for the Feast of St. Brigid Abbess, Secondary Patroness of Ireland Feast February 1. I felt duty bound to my name Mon, Feb 1, 2021, 06:01. She has also been identified with an ancient pagan goddess. President Michael D. Higgins has issued a special message to mark Lá Fhéile Bríde / St. Brigid’s Day. 26. After a long dark winter, St Brigid’s Day celebrates the arrival of longer, warmer days and the early signs of spring. The cross was often hung at the entrance to a home and was said to ward off evil energies. The story of her cross originated when St. Brigid was teaching a dying pagan chieftain about Christianity . MASS . On this feast day of St Brigid, we pray through her intercession that, in the words of St Therese of Lisieux, that there be ‘love at the heart of the Church’. Brigid of Kildare was born around 450 into a Druid family, being the daughter of Dubhthach, court poet to King Loeghaire. Image Credit. 25. She was born in 443 B.C. President Michael D. Higgins issued a special message to mark Lá Fhéile Bríde / St. Brigid’s Day. Bless every heart that beats beneath its roof. While her head was bowed she picked up the rushes off the ground and began braiding them into a cross . February 1st is the feast of Brigid of Kildare, one of the three patron saints of Ireland (St. Patrick and St. Columba are the others). Prayer to St. Saint Brigid You were a woman of peace. Saint Brigid's Well, just outside Kildare Town proper, is one of the lesser-known attractions connected to the Irish saints - even visitors to the nearby Irish National Stud seldom spare a second thought, let alone take the short excursion. February 1st is the Feast Day of St Brigid of Ireland. St Brigid’s Prayer You were a woman of peace. St Brigid, whose feast day it is, was a friend to the poor and sick. Through your resurrection, Lord Jesus, new light came … She is the patroness of dairy farmers, Irish nuns, newborn babies, midwives, and cattle. Amen. In Christian teachings, Brigid was an Irish nun, abbess, and founder of several convents, who is venerated as a saint. 24. You brought hope to the downcast. The customs and traditions of the Feast of St. Brigid, or St. Brigid's Day. In the pagan tradition, this day also celebrates Brigid’s divine femininity. You brought harmony where […] Today is the Feast of St. Brigid, a special day for all Irish Catholics. Response; Lord, be our light and salvation. The General Roman Calendar does not have a saint for February 1st, but in Ireland this is the Feast of St. Brigid, the patroness of Ireland (also referred to as Brigit, Bridget, Brighid, or Bride). Gerry will display a St. Brigid’s Cross. Bless the doors that they may prove Ever open to joy and love. Brocca, Brigid’s mother, was baptized by St. Patrick and raised Brigid as a Christian. Bless these walls so firm and stout, Keeping want and trouble out. A popular way to celebrate St. Brigid’s feast day is by making a St. Brigid cross . ``Where the Bishop is, there let the multitude of believers be; even as where Jesus is, there is the Catholic Church'' Ignatius of Antioch, 1st c. A.D. Pure Beeswax Candles. Symbols in the church are very visual and positive, both for those watching Mass on the webcam and or those visiting the church. The feast day of St Brigid, on 1 February, coincides with a time of the year when we feel that brighter days are on the horizon. St Brigid’s feast day falls on February 1, which was originally a pagan festival called Imbolc, marking the beginning of spring. St. Brigid’s Blessing. Her life was marked by miracles from an early age which impressed the king of Leinster, who granted her her freedom. St Brigid’s feast day is celebrated on February 1, the first day of spring coincides with the pagan festival of Imbolc.. 22. St. Brigid’s Feast is therefore associated with fire. Each has their own magical purpose, rosemary and sage, for example, brought their powers of purification and cleansing, so ritually important at this time of new beginnings. 2. Her feast day, February 1, was traditionally the first day of spring and of the new year in rural Ireland because it marked the start of the agricultural season. Thanks to Brian Fitzpatrick for providing them. You brought light to the darkness. Her feast day is 1 February or Imbolc, the traditional first day of spring in Ireland. Saint Brigit of Kildare – her Feast Day is February 1 * * * * * * Bless this house, o Lord, we pray Make it safe by night and day. Saint Brigid’s crosses are a staple when celebrating the feast day of St. Brigid which happens each year on February 1. Although this feast day is not on the liturgical calendar in the United States, it is of particular local importance. St Brigid of Kildare or Brigid of Ireland (c. 451-525) is one of Ireland’s patron saints along with Saints Patrick and Colm Cille. ENTRANCE ANTIPHON Cf. Rushes were a common floor material in Irish homes . St. Bridget (or Brigid, or Bride) is the female patron saint of Ireland. You can find tons of St. Brigid feast day resources