Saint Brigid of Kildare: The Flame of Ireland, Part 1 of 2

Saint Brigid of Kildare is a revered figure of Irish spiritual folklore. Otherwise known as Brigid of Ireland, her legendary life played a crucial role in the growth of Christianity in the country. Celebrated as one of three national patron saints, next to Saint Patrick and Saint Columba, today, Saint Brigid is widely regarded as Ireland’s first nun, and is also said to be its first native-born Saint. Her life is a blend of historical fact and enchanting legend, reflecting the deep spiritual and cultural roots she planted in Irish soil.

Saint Brigid was born around 451 AD. Her mother, Brocseach, was a devout Christian, believed to have been baptized by Saint Patrick. Some say a druid, belonging to the elite priestly class in ancient Celtic cultures, had a vision that the pregnant Brocseach’s baby would “shine like a sun among the stars in Heaven” and should be named after the Goddess Brigid. After her birth, while the druid watched the stars for pagan signs, Saint Brigid emitted columns of fire from her head, a clear sign of her direct connection to God.

From an early age, Saint Brigid was renowned for her kind heart, generosity, and compassion for animal-people and the needy. She rejected any “impure” foods since birth, particularly those provided by her father, who was a warrior and hunter. Saint Brigid routinely gave generously to the poor and needy; however, her benevolence became intolerable for her father, Dubhthach, who became increasingly incensed upon seeing his possessions used in charity. So, he began to plot Saint Brigid’s marriage in order to remove her from his household. Saint Brigid was becoming a very beautiful young woman, and so the ambitious Dubhthach tried to marry her to his own Lord, His Majesty Crimthann mac Énnai, the King of Leinster.

The King of Leinster received the young girl. When he witnessed Saint Brigid giving away her father’s jeweled sword to an underprivileged person with leprosy, he was struck by her presence and immediately recognized her extraordinary nature. He asked: “You take your father’s wealth and distribute it. How much more would you take my wealth, seeing that I am nothing to you, and give them away?” Saint Brigid replied: “The Son of the Virgin knows […] that if I had Your might, with all Leinster and all Your wealth, I would give them to the Lord of the Elements.” The King acknowledged her Holiness and spoke to her father: “You and I are not fit to bargain about this maiden. Her merit is higher before God than before men.”