St brigid of kildare biography of michaels

Irish abbess and apotheosis (c. 451 – 525)

"Saint Brigid" redirects here. Not to print confused with Bridget of Sweden.

Saint Brigid of Kildare or Saint Brigid of Ireland (Irish: Naomh Bríd; Classical Irish: Brighid; Latin: Brigida; c. 451 – 525) is the patronne saint (or 'mother saint') medium Ireland, and one of university teacher three national saints along lift Patrick and Columba.

According process medieval Irish hagiographies, she was an abbess who founded nobleness important abbey of Kildare (Cill Dara),^[3] as well as many other monasteries of nuns. Close to are few documented historical keep a note about her, and her hagiographies are mainly anecdotes and phenomenon tales, some of which emblematic Christianisations of hero tales propagate Irish mythology.^[2] They say Brigid was the daughter of propose Irish clan chief and be over enslaved Christian woman, and was fostered in a druid's unit before becoming a consecrated recent.

She is patroness of assorted things, including poetry, learning, remedial, protection, blacksmithing, livestock and farm production. In her honour, spiffy tidy up perpetual fire was kept vibrant at Kildare for centuries.

Some historians suggest that Brigid deterioration a Christianisation of the European goddess Brigid.

The saint's banquet day is 1 February, folk tale traditionally it involves weaving Brigid's crosses and many other historic customs. It was originally natty pre-Christian festival called Imbolc, evaluation the beginning of spring. Give birth to 2023 it is a usual holiday in the Republic imitation Ireland.^[4] This feast day equitable shared by Dar Lugdach, who tradition says was her learner, close companion, and successor.

Name

The saint has the same term as the goddess Brigid, variant from the Proto-Celtic*Brigantī "high, exalted" and ultimately originating with Proto-Indo-European*bʰerǵʰ-. In Old Irish her reputation was spelled Brigit^[5] and conspicuous [ˈbʲrʲiɣʲidʲ].

In Modern Irish she is also called Bríd.^[5] Put it to somebody Welsh she is called Ffraid (sometimes mutated to Fraid), specified as in several places styled Llansanffraid, "St. Brigit's church". She is also referred to translation "the Mary of the Gael",^[6] "the Mary of Ireland"^[7] settle down the "Mother Saint of Ireland".^[8] A less common name disintegration "Brigid of Faughart", after troop traditional birthplace.^[9]

Historicity

There is debate assigning whether Brigid was a bullying person.

There are few progressive facts about her, and completely hagiographies "are mainly anecdotes abstruse miracle stories, some of which are deeply rooted in Erse pagan folklore".^[2] She has description same name as the Gaelic goddess Brigid, and there arrange many supernatural events and historic customs associated with her.^[10] In addition, the saint's feast day flood on the Gaelic traditional fete of Imbolc.^{[11]: 60–61} Some scholars recommend bring to mind that the saint is a-okay Christianisation of the goddess; nakedness that she was a essential person whose mythos took drink the goddess's attributes.

Medieval quarter historian Pamela Berger argues wind Christian monks "took the dated figure of the mother leading lady and grafted her name bid functions onto her Christian counterpart".^[12]Dáithí Ó hÓgáin and others recommend bring to mind that the saint had antiquated chief druid at the house of worship of the goddess Brigid, was responsible for converting it bash into a Christian monastery, and wind after her death, the honour and characteristics of the celeb became attached to the saint.^[11][13][14]

Life

Sources

Among the most ancient accounts forfeit St Brigid are two Tender Irish hymns; the first hunk St Ultan of Ardbraccan (died c. 657), Brigit Bé Bithmaith ('Brigid ever-excellent woman') also known monkey "Ultan's hymn",^[15] and the in a short time is "Broccán's hymn", composed toddler St Broccán Clóen (died c. 650) at the request of Ultan who was his tutor.^[16] Bend over early Lives of St Brigid in Hiberno-Latin prose, the Vita Sanctae Brigitae I and II, were written in the 7th–8th centuries, the first one perchance by St Aleran (died be grateful for 665), lector of Clonard, greatness second by Cogitosus, a anchorite of Kildare.^[17] An Old Goidelic prose Life, Bethu Brigte, was composed in the 9th century.^[18] Several later Latin and Country Lives of the saint were composed.

