Your February 2010 Light from the Monastery

February 1st – Saint Bridget

Bridget has three other spellings of her name, Brigid, Brigit, and Bride. Patrick, Colmcille and Bridget are known as the three "Patrons of Ireland". She herself is called "Mary of the Gael". Her seventh century biographers state that her father was Dubthach, a powerful pagan nobleman of Leinster.

She was born at Faughart near Dundalk. Having reached marriageable age her father had "a man of chaste life, a poet" in mind for her. Instead Bridget with seven other young women, set up a monastery in what is now Kildare. This was to become a double community, with the monks under their bishop/abbot Conleth, but with Bridget as the overall leader.

The window shows Bridget as founder, holding her Church (Cill) in her hand. Growing beside her is the famed oak (dara) with its acorns, from which we have the name Cilldara, Kildare. Fable tells us that the king assented to her request for ground for her monastery, just as far as her mantle would cover.

When the mantle was spread it covered the entire Curragh! In the window we see beside her foot the perpetual fire – of our faith, lit by Saint Patrick on the hill of Slane, and still burning away in each of our hearts. The sanctuary lamp in our Churches keeps it alive today, perpetually glowing to the honour of God.

Devotion to Saint Bridget spread widely in Scotland, but also right across Europe, where Churches and shrines were dedicated in her honour, and her name was included in litanies. In the diocese of Cologne alone four parish Churches and seven chapels are dedicated to her.

Patroness of poetry and learning, of shepherds and of travellers, she was a much travelled woman in the cause of Christ, and a woman of unbounded generosity. She is most frequently remembered here in Ireland in the simple reed Saint Bridget crosses that adorn many a home.

When I was ordained priest in 1953 my parents, God rest them, gave the Monastery a sanctuary lamp. It is still in place, burning away quietly, reminding us of the presence of the Lord Jesus in the tabernacle. He is present too in the tabernacle of our hearts. – Laurence Walsh