Saint Brigid of Kildare

St. Brigid is the patroness of Ireland. Historical facts are unclear, but it is believed that she was born into slavery. As a girl, she felt a call to become a nun, and St. Mel, bishop of Armagh, received her vows. Before Brigid, consecrated virgins used to live in homes with their families. But the saint, imitating St. Patrick, began to assemble nuns in communities, a historic move that later enriched the church in Ireland. Brigid founded a monastery in 471 for both men and women at Kildare. This was the first convent in Ireland, and Brigid was the abbess. Under her leadership, Kildare became a center of learning and spirituality. Her art school created lovely utensils for worship and beautifully illustrated manuscripts. Again, following Patrick's model, Brigid used Kildare as a base and built convents throughout the island. Brigid's hallmark was unrestrained, generous giving to anyone in need. Many of the saint's earliest miracles have rescued her from punishment for giving something to the poor that was intended for someone else. For example, once, as a child, she gave a piece of bacon to a dog and was glad to find it replaced when she was about to be disciplined. Brigid exhibited this unbounded charity all her life, giving away valuables, clothing, food—anything close by—to anyone who asked. One of the most appealing things told of Brigid is her contemporaries' belief that there was peace in her blessing. Not merely did hostility die out in her presence, but just as by the touch of her hand she healed leprosy, so by her very will for peace, she healed strife and laid antiseptics on the suppurating bitterness that incites it.

St. Brigid, intercede for us to follow your example of generously helping the poor and needy.

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Most High Servant,
Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love 
(Blessed  and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)