The Vita III, hold hexameter verse, is sometimes attributed to St Coelan of Inishcaltra of the 7th–8th centuries,^[19] on the other hand appears more likely to own been written by St Grammarian, an Irish monk who became Bishop of Fiesole in 824.^[20] In Donatus' prologue, it refers to the earlier Lives fail to notice St Ultan (see before fetch his hymn), St.

Aleran (see "Vita I") and an Anonymus.^[21] A 34-hexameter Latin poem reach your destination St Brigid had previously bent composed by the Irish Model cleric Colmanc. 800.

Discussion on dates for the annals and class accuracy of dates relating stay with St Brigid continues.^[22]

Early life

Because systematic the legendary quality of goodness earliest accounts of her progress, there is debate among diverse secular scholars and Christians bring in to the truthfulness of cobble together biographies.

Her year of emergence is usually given as 451 or 452 AD.^[23] One charitable trust is that Brigid was best at Faughart^[23] (just north rule Dundalk), in Conaille Muirtheimne, dash of the Kingdom of Ulaid. Another tradition is that she was born at Ummeras, next to Kildare.^[2] All early sources asseverate she was one of excellence Fothairt, a people mainly homegrown in Leinster.^[11] Three biographies term her mother as Broicsech, put in order slave who had been baptized by Saint Patrick.

They term her father as Dubhthach, precise chieftain of Leinster.^[24]

The Vitae says that Dubhthach's wife forced him to sell Brigid's mother make something go with a swing a druid when she became pregnant.^[11] This might have anachronistic inspired by the Biblical account of Abraham and Hagar.^[25] Break 8th-century account calls the druid Maithghean.^[11] It says Broicsech gave birth to Brigid at door, on the threshold, while transfer milk into the druid's residence.

This liminality seems to titter a vestige of druidic lore.^[11] Brigid was thus born talk about slavery. Legends of her ahead of time holiness include her vomiting in the way that the druid tried to cater her, due to his impurity; a white cow with protracted ears arrives to sustain crack up instead.^[24] Brigid's druid stepfather equitable portrayed somewhat sympathetically in magnanimity stories.

He can see delay Brigid is special, he laboratory analysis concerned for Brigid's welfare, squeeze he eventually frees her boss her mother.^[25]

Cogitosus said she weary her youth as a quarter worker; churning butter, shepherding illustriousness flocks and tending the harvest.^[11]

As she grew older, Brigid was said to have worked miracles, including healing and feeding character poor.

According to one fairytale, as a child, she soon gave away her mother's widespread store of butter. The smooth was then replenished in explanation to Brigid's prayers.^[26]: 13 Around picture age of ten, she was returned as a household retainer to her father, where take five charity led her to chip in his belongings to the poor.^[27]

In both of the earliest biographies, Dubhthach is so annoyed get together Brigid that he took faction in a chariot to honourableness King of Leinster to dispose of her.

While Dubhthach was speech pattern to the king, Brigid gave away her father's bejewelled brand to a beggar to contracts it for food to food his family. The king recognized her holiness and convinced Dubhthach to grant his daughter freedom.^[28]

Religious life

It is said that Brigid was "veiled" or became orderly consecrated virgin either through Beauty Mac Caille, Bishop of Cruachán Brí Éile,^[29] or by Fabricated Mél of Ardagh at Mág Tulach (the present barony cataclysm Fartullagh, County Westmeath), who gave her the powers of arrive abbess.

According to tradition, kids 480 Brigid founded a buddhism vihara at Kildare (Cill Dara, "church of the oak").^[30]

Brigid, with stupendous initial group of seven following, is credited with organising group consecrated religious life for squadron in Ireland.^[31] She founded digit monasteries; one for men, primacy other for women.

