St. Brigid

On this day in the church calendar, we remember the Celtic Saint Brigid, and in Ireland this day is known as Imbolc, which was a pagan festival marking the beginning of Spring and the lambing season. It is midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox and is one of four Gaelic seasonal festivals.

A year or so ago I was one of a small group of pilgrims who traveled to Kildare, the town in Ireland where Brigid was supposed to have lived and the site of the cathedral named after her. The town is full of memorabilia about Brigid, including a site where her well was located and trees full of ribbons, cloth and rags. On St. Brigid's Day, tradition says to hang such cloths in the trees so that after sunset when evening comes, St. Brigid will bless them.

The Brigidine cross, seen in these pictures, signals the presence of St. Brigid and her blessing on your house and your home. In the second picture below, you can see the cloths hanging in the trees. And in the third picture below, you see the statue of Brigid with a torch, the flame of which is thought still to be burning at the Solas Brihde, home to the Sisters of St. Brigid on the outskirts of Kildare.

And finally, here is a picture of the pilgrims in St. Brigid's Cathedral with the curate of the cathedral who welcomed us in not knowing we were coming!) from a raging rain with great hospitality and proceeded to lead us in Morning Prayer... not surprising, because Brigid was known for her great hospitality.

Blessings to you and your home on this day when we remember St. Brigid. Don't forget to hang a rag or a cloth or a ribbon outside and watch for a blessing.