Today, Feb. 1st is the feast day of St. Brigit of Kildare.
Brigit was the most prominent leader of the Celtic Church. Her symbol was perpetual fire, representing wisdom, healing, poetry, metal working and the hearth. The force of her Celtic soul is a rich lodestone of the Celtic feminine which continues to challenge each generation. The stories and legends about her are a blend of Christian beliefs and pagan elements, a mixture of the all encompassing Druidic mother goddess with the dynamic post pagan woman of compassion, generous hospitality and charity to all. She lived the spirit of Jesus who hung out with the poor and outcasts, who challenged authorities in the synagogue, and who dined with the lowly. On one occasion, Brigit gave away apples to a beggar. When challenged by her benefactor, she said: "what is mine is theirs." Even in her early days, she would give away valuable items belonging to her chieften father. Brigit's strong sense of justice was evident during her life. She is known for her advocacy for justice and protection of animals, home and hearth. (Praying with Celtic Holy Women, available at amazon.com and other online retailers.)
Brigit's previous authority as a high priestess may explain why Sant Mel, bishop of Ardagh, is said to have ordained her a bishop. The Irish Life of Brigit describes it this way: "When the hour of consecration had arrived, the veil was raised by angels from the hand of Mac Caille, the minister and was placed on Sant Brigit's head. Bishop Mel who presided at the ceremony said: "Come, O holy Brigit, that a veil may be placed on your head before the other virgins." Then, being filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit, Bishop Mel read the form of ordaining a bishop over Brigit. While she was being consecrated, a brilliant fiery flame ascended from her head. MacCaille, Bishop Mel's assistant, complained that a bishop's rank was bestowed on a woman. Bishop Mel argued. "But I do not have any power in this matter, this dignity has been given by God to Brigit beyond every other woman. Only this virgin in the whole of Ireland will hold the episcopal ordination."
Bishop Brigit co-administered a double monastery of women and men with Bishop Conleth in Kildare, Ireland. On one occasion, when there was not enough beer for her seventeen churches during the Easter season, she changed water into beer to make sure her churches were well-supplied. Talking about abundance and hospitality! Slainte!
Another wonderful story about Brigit that speaks to our contemporary war-plagued world is recounted by Mary Condren, a prominent Irish theologian in an article in the Irish Times.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2011/0131/1224288598865.html
"Brigit was also a “peace weaver”, the name given to distinguished women in Old European times. Peaceweavers sometimes married into their enemy’s tribe, and their daughters carried gifts to weave peace. Such women had great negotiating skills and authority. As with such peaceweavers, St Brigit caused mists to appear between opposing sides in order to prevent bloodshed. With her nuns she accompanied protesting warriors to the battlefield, rendering them unable to fight.In historical times, the Abbesses of Kildare, who succeeded the historical 5th century Brigit, could pardon criminals encountered on their way to execution. They were revered figures of authority who were known as “Those Who Turned Back the Streams of War”.
Today, more than ever, we need the spirit of inclusion, partnership and hospitality of St. Brigit of Kildare in our world. Like her, may we work with our sisters and brothers to turn back the "streams of war" and to achieve peace, justice and equality for all.
St. Brigit, pray for us and bless us on this your feast day!
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
No comments:
Post a Comment