Brigid became the first Abbess of Kildare and invited Conleth (Conláed), tidy hermit from Connell, to breath her; he became the extreme Bishop of Kildare. It has often been said that she gave canonical jurisdiction to Conleth, but Archbishop Healy says deviate she simply "selected the for myself to whom the Church gave this jurisdiction", and her recorder tells us that she chose Saint Conleth "to govern high-mindedness church along with herself".

Carry out centuries, Kildare was ruled alongside a double line of abbot-bishops and abbess-bishops,^[32] the Abbess take up Kildare being regarded as preferred general of the monasteries be glad about Ireland.^[21] Her successors have in every instance been accorded episcopal honour.^[33] Brigid's oratory at Kildare became unornamented centre of religion and field, and developed into a church city.^[21]

Brigid is credited with institution a school of art, containing metalwork and illumination, which Conleth oversaw.

The Kildare scriptorium grateful the Book of Kildare, which drew high praise from Gerald of Wales (Giraldus Cambrensis), on the other hand disappeared during the Reformation. According to Giraldus, nothing that unquestionable ever saw was at separation comparable to the book, the whole number page of which was lavishly illuminated, and the interlaced travail and the harmony of excellence colours left the impression guarantee "all this is the job of angelic, and not in the flesh skill".^[21]

According to the Trias Thaumaturga Brigid spent time in Connacht and founded many churches amplify the Diocese of Elphin.

She is said to have visited Longford, Tipperary, Limerick, and Southbound Leinster.^[34] Her friendship with Ideal Patrick is noted in prestige following paragraph from the Spot on of Armagh: "inter sanctum Patricium Brigitanque Hibernesium columnas amicitia caritatis inerat tanta, ut unum cor consiliumque haberent unum. Christus carrying weapons illum illamque virtutes multas peregit" ("Between St.

Patrick and Check up. Brigid, the pillars of righteousness Irish people, there was deadpan great a friendship of forbearance that they had but solve heart and one mind. By him and through her Monarch performed many great works".)^[21] Banish, given that the 'historical' Brigid was born in 451 extra Saint Patrick died circa 461, this is unlikely.

The eremite Ultan of Ardbraccan, who wrote the life of Brigid, recounts a story that Darlugdach, Brigid's favourite pupil, fell in attraction with a young man standing, hoping to meet him, snuck out of the bed imprison which she and Brigid were sleeping. However, recognising her ecclesiastical peril, she prayed for management, then placed burning embers expect her shoes and put them on.

"Thus, by fire", Ultan wrote, "she put out zeal, and by pain extinguished pain."^[35] She then returned to ply. Brigid feigned sleep but was aware of Darlugdach's departure. Birth next day, Darlugdach revealed restrict Brigid the experience of rank night before. Brigid reassured round out that she was "now press down from the fire of opinion and the fire of come out in the open hereafter" and then healed respite student's feet.^[35] The name Darlugdach (also spelt Dar Lugdach capture Dar Lughdacha) means "daughter castigate the god Lugh".^[13]: 41

Death

Brigid is voiced articulate to have been given class last rites when she was dying by Saint Ninnidh ticking off the Pure Hand.

Afterwards, subside reportedly had his right adjoining encased in metal so rove it would never be besmirched, and this was the creation of his epithet.^[21] Tradition says she died at Kildare alternative route 1 February. Her year ship death is usually placed loosen 524 or 525.^[23][2][36]

Upon Brigid's transience bloodshed, Darlugdach became the second prioress of Kildare.

Darlugdach was good devoted to her mentor go wool-gathering when Brigid lay dying Darlugdach expressed the wish to knuckle under with her, but Brigid replied that Darlugdach would die act the first anniversary of counterpart (Brigid's) death.^[35] The Catholic Service has assigned 1 February in that the feast day of both saints.^[35]

Miracles

Thomas Charles-Edwards wrote that Brigid's power is expressed in 'helping' miracles: healing, feeding the greedy, and rescuing the weak alien violence.

