Feast of St Brigid of Kildare

February 1 is the feast of St. Brigid of Kildare (a powerful 6th century abbess), about whom I have written in a previous post — did you know that a 9th century hagiography (the Bethu Brigte, originally written in Old Irish) includes an account of the miraculous consecration of Brigid as a bishop?

The bishop being intoxicated with the grace of God there did not recognise what he was reciting from his book, for he consecrated Brigit with the orders of a bishop. ‘This virgin alone in Ireland’, said Mel, ‘will hold the episcopal ordination.’ While she was being consecrated a fiery column ascended from her head.

For more, I direct you to my previous post — but I’ll add here an eschatological poem attributed to St Brigid:

I should like a great lake of beer for the King of Kings.
I should like the angels of Heaven to be drinking it through time eternal.
I should like excellent meats of belief and pure piety.
I should like the men of Heaven at my house.
I should like barrels of peace at their disposal.
I should like for them cellars of mercy.
I should like cheerfulness to be their drinking.
I should like Jesus to be there among them.
I should like the three Marys of illustrious renown to be with us.
I should like the people of Heaven, the poor, to be gathered around from all parts.

Image by Michael O’Neill McGrath.