Brigid's parents were baptized by St. Patrick, with whom she was close. She has been called The Prophetess of Christ, The Queen of the South, The Mary of the Gael. Brigid has been hailed a second only to the Blessed mother as a woman intercessor before God. Cogitosus and Ultan some one hundred years after her death stated that her father was Dubhthach, an Irish chieftain of Lienster, and her mother was Brocessa. As a young girl she demonstrated a desire for the religious life and became a nun in her youth She took her vows before St. Machaille at Croghan and St. Mel of Armagh, who is believed to have conferred abbatial authority on her. She 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 Abess of the convent, the first in Ireland. Kildare was on of the great learning centers in ireland. The Monastery was a double monastery with one cloister for women and one for men. Brigid was one of the most remarkable holy women of her times with numerous miracles attributed to her. Her great charity to the poor is well known. She died at Kildare on February 1.
Msgr. Barr has a post on his blog where he comments on the image to the right:
"She is pictured with her St. Brigid's Cross and oftentimes is pictured with a flame--an eternal flame burnt at her monastery undimmed for over 1000 years. Oftentimes she carries a crozier because of her role as abbess. She is a protector of the land and the ordinary folk."
The St. Brigid Prayer for the Heavenly Feast
I wish I had a great lake of ale for the King of kings,
and the family of heaven to drink it through time eternal.
I wish I had the meats of belief and genuine piety,
the flails of penance, and the men of heaven in my house.
I would like keeves of peace to be at their disposal,
vessels of charity for distribution,
caves of mercy for their company,
and cheerfulness to be in their drinking.
I would want Jesus also to be in their midst,
together with the three Mary’s of illustrious renown,
and the people of heaven from all parts.
I would like to be a tenant to the Lord,
so if I should suffer distress,
he would confer on me a blessing. Amen.
RESOURCES:
Catholic Lane: http://catholiclane.com/st-bridgid-abbess-and-patroness-of-ireland/
Under the Oak: http://brigid-undertheoak.blogspot.com/search/label/St%20Brigid