The Feast of St. Brigid- the Sweet Little Milkmaid of Ireland

Brigid seems like a natural choice when it comes to saintly celebrations in my own domestic church! Mr. Pete is half Irish, (his mother was Virginia McGuirk!) so all of my children have an Irish heritage. St. Brigid is also closely associated with cows and all things dairy, so naturally, that catches my interest! And the sweet saint is noted for her generosity of time, talent, treasure, and perseverance in adversity. She is a lady to be emulated.

Who is St. Brigid?

Brigid was born in Ireland around 451. Her mother, Brocco, was a Christian slave, said to have been baptized by St. Patrick himself. Her father was a chieftain named Dubthach. When Dubthach’s wife discovered Brocco’s pregnancy, she sold her to a Druid household. Thus Brigid was born into slavery by her own father.

Brigid was a fussy baby.

Maybe she was just colicky.

Maybe the stress of her household situation gave her a tummy ache.

Maybe the situation made her own mother unable to nurse her.

Or maybe mother and child were separated.

Whatever it was, Brigid was unable to hold down any nourishment at all until a lovely white cow with red ears appeared and her milk was easily digestible for the little girl.

The Holiness of St. Brigid

Brigid is known for her kindness and generosity. She shared whatever she could with others. Once she gave away all of her mother’s butter, but it was all miraculously restored to her before she got into any trouble!

Eventually, she ended up back in her father’s household when she was around 10 years old. She worked as a milkmaid and servant, but her father found her generosity to be very expensive! Once she came back to the house with two empty milk pails. She had given all of the milk away on her way from the barn to the house!

Out of exasperation and a lack of fatherly love, he took the girl to the king to sell. He thought perhaps the king would be able to withstand her generosity better than he could. But while he was in the palace making the sale, Brigid was out in the carriage giving away her father’s jeweled sword to the needy. When Dubthach and the king discovered what had happened the king said, “Her merit before God is greater than ours,” and he encouraged the man to free his daughter.

Brigid returned to her mother and the Druids. There she took over the dairy, which flourished despite her generosity with the milk, butter, and cheese.

As an adult, Brigid took a vow of chastity and holy orders. At her final vows, St. Patrick accidentally used the form reserved for ordaining priests! When he caught the accident St. Patrick said, “She is destined for great things.

She lived a religious life, founded monasteries and even a school of art. She died of natural causes at age 72.

St. Brigid’s cross is a popular item to make today!

See more traditions on St. Brigid’s Day here.

How to make a St. Brigid’s Cross

O Glorious St. Brigid, Mother of the Churches of Erin, patroness of our missionary race, wherever their lot may be cast, be thou our guide in the paths of virtue, protect us amid temptation, shield us from danger. Preserve to us the heritage of chastity and temperance; keep ever brightly burning on the altar of our hearts the sacred Fire of Faith, Charity, and Hope, that thus we may emulate the ancient piety of Ireland’s children, and the Church of Erin may shine with peerless glory as of old. Thou wert styled by our fathers “The Mary of Erin,” secure for us by thy prayers the all-powerful protection of the Blessed Virgin, that we may be numbered here among her most fervent clients, and may hereafter merit a place together with Thee and the countless Saints of Ireland, in the ranks of her triumphant children in Paradise. Amen.