St. Brigid, pray for us!

Brigid of Ireland; c. 451 – 525) is the Secondary Patron Saint of Ireland, and one of its three national saints along with Patrick and Columba. According to medieval Irish hagiographies, she was an abbess who founded several convents of nuns, most notably that of Kildare, which was one of the most important in Ireland.

There are few historical facts about her, and early hagiographies are mainly anecdotes and miracle tales, some of which are rooted in pagan folklore.  The saint shares her name with a Celtic goddess.  She is patroness of many things, including poetry, learning, healing, protection, blacksmithing, livestock and dairy production. Brigid’s feast day is 1 February.