Most of us, it would have to be said, are very grateful for an extra public holiday in the year, no matter who or what precipitates it. However, this new public holiday, in honour of St Brigid of Kildare, is a holy day as well as a holiday.
Lest we forget, its original purpose remains as a reward for those who worked their way through trauma and danger on our behalf throughout the pandemic – demonstrating a robustness and courage for which we should be eternally grateful.
Many have been campaigning for decades that we should be honouring the legacy of St Brigid, often referred to as the first female Irish bishop (way before my time). Brigid is celebrated all over the world with many churches retaining her as their patron saint, but it is in Kildare town that she is most revered.
Indeed, 2023/4 will mark the 1,500th anniversary of Brigid. There is much excitement about the town and many events are being planned which will be launched in good time. The Church of Ireland cathedral, St Brigid’s, is eager to be the linchpin for the town’s celebrations, and particularly for the shared thanksgiving service on Thursday, February 1st, 2024.
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There are things that we do know – and principally that Brigid was a woman in church leadership in a world where that would have been a shock
Brigid is respected by all Christian denominations, and by many people who would not espouse Christian faith but admire much of that for which Brigid stood.
As with all the ancient saints, there is a fair portion of legend and myth, much of which we hold to lightly! So, who was she and why do we admire her? There are things that we do know – and principally that Brigid was a woman in church leadership in a world where that would have been a shock.
[ A thoroughly modern 1,500-year-old saintOpens in new window ]
Along with St Patrick and St Columba/Colmcille, Brigid is one of the triad of saints who spread Christianity throughout Ireland in the fifth and sixth centuries. Thus, she is revered and respected principally by women, and in particular by women in the spiritual life. She led a life dedicated to God and, as told by the documents available to us, dedicated also to the poor. She is rumoured to have given women an alternative to domestic life, securing various aspects of women’s rights.
In Kildare town, an eternal flame burns in recognition that St Brendan the Navigator referred to her as “she who had the flaming heart”. Many will be familiar with the St Brigid’s cross, a unique cross often made from rushes – these are still made and handed out on St Brigid’s day to worshippers and visitors at the cathedral.
Icon for women
Brigid has made an impact on our ecclesiastical history, but also serves as an icon for women paving the way for other women. Brigid made what seemed impossible and utterly ludicrous, achievable and real. She is an Irish saint who brings joy to the heart of women, because we see ourselves in her. We can only imagine the resilience and perseverance she must have needed to survive as a female leader pointing to Christ in a pagan Ireland.
Although there is indisputably still a way to go, there are women leading in every aspect of our society. I feel immensely privileged to be a woman in leadership in the church in the footsteps of Brigid
Whether or not you give thanks for Brigid, I imagine that each of you will give thanks for an extra public holiday! Perhaps, for a moment or two on the day, you could pause briefly and be grateful for a woman who, against the odds, held her own, and has left a powerful legacy on this land.
Or if Brigid is not your cup of tea, take a quiet moment to be grateful for every single person who resolutely went to work during the pandemic to care for others. We should not forget those who moved out of their homes and away from their families to keep others safe; those who held hands and held iPads for family members to say goodbye; those who prepared bodies and funerals for those who died. And the ultimate sacrifice, as Christians would say in the model of Jesus Christ – we remember those who lost their lives in the service of others. The new public holiday is a holiday and a holy day indeed.
There are other female trailblazers who are more contemporary: Veronica Guerin, Mary Robinson, Mary McAleese, Katie Taylor, the indomitable Vicky Phelan, and countless others. Although there is indisputably still a way to go, there are women leading in every aspect of our society.
I feel immensely privileged to be a woman in leadership in the church in the footsteps of Brigid. She made her mark by sharing of the joy of Christian faith, and we still celebrate her today, and how much more with a public holiday in her honour?
Bishop Pat Storey is Church of Ireland Bishop of Meath and Kildare.