| Saint Bridget of Ireland —
Patron Saint of Babies, Blacksmiths,
Boatmen, Dairy Workers, Ireland,
Mariners, Midwives, Poultry Farmers "St.
Bridget (Brigid) was the daughter of Dubtach, pagan Scottish king of Leinster,
and Brocca, a Christian Pictish slave who had been baptized by Saint Patrick.
Just before Brigid's birth, her mother was sold to a Druid landowner. She
grew up marked by her high spirits and tender heart, and as a child, she heard
Saint Patrick preach, which she never forgot. She could not bear to see anyone
hungry or cold, and to help them, often gave away things that were Dubtach's.
When Dubtach protested, she replied that "Christ dwelt in every creature".
Dubtach tried to sell her to the King of Leinster, and while they bargained, she
gave a treasured sword of her father's to a leper. Dubtach was about to strike
her when Brigid explained she had given the sword to God through the leper, because
of its great value. The King, a Christian, forbade Dubtach to strike her, saying
"Her merit before God is greater than ours". Dubtach solved this domestic
problem by giving Brigid her freedom. St. Brigid returned
to her father, who arranged a marriage for her with a young bard. Briged refused,
and to keep her virginity, went to Bishop Mel, a pupil of Saint Patrick's, and
took her first vows. Legend says that she prayed that her beauty be taken from
her so no one would seek her hand in marriage; her prayer was granted, and she
regained her beauty only after making her vows. Her
first convent started with seven nuns. At the invitation of bishops, she started
convents all over Ireland. St. Bridget made people think of the Blessed Mother
because she was so pure and sweet, so lovely and gentle. They called her the "Mary
of the Irish". St. Bridget's Cross is based on
a cross she wove out of rushes while praying for her father's conversion on his
deathbed. Words of St. Bridget of Ireland
"I would like the angels of Heaven to be among us. I would like an abundance
of peace. I would like full vessels of charity. I would like rich treasures of
mercy. I would like cheerfulness to preside over all. I would like Jesus to be
present. I would like the three Marys of illustrious renown to be with us. I would
like the friends of Heaven to be gathered around us from all parts. I would like
myself to be a rent payer to the Lord; that I should suffer distress, that he
would bestow a good blessing upon me." |
