Today is the feast of our most famous female saint, Brigid who died 1500 years ago. Born around Faughart in Co Louth and the daughter of a chieftain, Brigid was deeply committed to her Christian faith and is most closely associated with Kildare where she founded a monastery, but her legacy is also one of care for the poor and the sick, an affinity with the animals and the earth, and as a herald of the coming of Spring. She was a contemporary of St Patrick, and many traditions honouring Brigid continue across the country even centuries later: the making of St Brigid’s crosses , the placing of the brat Bhríde outside on the eve of her feast, and her association with various holy wells and this year is the first time we will celebrate her with a national public holiday. There are aspects of Brigid’s legacy which point to the Celtic goddess Brigid who was honoured at the Celtic feast of Imbolc, a celebration of fertility, the coming of Spring, longer days and a new growing season. In this sense Brigid represents a call, not only to live in greater harmony with the rest of God’s creation, but also to value the past as well as the future.

To this end, we were delighted to host a gathering to celebrate St Brigid here in the Centre this week. A group of students from St Mary’s GNS, Glasnevin joined with some of our friends from Ballymun and a few of the Glasnevin Holy Faith community to share stories and make St Brigid crosses. We had a lovely morning, with lots of conversation and fun, learning from each other how to make the crosses and honouring a woman who serves as a role model for each of us, regardless of our age. Brigid, Mary of the Gael pray for us. Beannachtaí Lá fhéile Bríghid oraibh go léir!


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