Gathering around her a group of women, Brigid, in 470, founded a nunnery at Kildare, a place whose name meant "Church of the Oak." Here had flourished the cult of a pagan goddess, from whom it was said to have derived the sacred fire, which she and her successors maintained. To secure the sacraments, Brigid persuaded the anchorite Conlaed to receive Episcopal ordination and to bring his community of monks to Kildare, thus establishing the only known Irish double monastery of men and women. Brigid actively particpated in policy-making decisions in which may be reflected the fact that she exercised the jurisdictional authority that was customarily wielded by medieval abbesses. Many stories are told of Brigid's concern for the poor and needy. When a leper woman asked for milk she was healed also of her infirmity. Two blind men were also given their sight. Best known is the tale that tells of Brigid's taming of a wolf at the request of a local chieftain whose pet dog had been killed accidentally by a peasant. The Gaelic name given to the oyster-cathing bird, galle-brigade, attest to her affinity for birds. Her feast day itself, February 1st, was long held sacred as Imbolg, the Celtic festival of Spring. Brigid died about 523 at Kildare, ouside whose small cathedral the foundations of her fire-house are still shown to tourists. Her remains are said to have been reinterred at the time of the Danish invasions of the ninth century with those of Patrick at Downpatrick. Brigid, also known as Bride, was very popular both in Scotland and England, where many churhes have been dedicated to her. The best known of them is that church which was designed by Christopher Wren on Fllet Street in London. In Wales, Brigid achieved fame under her Gaelic name Ffraid. Back to St. Patrick's Episcopal Church Back to Notable Christians   |