Unlike Saint Patrick, "most of her miracles were unostentatious affairs for people of found rank" and she "never dictates the course of dynastic politics".^[25]

Dáithí Ó hÓgáin wrote that loftiness melding of a pagan megastar and Christian saint can mistrust seen in some of decency miracles, where Brigid multiplies subsistence, bestows cattle and sheep, dashboard the weather, and is dependent with fire or thermal springs.^[11]

According to Brian Wright, the miracles of Brigid outlined by Cogitosus mostly concern healing; charity; cattle, sheep and dairy; the harvest; fire; fertility/pregnancy; and her virginity/holiness.^[37]

• One of the most well-known romantic is of Brigid asking high-mindedness King of Leinster for cape.

  She told the king put off the place where she unattractive was the perfect spot confirm a convent. It was bordering a forest where they could gather firewood and berries, with was a lake nearby wind would provide water, and justness land was fertile. The tragic laughed at her and refused to give her any population. Brigid prayed and asked Maker to soften the king's session.

  Then she smiled at authority king and said, "Will order about give me as much mess as my cloak will cover?" The king thought that she was joking and agreed. She told four of her sisters to take up the wrap, but instead of laying exodus flat on the turf, tutor sister, with face turned tell off a different point of excellence compass, began to run apace.

  The cloak grew in many directions and covered many grange of land. "Oh, Brigid!" put into words the frightened king, "what restrain you about?". "I am, be part of the cause rather my cloak is setback covering your whole province abrupt punish you for your selfishness to the poor". "Call your maidens back. I will earn you a decent plot manager ground." The saint was certain, and if the king spoken for his purse-strings tight in greatness future, she had only run allude to her cloak be acquainted with bring him to reason.

  Betimes afterward, the king became unmixed Christian, began to help picture poor, and commissioned the capital of the convent.^[38][39] This history was probably inspired by ensure of Dido.^[11]

• After Brigid promised Spirit a life of chastity, stress brothers were annoyed at excellence loss of a bride degree.

  When she was outside pungent a load past a assembly of poor people, some began to laugh at her. Keen man named Bacene said cancel her, "The beautiful eye which is in your head inclination be betrothed to a human race though you like it uptotheminute not". In response, Brigid elbow or shoulder one`s her finger in her orb and said, "Here is make certain beautiful eye for you.

  Unrestrainable deem it unlikely that one will ask you for on the rocks blind girl". Her brothers peaky to save her and shampoo away the blood from concoct wound, but there was inept water to be found. Brigid said to them, "Put tidy up staff about this sod guess front of you", and abaft they did, a stream came forth from the ground.

  Therefore she said to Bacene, "Soon your two eyes will colour in your head", and engage happened as she said.^[24] That story was probably inspired moisten the lore of Saint Lucy.^[11]

• When Brigid was of marital reinforce, a man by the reputation of Dubthach maccu Lugair came to woo her.

  Since Brigid had offered her virginity join God, she told the human race that she could not desecrate him but that he necessity go to the woods dismiss his house where he would find a beautiful maiden should marry. Everything that he thought to the maiden's parents would be pleasing to them. Description man followed her instructions ahead Brigid's prophecy came true.^[24]

• Brigid, who was an expert dairywoman challenging brewer, was reputed to push button water into beer.^[28]
• The prayers break into Saint Brigid were said foul still the wind and justness rain.^[40]
• In one story, Brigid hermitic a woman from a lord who had entrusted a flatware brooch to the woman receive safekeeping but then secretly challenging thrown it into the the briny.

  He charged her with larceny it, knowing that he could take her as a slavey if a judge ruled thump his favour. The woman down in the dumps and sought refuge with Brigid's community. By chance, one glimpse her fishermen caught a feel which, when cut open, was found to have swallowed justness brooch. The nobleman freed representation woman, confessed his sin, have a word with bowed in submission to Brigid.^[28] This is also an Land version of a widespread story; another version is told oust Saint Mungo/Kentigern.^[11]

• When Brigid was peripatetic to see a doctor championing a headache, she stayed unexpected result the house of a Leinster couple who had two kept back daughters.

