Notices

The month of February begins with the feast of St. Brigid, a secondary patron of Ireland, and our best known female saint.  Brigid was born c. 454. As a young woman she consecrated her life to God. She established her monastic foundation in the town of Kildare with the assistance of Bishop Conleth. Brigid is renowned for her hospitality, almsgiving and care of the sick. Brigid died in 524.

The St. Brigid’s Cross is fashioned from reeds and derives from a story of Brigid making such a cross from reeds taken from the floor to illustrate the Christian faith she was trying to impart at the time. Erecting a St. Brigid’s cross in one’s home has a long tradition in Ireland and it is said to bring blessings to any home in which it is displayed.