Very little is known about Brigid. About the earliest biography is the Vita Sanctae Brigitae, which was written in about 650 by Cogitosus, a monk of Kildare. It is written in good Latin, probably drawing on older documents. The stories and legends told about her, however, reflect the values of today’s gospel. She was renowned for her generosity to the poor. On one occasion she is said to have given away her mother’s entire stock of butter, which later was miraculously replenished. She was also said to have given away her father’s belongings.
Although she was reputed to be very beautiful she rejected marriage for life as a religious. It is said that she founded a monastery at Kildare, ”Church of the Oak”. It was a double monastery of monks and nuns. Brigid would have had overall authority. In this she resembles the great later Abbesses Hilda of Whitby and Hildegard of Bingen, who also presided over double monasteries and about whom much more is known.
Another legend tells of the origin of the St Brigid Cross. A chieftain lay dying and Brigid hastily wove a cross made of rushes and told him about Christ’s crucifixion. The chieftain was converted to Christianity.
Her feast day traditionally marks the first day of Spring. We pray through her intercession for a growth of new hope in a troubled world.