BRIGID OF KILDARE, ABBESS
Brigid (d. ca. 525), also known as Brigit, Bridget, and Bride (of Ireland), is a patron saint of Ireland along with Patrick [March 17] and Columba [ June 9]. What little is known of her is mixed with myth, Irish pagan folklore, miracle stories, and cultic elements that are difficult to disentangle. The legendary exploits, however, are typically Irish. She distributes butter (a sign of prosperity) to the poor and changes her bathwater into beer to satisfy the thirst of some visiting clerics. She established a monastery at Kildare, which later became a double monastery (for men and omen) that contributed signifi cantly to the spread of Chris tian ity throughout the country. Her feast is not on the General Roman Calendar.
