ABOUT

Our dearly loved St. Bride, our Patroness, (c. 451-525) is known as “Mary of the Gael.” Bride was given the same name as a goddess of her father’s pagan religion, but became inclined to Christianity at an early age. (The name “Bride” is a variation of the name Brigid, or Bhride in the Irish tongue.) Her mother was a Christian slave of foreign heritage (who was baptized by St. Patrick). Despite her father’s opposition Bride became known for her Christian piety and generosity of heart to the poor who came to her father’s door. She finally got her wish when her father sent her to a convent, where she dedicated her life fully to Christ, receiving the veil from St. Mael of Ardagh.

In time, though she founded other convents, it was the one in Kildare (or Cill-Dara, “the church of the oak,” c. 470) that became her major contribution. This was a “double monastery” for nuns and monks. As abbess she became known for her holiness, wisdom, and common-sense such that, even in her lifetime she was regarded as a saint. The Abbey of Kildare became one of the most prestigious monasteries in Ireland and even throughout Christian Europe. After her death around 525 St. Bride was eventually interred at Downpatrick with Ireland’s two other great saints – Patrick and Columba.

Where Patrick is often associated with the shamrock, St. Bride is with a cross made of rushes, possibly those she found on the ground beside a dying man she led to Christ.

With the example of our Patroness St Bride set before us we pray that, like her, we too may love and live fully for Christ, be generous in heart, holy, wise, and prudent in all things. St. Bride, pray for us.

Collect Prayer for the Feast of St. Bride: “O GOD, whose dwelling-place is in the pure of heart: Grant that we who venerate the memory of Saint Bride, thy faithful spouse, may have grace to follow the example of her unspotted life; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen”