St Bride February 1st
St Bride (Brigit, Brighde), was born in the year 450 near Dundalk. Her family was enslaved to a Druid-bard. She cared for the sheep and cows in her youth. Bishop Mel (disciple of St Patrick) received her as a nun along with seven others. She founded a monastic complex of schools, churches, hospitals and workshops at Kildare in 490, and was head of the male and female communities. D. 525
She is associated with Celtic goddess Brigit, a model of motherhood to Gaelic women, often imagined as nursing the Christ-child. Her feast is often linked to Candlemass.
The story is told of when she was sailing to Barra and became becalmed at sea the oystercatchers of Traigh Mhor came to her help, beating their wings to fill her sails and deliver her safely to her destination. In thanks, St Bride announced that, whilst all other birds would toil to build their nests, the oystercatchers would wait till they saw the black mark left by the highest tide of the year, then lay their eggs above it to hatch in safety.
It is said that, if the cows are found lying down on her feast day, it will be a bad Spring. She is said to be the patron saint of vets.
John Duncan, a 20th century artist much-associated with our diocese, painted this scene of St bride being carried by angels.
