St Bridget or Brigid - A Saint that legends are made of

St. Bridget or Brigid is recognized as the patroness of Ireland, along with St. Patrick and St. Columba. She is affectionately referred to as “Mary of the

Gaels”. Her humble beginnings as the daughter of a pagan chieftain and an impoverished Christian slave gave rise to the greatness that became the story of legends. As a child, St. Bridget was immensely generous, giving food and gifts to the less fortunate. This generosity enraged her father. but he could not stop her charitable nature.  Eventually, her strong will and giving spirit led him to send her away.

After leaving her father’s home, St. Bridget continued in her pious journey and founded a convent and monastery in Kildare.  These co-dependent institutions were centers for worship, art and fellowship.  She founded many churches and taught throughout Ireland. 

It is retold that on her travels, she sat by the bed of a dying pagan chieftain (some accounts, her father) and she began to make a cross from the rushes on the floor. He was so moved by her ability to see Christ in the weeds, that he converted to Christianity on his death bed. Today, St. Bridget’s crosses, woven from rushes, are hung over many doorways in Ireland. For thousands of years, the cross has invoked Bridget’s protection and blessing on households and animals.

St. Bridget’s Christian story, much like her cross, is woven with miracles and wonders. She miraculously doubled a housewife’s store of butter and increased farmers’ herds of cattle and sheep. Bridget is said to have cured infertility in women and animals and water touched by her hand could heal the sick. These recounted acts make her the patron saint of dairy maids, midwives, infants, blacksmiths, poets and nuns. Fiery images are frequently associated with St. Bridget, whose name means “fiery arrow”. Following her death in 525 AD, the convent St. Bridget found in Kildare kept a fire light burning in her honor for centuries.

As always, Irish folklore intertwines with Celtic legend. The Celts echo a link from St. Bridgets to the good goddess of fertility, whose footsteps would awaken the seeds in the ground so they could grow. With such stories, the legend of St. Bridget is both powerful and supernatural. Her strength, goodness and determination created a force still blessed and loved in Ireland. We revere this patron of Ireland and take her as a shining example of what it means to live life’s convictions courageously and with generosity……and the land and it’s people will take you as it’s own.