here, but today I want to share St. Brigid’s Cross poem with you, and even offer you a free printable! St. Brigid’s Day, on February 1st, officially marks the start the pagan festival of spring. Saint Brigid is renowned for her hospitality, almsgiving and care of the sick. St Brigid is celebrated every year on February 1st and synonymous with her feast day is the ‘St Brigid’s Cross’, here we share a video recorded in Solas Bhride in 2013 on “How to make a St Brigid’s Cross”. Irish wisdom…St Brigid’s blessing. The following are the Catholic Mass Readings used by the Irish Episcopal Conference and approved by the Holy See. May Brigid bless the house wherein we dwell. February 1st originally marked the first day of spring in Ireland and the old Celtic festival of Imbolc. St. Brigid is one of Ireland’s most loved saints and today we celebrate her feast day. Global Compassion Inc. will host a Valentine Feast from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14 at St. Brigid Church. I invited a Mayo friend and neighbor Terence Flanagan from Coillte Mach to give us a lesson on the art of weaving. The Eve and Feast of St. Brigid . 23. White figure of peace, through the country she went, You, Lord, raised up Brigid to make known your name. 1. In his message, the President recalls the origins of St. Brigid’s Feast Day, highlighting the influence that St. Brigid has had on Irish society, and noting that her examples as a strong female voice in a male dominated world can inspire us also in present times. to the slave of a Druid Chieftain. St. Brigid was born daughter to a chieftain and a slave woman, and brought up by a druid. Saint Brigid was born in 454 and she went on to found a double monastery in Kildare with the assistance of Bishop Conleth. Spring begins much earlier in Ireland than it does in America. Her feast day is February 1, which will be celebrated throughout Ireland by remembering St. Brigid's remarkable story and by following certain Irish traditions. May we grow each day into greater wholeness in mind, body and spirit. We ask her to pray for all Christians at this time of pandemic, that we might be united in charity and loving mercy towards all the people of God. Brigid O’Dea. On St. Brigid’s Feast Day,1 February, we invoke St Brigid, also known as Mary of the Irish or Muire na nGael. Advertisement. Bless the roof and chimney tall, Let thy peace lie over all. St Brigid was a Celtic goddess who was later adopted by the Catholic Church as a saint (founding the first Irish monastery in County Kildare). Crosses made from rushes were given her name, while in parts of the country people carried small dolls called brídeogs from house to house on her feast day as they sought alms. A petition calling on the Irish Government to make February 1 – the Feast Day of St Brigid – a public holiday, is gaining momentum. Was not my soul grieved for the poor? In silence of fields, while she tended her fold, You spoke to her heart words more precious than gold. The eve of her feast day each year, it is tradition to fashion a St Brigid’s Cross of straw or rushes and place it inside the house over the door to give protection against fire, hunger and evil to those within. Feast of St. Brigid 1st February – At 10.00 am Mass, Fr. Today, Saint Brigid's skull can be found in the Church of St. John the Baptist in Lumiar, Portugal. Weaving a St. Brigid’s cross on the eve of St. Brigid’s Day is an old Irish tradition. St. Blaise Keeps the Candlelight Theme Going. Her proud chieftain father’s wild rage she defied, And followed your way, with the gospel for guide. Monday, 1 February 2021, is the Feast of Saint Brigid, Abbess and Secondary Patron of Ireland. Includes recipes, lore, instructions on making a St. Brigid's Cross, and much more. You brought harmony where there was conflict. St Brigid of Ireland, also known as St Brigid of Kildare, was born on 453 AD and died aged 70. Intercessions (taken from Morning Prayer for the Feast of St Brigid) We praise the Lord Jesus Christ who led St. Brigid along the paths of Justice and holiness; and pray that we may follow his way. She is believed to have been an Irish Christian nun, abbess, and founder of several convents. Bless every fireside, every wall and door. Menu items include Midland People's … Job 30:25 Did I not feel for those whose day was hard? St Brigid's Day itself was a day for visiting holy wells devoted to the saint. The tomb in which it is kept bears the inscription, "Here in these three tombs lie the three Irish knights who brought the head of St. Brigid, Virgin, a native of Ireland, whose relic is preserved in this chapel. It marked the beginning of the new farm year. On the day following Candlemas, is the Feast of St. Blaise, most notably recalled with its blessing of the throats with two crossed candles. St. Brigid was believed to be a healer and teacher of ‘herbcraft” so many plants and flowers sacred to her and the sun ( such as sage, heather, chamomile, violets, rosemary) have become part of the Imbolc Feast.