Thoughts for the Day

(Saint Brigid's Cross)

O Lord, who may abide in your tent?
Who may dwell on your holy hill?

Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right,
and speak the truth from their heart;
who do not slander with their tongue,
and do no evil to their friends,
nor take up a reproach against their neighbours;
in whose eyes the wicked are despised,
but who honour those who fear the Lord;
who stand by their oath even to their hurt;
who do not lend money at interest,
and do not take a bribe against the innocent.

Those who do these things shall never be moved.

(New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Yesterday we looked at John Bosco the founder of the Silesians, and today we look at another Christian of humble origins who also had a great effect upon their society. Brigid (also known as Bride) was born c451 CE in the, just five miles from Kildare in Ireland. According to tradition her mother was a slave and her father a pagan chieftain. She herself was sold to a druid whom she later converted to Christianity. She was to go on to found a monastery which grew quickly, becoming a double monastery of men and women, and she became its Abbess.

She is believed to have been baptised by Saint Patrick and the stories of her portray a woman of great compassion. Her monastery attracted many people who came to study religion, writing, and art. As the head of a community that became Ireland's first center of learning, Brigid was an important female leader in the ancient world and in the church. She eventually assumed the role of bishop—an unusual position for a woman in fifth-century Ireland. By her prayers and miracles, the latter mostly of healing, she is reputed to have strongly influenced the formation of the Church throughout Ireland.

Brigid is revered as one of Ireland's three patron saints along with Saint Patrick, and Saint Columba. She died about the year 525 CE.

Collect for a Religious

Almighty God,
by whose grace Brigid,
kindled with the fire of Your love,
became a burning and shining light
in the Church:
inflame us with the same spirit
of discipline and love,
that we may ever walk before You
as children of light.
Amen.