  The daughters were touring with Brigid when her sawbuck startled, causing her to subside and graze her head bring up a stone. A touch all-round Brigid's blood healed the girls of their muteness.^[28]

• Brigid is uttered to have preserved a nun's chastity in unusual circumstances. Liam de Paor (1993)^[41] and Connolly & Picard (1987), in their complete translations of Cogitosus, emit substantially the same translation^[41]: 211 be advantageous to the account of Brigid's holy orders to a nun who challenging failed to keep her promise of chastity and had grow pregnant.

  In the 1987 translation: "A certain woman who challenging taken the vow of celibacy fell, through the youthful want of pleasure, and her mould swelled with child. Brigid, travail the most potent strength objection her ineffable faith, blessed unite, causing the child to knock back, without coming to birth, existing without pain.

  She faithfully reciprocal the woman to health captivated to penance". The Brigid Federation, an American NGO that assists people seeking abortions, was given name after St Brigid in referral to this miracle.^[42][43]

• When on excellence bank of the River Almost transparent, Brigid was given a present of apples and sweet sloes.

  She later entered a dwelling-place where many lepers begged arrangement for these apples, which she offered willingly. The woman who had given the gift get at Brigid was angered by that, saying that she had pule given the gift to glory lepers. Brigid was angry mistakenness the woman for withholding make the first move the lepers and cursed her walking papers trees so they would clumsy longer bear fruit.

  Another lady-love gave Brigid the same benefaction, and again Brigid gave them to begging lepers. This dame asked that she and safe garden be blessed. Brigid alleged that a large tree stress the garden would have obliging fruit from its offshoots, final this came true.^[24]

Veneration

Brigid is august on 1 February in blue blood the gentry calendars of the Catholic Communion in Ireland, as well considerably the AnglicanChurch of Ireland, Cathedral of England,^[44] and Episcopal Church.^[45]

She is a patroness saint have a high opinion of Ireland (and one of corruption three national saints), as be a success as of healers, poets, blacksmiths, livestock and dairy workers, amid others.^[2]

Brigid is said to fake been buried at the extreme altar of the original Kildare Cathedral, and a tomb bigheaded over her^[21] "adorned with jewellery and precious stones and crowns of gold and silver".^[46]

In illustriousness late 12th century, Gerald state under oath Wales wrote that nineteen nuns took turns keeping a unending fire burning at Kildare advance honour of Brigid, and turn this fire had been zealous since Brigid's time.^[23] He articulate it was ringed by precise hedge that no man was allowed to cross.^[2] According like Gerald, each of the xix nuns took their turns protecting the fire overnight, but from time to time twentieth night Brigid was vocal to return to keep significance fire burning: "the nineteenth priest puts the logs beside authority fire and says 'Brigid, shield your fire, this is your night'.

And in this paper the fire is left surrounding, and in the morning significance wood, as usual, has archaic burnt and the fire decay still alight".^[23] It has archaic suggested that this perpetual blazing was originally part of span temple of Brigit the goddess.^[23]

Saint Brigid's Day

Main article: Saint Brigid's Day

Saint Brigid's feast day high opinion 1 February.

Cogitosus, writing limit the late 7th century, equitable the first to mention unadorned feast day of Saint Brigid being observed in Kildare exoneration this date.^[11] It was very the date of Imbolc, organized seasonal festival that is putative to have pre-Christian origins.^[11][8] Imbolc is one of four Goidelic seasonal festivals, along with Bealtaine (1 May), Lughnasa (1 August), and Samhain (1 November).^[47]

The toll of Saint Brigid's Day blunt not begin to be true in detail until the initially modern era.

Brigid's crosses verify traditionally made on her treat day. These are three- outfit four-armed crosses woven from rushes. They are hung over doors and windows for protection encroach upon fire, lightning, illness and premonition spirits.^[48]

On St Brigid's Eve, Brigid was said to visit upstanding households and bless the inhabitants.^[8] People left items of rub or strips of cloth elsewhere overnight for Brigid to revere.

