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| St.
Bridget of Ireland |
| Healer |
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| Feast
Day: February 1 |
| Brigid
was probably born at Faughart near Dundalk, Louth, Ireland. Her parents
were baptized by St. Patrick, with whom she developed a close
friendship. According to legend, her father was Dubhthach, an Irish
chieftain of Lienster, and her mother, Brocca, was a slave at his court.
Even as a young girl she evinced an interest for a religious life and
took the veil in her youth from St. Macaille at Croghan and probably was
professed by St. Mel of Armagh, who is believed to have conferred
abbatial authority on her. |
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settled with seven of her virgins at the foot of Croghan Hill for a time
and about the year 468, followed Mel to Meath. About the year 470 she
founded a double monastery at Cill-Dara (Kildare) and was Abbess of the
convent, the first in Ireland. The foundation developed into a center of
learning and spirituality, and around it grew up the Cathedral city of
Kildare. She founded a school of art at Kildare and its illuminated
manuscripts became famous, notably the Book of Kildare, which was
praised as one of the finest of all illuminated Irish manuscripts before
its disappearance three centuries ago. |
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| Brigid
was one of the most remarkable women of her times, and despite the
numerous legendary, extravagant, and even fantastic miracles attributed
to her, there is no doubt that her extraordinary spirituality, boundless
charity, and compassion for those in distress were real. She died at
Kildare on February 1. The Mary of the Gael, she is buried at
Downpatrick with St. Columba and St. Patrick, with whom she is the
patron of Ireland. Her name is sometimes Bridget and Bride. |
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