The Feast of St Brigid

Wednesday 1st of February is the feast of St Brigid who is the second most famous patron saint of Ireland. It is a local Clare tradition to tie something white on the back door of your home on the eve of her feast day. St Brigid will then bless all these homes. Brigid was a nurse. One day she was helping an old pagan chieftain. She picked rushes from the chieftain’s field and began to weave them into a cross. With this cross she explained the story of Jesus and His crucifixion to the chieftain. He learnt about the love and forgiveness of God. The chieftain repented of his old lifestyle and became a Christian. Since this time Brigid’s cross has become a symbol of her love of God and people. It is believed that any dwelling in which there is a St Brigid’s cross will never burn down. We will make crosses.