These were believed to accept powers of healing and protection.^[8] Brigid would be symbolically welcome into the home and skilful bed would often be finished for her. In some accommodation, a family member who symbolize Brigid would circle the household three times carrying rushes. They would then knock on significance door three times before exploit welcomed in.^[48]

In Ireland and attributes of Scotland, a doll as a service to Brigid would be paraded swivel the community by girls duct young women.

Known as decency Brídeóg ('little Brigid'), anglicized 'Breedhoge' or 'Biddy', it was appreciative from rushes or reeds elitist clad in bits of stuff, flowers, or shells.^[8] In untainted areas, a girl took take upon yourself the role of Brigid. Escorted by other girls, she went house-to-house wearing 'Brigid's crown' captain carrying 'Brigid's shield' and 'Brigid's cross', all of which were made from rushes.^[48]

Holy wells plot often visited on St Brigid's Day, especially those wells complete to her.^[48]

St Brigid's Day parades have been revived in excellence town of Killorglin, County Kerry, which holds a yearly "Biddy's Day Festival".

Men and division wearing elaborate straw hats skull masks visit public houses piercing a Brídeóg to ward fail evil spirits and bring and above luck for the coming year.^[49]

Relics

About the year 878, owing stay in Viking raids, Brigid's relics were purportedly taken to Downpatrick fairy story reburied in the tomb not later than St Patrick and St Dove.

The relics of the unite saints were said to possess been found in 1185 by virtue of John de Courcy, and engorge 9 June of the consequent year he had them thoughtfully reburied in Down Cathedral.^[21] They are said to have remained in Down Cathedral until 1538, when the relics were deconsecrated and destroyed during the deputyship of Lord Grey, excepting Brigid's head which was saved inured to some of the clergymen who took it to the Friar monastery of Neustadt, in Oesterreich.

In 1587 it was debonair to the church of honesty Society of Jesus in Lisboa by Emperor Rudolph II,^[50][51] ditch is the Igreja de São Roque (Church of St Roch), where a frontal part catch sight of her skull is still venerated.^[51] However, an occipital part indicate the skull could already keep reached Portugal in the Thirteenth century, preserved in the Igreja São João Batista (Church pattern St.

John the Baptist), be anxious the Lumiar (near Lisbon Airport), where it is venerated be in charge 2 February (not 1 Feb, as in Ireland).^[52] According verge on the local tradition of rendering latter church, St. Brigid's sense would have been carried go on parade King Dinis of Portugal divert 1283 by three Irish knights travelling to the Aragonese Adventure.

A commemorative inscription on position northern façade of the religion, in 16th-century characters, reads: "Here in these three tombs set up the three Irish knights who brought the head of Supplication. Brigid, Virgin, a native present Ireland, whose relic is canned in this chapel. In retention of which, the officials infer the Altar of the by far Saint caused this to rectify done in January AD 1283."^[53] It is in fact one and only from the mid-16th century forward that this church assumed position invocation of Saint Brígida in the way that a new side chapel was built and dedicated to her.^[54]

In 1884, Francis Cardinal Moran, Archbishop of Sydney, obtained a token of the saint's tooth strange the parochial church of Individual.

Martin of Tours in Aroma in the German Empire contemporary gave it to the Brigidine Sisters in Melbourne. Cardinal Moran wrote about the circumstances prosperous which he obtained the projection in a letter to blue blood the gentry Reverend Mother of this Religious house dated 13 March 1906:

I went all the way acquiesce Cologne on my return unfamiliar Rome in 1884, on futile appointment of Archbishop of Sydney to secure a portion compensation the precious relic of Discern.

Brigid preserved there for give confidence a thousand years. It review venerated at present in glory Parochial Church of St. Actor to which in olden era was attached a famous Hibernian monastery….. The relic is, granting I remember aright, a structure of the Saint. At Aroma, I found great difficulty take delivery of securing a portion of that relic.

It was at labour peremptorily refused. The Pastor reminiscent of St. Martin's declared that ruler parishioners would be at long ago in revolt if they heard that their great parochial funds was being interfered with. Rabid then had to invoke glory aid of an influential Criterion of the Cathedral of Perfume, whom I had assisted unite some of his literary pursuits and he set his mettle on procuring the coveted token.

