In the green hills of Ireland long ago, when the Christian faith was yet young in the land, lived a girl whose simple faith and boundless kindness would change her homeland forever. Born a slave in the house of a chieftain, Brigid grew to be Abbess over thousands of monastics in monasteries covering every facet of the Emerald Isle. Her love and care for all the people earned her a place as one of the two most beloved saints of Irish history, and one of the great female saints of all Christendom.

Despite being the female patron saint of Ireland and one of the most remarkable women in Irish history, St. Brigid has always been an elusive figure. Some scholars have argued that she never existed as a real person but was merely the Christian personification of the cult of a pagan goddess of the same name. This book reviews all the evidence-history, legend and folklore-and concludes that while she has many of the attributes of the goddess Brigit, she was certainly a real person. The book also reviews her cult and veneration in Ireland and overseas, from her lifetime down to the present day, as attested by place-names, holy wells, and folklore, and also by the large numbers of churches (Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland), schools, and GAA clubs dedicated to her. [Subject: Irish Studies, Irish Saints, Folklore, Myth & Legend, Christianity, History]

Relates a legend about the Irish slave girl who became Saint Brigid, beginning with a celestial song, a mysterious gift, and a prophecy on the night of her birth.

*Includes pictures *Includes excerpts of medieval accounts *Includes a bibliography for further reading "It is a virtue and a prize to listen patiently to and put up with insults for the sake of God." - Saint Brigid of Kildare The drumbeat of horses' hooves and clatter of chariot wheels echo through the rolling green hills of what will be known much later as the Emerald Isle. The driver is a lone woman whose long hair and homespun cloak whip through the wind behind her. Headstrong, confident, and intelligent, she blazes a trail that will change her nation forevermore, yet not in her own name or for her own sake, but for that of the God who sent her. This is a woman who will love the poor, feed the hungry, house the homeless, teach the ignorant, and defy the odds doing it all. This is Brigid of Kildare. Saint Brigid of Kildare survives as a model of the religious life, a woman who cared for the earth and its people, who strove for justice, equality, and peace. She is also a model of the disciple's life, one who took Christ's Great Commission to heart, traversing her nation to welcome other men and women into the fold and encourage the spread of Christianity wherever she went, through the gospel message of love for one's neighbor and God's saving grace. Because her legends trace back to pre-Christian times, Brigid is one of the most powerful religious figures in all of Irish history, as her story intertwines many layers of separate traditions, both pagan and Christian. That said, even as her story remains mixed with folk tales and pagan customs, along with St. Patrick, Brigid is credited with the evangelization of the entire Irish nation, turning the pagan island into a bastion of Catholic Christianity. She is often seen as a bridge between pagan and Christian Irish traditions, bringing commonality to a world divided by religious beliefs. She also represents a bridge between social classes, as she was the daughter of a king and a leading religious authority, but administered to the poorest of people and the lowliest of creatures. She welcomed kings and paupers, saints and pagans, and men and women into her fold, seeing the light of Christ in all of God's creations. Saint Brigid of Kildare: The Life, Legends, and Legacy of One of Ireland's Patron Saints chronicles Brigid's story, and how she became one of the most famous saints in history. Along with pictures depicting important people, places, and events, you will learn about Brigid of Kildare like never before.

Rich in historical detail, Heather Terrell’s mesmerizing novel Brigid of Kildare is the story of the revolutionary Saint Brigid and the discovery of the oldest illuminated manuscript in the annals of the Church, a manuscript that contains an astonishing secret history. Fifth-century Ireland: Brigid is Ireland’s first and only female priest and bishop. Followers flock to her Kildare abbey and scriptorium. Hearing accounts of Brigid’s power, the Church deems her a threat and sends Decius, a Roman priest and scribe, on a secret mission to collect proof of Brigid’s heresy. As Decius records the unorthodox practices of Brigid and her abbey, he becomes intrigued by her. When Brigid assigns Decius a holy task—to create the most important and sacred manuscript ever made—he finds himself at odds with his original mission and faces the most difficult decision of his life. Modern day: Alexandra Patterson, an appraiser of medieval relics, has been summoned to Kildare to examine a reliquary box believed to belong to Saint Brigid. Hidden within the sacred box is the most beautiful illuminated manuscript Alex has ever seen. But even more extraordinary is the contents of the manuscript’s vellum pages, which may have dire repercussions for the Catholic Church and could very well rewrite the origins of Christianity.

Like Jesus in the story of the loaves and fishes, Brigid wants to feed the hungry, but she is often hungry herself. When a beggar woman asks for the only food Brigid has—a dish of butter—she knows she can feed the one before her and opens her heart in generosity and love. This story of the first miracle of St. Brigid of Ireland will captivate children ages 6 to 9 to learn about the life of this generous saint.

Along with Mother Teresa and John Paul II, Padre Pio is one of the most beloved and inspirational figures for both Catholics and people of belief throughout the world. Now, in Padre Pio - The Scent of Roses, award-winning journalist Colm Keane, brings accounts of the saint's wonderful influence up to date. Using first-hand accounts of healing and recovery from illness, and through the stories of miracles and cures attributed to Padre Pio, this book provides new insights into the power and reach of the saint, who for fifty years bore the five wounds of Christ. The author retells personal stories of recovery from various cancers (including tumours and leukaemia), heart problems, depression, arthritis and multiple sclerosis and remarkable revivals from brain injuries, infections, accidents, kidney failure, blood clots and problems in childbirth. 'A remarkable book' - Brendan O'Connor, The Saturday Night Show, RTÉ One on We'll Meet Again 'A beautifully crafted book' - Sunday Independent on Going Home Colm Keane's writing on life, death and spirituality has touched readers in profound ways over many years and many of his books have been number one bestsellers. His latest, Padre Pio - The Scent of Roses is a deeply spiritual book on a much loved and revered saint.

St. Thérèse’s suffering as a nun, the bullying she experienced at school, and details of her tragic death from tuberculosis aged 24 are revealed in this groundbreaking book. You will read about her many miracles, including cures from cancer, arthritis and infertility. The Little Flower’s blueprint for a good and fulfilling life – her “little way” – is explained. Everybody is important, she said. Every little deed matters. Her philosophy is as relevant today as it ever was. This powerful and inspiring book gives you an intimate insight to one of Ireland’s favourite saints whose relics created a national sensation during their visit in 2001. Reviews “A great book,” RTE Radio 1 “Fascinating,” LMFM “A beautiful book,” Africa magazine “A compelling read,” The Connaught Telegraph “The Little Flower comes across as a very modern, millennial, feminist type of woman,” Brendan O’Connor, Sunday Independent