Fast, concise facts and information about Saint Bridget The following provides fast and concise facts and information: - The patron of Ireland and Fallen Women
- Memorial Day / Feast Day: February 1
- Date of Death: Saint Bridget died in A.D. 525
- Cause of Death: Natural Causes
Who or what is Saint Bridget the patron saint of? Saint Bridget is the female patron of Ireland and Fallen Women. Meanings, definition and origins - a patron is considered to be a defender of a specific group of people or of a nation. There is a patron for virtually every cause, profession or special interest. Prayers are considered more likely to be answered by asking a patron for intercession on their behalf. Prayer to Saint Brigid The Story and History of Saint Bridget The story and history of Saint Bridget. The daughter of Dubhthach, a pagan chieftain of Leinster, and Brocca, a Christian Pict who had been baptized by Saint Patrick who inspired her. Bridget grew to be a beautiful daughter and converted to the Christian faith of her mother. She renounced her beauty, and prayed to become ugly, so that she would not attract so many suitors leading to a forced marriage. She insisted on giving all her possessions to the poor and eventually Dubhthach, her father, realized that perhaps her disposition was best suited to the life of a nun. She became the founder of the first community of religious women in Ireland. Death of Saint Bridget There are two categories of saints: martyrs and confessors. A Christian martyr is regarded as one who is put to death for his Christian faith or convictions. Confessors are people who died natural deaths. Date of Death: Saint Bridget died in A.D. 525. Cause of Death: Natural Causes. Why is Saint Bridget the patron of Ireland and Fallen Women? Why is Saint Bridget is the patron of Ireland and Fallen Women? She is a Patron Saint of Ireland because she was the founder of the first community of religious women in Ireland. St. Bridget is also regarded as the patroness of fallen women, not because she was at any time of her life unchaste, but from the fact that the palace belonging to King Henry VIII situated in Bridewell, (Bridewell means beside the well of St. Bride or Bridget) was converted into a House of Correction for refractory females. How Saint Bridget is represented in Christian Art It is helpful to be able to recognise Saint Bridget in paintings, stained glass windows, illuminated manuscripts, architecture and other forms of Christian art. The artistic representations reflect the life or death of saints, or an aspect of life with which the person is most closely associated. Saint Bridget is represented in Christian Art with a lamp in one hand, typical of heavenly light and wisdom and a cross in the other, as the founder of the first community of religious women in Ireland, or, indeed, in the Western World. Her long white veil is such a one as was always worn by early converts. The oak which appears in the background is in allusion to her cell among the grove of oaks at Kildare, literally "the cell or place of the oak."
Feast Day of Saint Bridget The Feast Day of Saint Bridget is February 1. The origin of Feast Days: most saints have specially designated feast days and are associated with a specific day of the year and these are referred to as the saint's feast day. The feast days first arose from the very early Christian custom of the annual commemoration of martyrs on the dates of their deaths at the same time celebrating their birth into heaven. |