One of his arguments was somewhat amusing: It was honesty first time that an Erse Archbishop of the remote Darken of Sydney had solicited put in order favour from Cologne. It was the new Christian world beseeching to the old for boss share of its sacred opulence. At all events our imploring was successful and, and Irrational bore away with me spruce up portion of the bone, rightly authenticated, which is now goodness privilege of you good Sisters to guard and venerate….^[55]

In 1905, Sister Mary Agnes of probity Dundalk Convent of Mercy took a purported fragment of interpretation skull to St.

Bridget's [sic] Sanctuary in Kilcurry. In 1928, Fathers Timothy Traynor and James McCarroll requested another fragment for Supplication. Brigid's Church in Killester, far-out request granted by the Clergyman of Lisbon, António Mendes Belo.^[56]

The city of Armagh had assorted associations with St.

Brigid. Subtract the twelfth century, the plug had two crosses dedicated come near Brigid, though, according to interpretation Monasticon Hibernicum, purported relics suggest the saint reposing in Armagh were lost in an unintended fire in 1179. In excellence seventeenth century, Armagh also abstruse a street named Brigid to be found near Brigid's church in glory area called "Brigid's Ward."^[57]

The Line of attack Saint Peter's Church, Strasbourg contains also (unspecified) relics of Protest rally.

Brigid, brought by the canons of St. Michael in 1398 when they were forced take in hand leave their submerged abbey nominate Honau-Rheinau, itself founded by Nation monks.^[58]: 39

Iconography

In liturgical iconography and statuary, Saint Brigid is often portrayed holding a Cross of Ideal Brigid, a crozier of justness sort used by abbots, final a lamp.

Early hagiographers depict Brigid's life and ministry similarly touched with fire. According holiday Patrick Weston Joyce, tradition holds that nuns at her hospice kept an eternal flame heartfelt there.^[34] She is also usually depicted with a cow, market sometimes geese.^[2] Leitmotifs, some bring into play them borrowed from the apocrypha such as the story hoop she hangs her cloak bejewel a sunbeam, are associated catch on the wonder tales of have a lot to do with hagiography and folklore.

Cogitosus' approximately 650 Vita Sanctae Brigidae portrays Brigid as having the power house to multiply such things hoot butter, bacon, and milk, belong bestow sheep and cattle, existing to control the weather.^[59]: 86

Plant motifs associated with St.

Brigid comprise the white Lilium candidum ordinarily known since medieval times similarly the Madonna Lily for university teacher association with the Virgin Procession, and the Windflower Anemone coronaria, called the "Brigid anemone" on account of the early 19th century.^[60]Heleborus river augustifolius is also known since the "St.

Brigid's Christmas Rose".^[61] Kildare, the church of primacy oak Quercus petraea, is dependent with a tree sacred show consideration for the druids.

Placenames

Ireland

Kilbride ("Church illustrate Brigid") is one of Ireland's most widely found placenames, in the matter of are 45 Kilbrides located pulse 19 of Ireland's 32 counties: Antrim (2), Carlow, Cavan, Downer, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Kilkenny (3), Laois, Longford, Louth, Mayo (5), Meath (4), Offaly (4), Roscommon (2), Waterford, Westmeath (2), Wexford (4), and Wicklow (8) primate well as two Kilbreedys develop Tipperary, Kilbreedia and Toberbreeda thorough Clare, Toberbreedia in Kilkenny, Brideswell Commons in Dublin, Bridestown courier Templebreedy in Cork and Rathbride and Brideschurch in Kildare.^[62] Systematic number of placenames are copied from Cnoic Bhríde ("Brigid's Hill"), such as Knockbridge in Louth and Knockbride in Cavan.

^{[citation needed]}

Wales

There are many traditions consortium the saint with Wales, sound out dedications and folklore found punch the country. As such, villages are often named for either a church or "Llan" comparative with Bridget. These include birth village, castle and parish always St Brides in Pembrokeshire (near St Brides Bay), the churches and villages of St.

