Saint Brigid’s Cross, in legend used by Brigid to explain the Christian faith, remains a popular sign of God’s protection.
Speaking about Saint Brigid last week, Bishop Denis Nulty of Kildare and Bishop Patricia Storey the Church of Ireland Bishop of Meath and Kildare said,
“Brigid means many things to many people. Symbol and story feature strongly in her life. Brigid was born around 454 and died about 524. For people of faith Saint Brigid represents that transition from paganism to Christianity in Celtic Ireland. In 480 she founded her monastery in Kildare, the church of the oak tree. Every school child knows the song of Brigid and how her cloak covered the area we know today as the Curragh, Saint Brigid’s Field. Brigid is linked with the earth, with agriculture, particularly ploughing, sowing, milking, butter-making and, of course, vibrant Christian faith. Brigid was extravagant in her hospitality.
“It is very appropriate that a new public holiday will honour Saint Brigid. As the secondary saint in Ireland to Patrick, for too long she has been lost in his shadow. We warmly welcome the news that Brigid is being rightly, and long after time, acknowledged.”
Video: How to make a Saint Brigid’s Cross
Click here to see how a Saint Brigid’s Cross is made
Blessing of Saint Brigid’s Crosses
Father of all creation and Lord of Light,
you have given us life and entrusted your creation to us to use it and to care for it.
We ask you to bless these crosses made of green rushes in memory of holy Brigid,
who used the cross to recall and to teach your Son’s life, death and resurrection.
May these crosses be a sign of our sharing in the Paschal Mystery of your Son and a sign of your protection of our lives, our land and its creatures through Brigid’s intercession during the coming year and always. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
The crosses are sprinkled with holy water:
May the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be on these crosses and on the places where they hang and on everyone who looks at them. Amen.
Saint Brigid’s Blessing
May Brigid bless the house wherein we dwell.
Bless every fireside, every wall and door.
Bless every heart that beats beneath its roof.
Bless every hand that toils to bring its joy.
Bless every foot that walks portals through.
May Brigid bless the house that shelters us.
Prayer to 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
Intercessions
(taken from Morning Prayer for the Feast of St Brigid)
We praise the Lord Jesus Christ who led St. Brigid along the paths of Justice and holiness; and pray that we may follow his way.
Response; Lord, be our light and salvation.
Through your resurrection, Lord Jesus, new light came into our darkness – let your Church be a light to the world.
Response; Lord, be our light and salvation.
At the springtime of the year we renew our hope – give us the grace to encourage all whom we meet today.
Response; Lord, be our light and salvation.
Brigid dedicated her life to prayer and service – bring many more women to give their lives to the dedicated service and holiness of religious life.
Response; Lord, be our light and salvation.
Lord Jesus, you gave Brigid the desire to serve and not be served – may we spend our lives in the service of others.
Response; Lord, be our light and salvation.
You made the word of St. Brigid fruitful; – give success to the work of our hands.
Response; Lord, be our light and salvation.
Ends