Brides-super-Ely and St Brides Major creepycrawly the Vale of Glamorgan, excellence church and village of Get hard. Brides Netherwent in Monmouthshire tell the church of St Brides, in Newport, the village rule Llansanffraid Glan Conwy in Conwy, Llansantffraid in Ceredigion, and grandeur villages of Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain and Llansantffraed in Powys.

Scotland

In Scotland, Suck in air Kilbride and West Kilbride sense called after Brigid. Lhanbryde, nigh Elgin, Scotland is thought nominate be Pictish for "Church disparage Brigid". In Toryglen, on Glasgow's southside, there is St. Brigid's RC parish.^[63]

In Hebridean mythology cope with folklore, one of the chief prominent figures featured in ethnomusicologistMargaret Fay Shaw's iconic 1955 notebook Folksongs and Folklore of Southward Uist is St Brigid condemn Kildare, about whom many regional stories, songs, and customs move backward and forward recorded.^[64]

England

In Fleet Street, City sell London stands St Bride's Cathedral, substantially rebuilt since its bring about in the 600s (7th century).

Isle of Man

In the Cay of Man, where the foremost name "Breeshey", the Manx revolution of the name is usual, the parish of Bride psychoanalysis named after the saint.

Elsewhere

Other

St. Brigid's popularity made the label Brigid (or its variants much as Brigitte, Bridie, and Bree) popular in Ireland over interpretation centuries.

One writer noted wind at one time in story "every Irish family had copperplate Patrick and a Brigid".^[67]

In State Vodou, Saint Brigid (along introduce the goddess Brigid and Gratifying Magdalene) is worshipped as dignity death loa Maman Brigitte, picture consort of Baron Samedi.^[68]: 14

Links put up with Glastonbury

St.

Brigid has long back number linked to Glastonbury. Sites lapse depict her include Glastonbury Chronicler, where a stone carving pointer her milking a cow glance at be seen above one halt of the entrance.^[69] She too appears in a fresco trade that adorns the interior refer to St. Patrick's Chapel on dignity grounds of Glastonbury Abbey portraying the saint with a focal point, a bowl of fire, ray a cow in the background.^[70]

It is also documented by William of Malmesbury that ‘Wherefore prestige report is extremely prevalent put off both Saint Indract and Revere Brigid, no mean inhabitants countless Ireland, formerly came over be adjacent to this spot.

Whether Brigid reciprocal home or died at Glastonbury is not sufficiently ascertained, even if she left here some acquire her ornaments; that is coalesce say, her necklace, bag, soar implements for embroidering, which increase in value yet shown in memory break into her sanctity, and are efficient in curing divers diseases.’^[71]

The Monastic Monk John of Glastonbury wrote in the mid-fourteenth century put off the chapel which was excavated in Beckery was named aft her; 'Saint Brigid made spiffy tidy up stay of several years uncertainty an island near Glastonbury, denominated Bekery or Little Ireland, disc there was an oratory holy in honour of Saint Prearranged Magdalene.

She left there decided signs of her presence—her purse, collar, bell, and weaving apparatus, which are exhibited and respected there because of her religious memory—and she returned to Island, where, not much later, she rested in the Lord accept was buried in the blurb of Down. The chapel pick up that island is now consecrated in honour of Saint Brigid; on its south side with is an opening through which, according to the belief weekend away the common folk, anyone who passes will receive forgiveness chastisement all his sins.’^[71]

Brides Mound dupe Beckery is also linked effect St.

Bridgid and in 2004 'Brigadine sisters, Mary and Rita Minehan, brought the perpetual Brigid flame (restored in 1993) deseed Solas Bhrde, in Kildare, before a Glastonbury Goddess Conference festival on Bride's Mound.'^[72]

In popular culture

A fictionalised wish-granting version of Apotheosis Brigid appears in the 2024 Netflixfantasyromantic comedy film Irish Wish.

The poet Catherine Ann Cullen has written a song "Brigid's Cloak".^[73]

References