St Brigid's Day (3 February)

[Ross Clark]

BRIGID (Brigit, Bridget, Bride) OF IRELAND* (d.c.525), abbess of Kildare.
[*NTBCW Bridget (Birgitta) of Sweden (1303-1373)]
...
Historical facts about her are extremely rare; some scholars have even
doubted her existence altogether; her Lives are mainly anecdotes and
miracle stories, some of which are deeply rooted in Irish pagan folklore.
...
parents of humble origin, baptized by Patrick (c.390-461[?])
...
Her miracle stories portray her almost as a personification of compassion.
Some emphasize the theme of multiplication of food, either of butterto
the poor; or of changing her bath-water into beer to satisfy the thirst
of unexpected clerical visitors. Even her cows gave milk three times the
same day to enable some bishops to have enough to drink.
...
But if there is much uncertainty about her life, there is none about the
extension of her cult, especially in Ireland and in churches of Irish
origin on the Continent, where it was second only to that of Patrick.
...
Brigid is patron of poets, blacksmiths and healers. Her most usual
iconographical attribute is a cow lying at her feet, which recalls her
phase as a nun-cowgirl.

- D.H.Farmer, The Oxford Dictionary of Saints (2nd ed, 1987).

small cow here

https://brigidine.org.au/about-us/our-patroness/the-icon-of-saint-brigid/

bigger cow here (scroll way down)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigid_of_Kildare

...neither cow actually "lying at her feet"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Brigid%27s_Day

aka "Imbolc"

[HenHanna]

Post by Ross Clark
BRIGID (Brigit, Bridget, Bride) OF IRELAND* (d.c.525), abbess of Kildare.
[*NTBCW Bridget (Birgitta) of Sweden (1303-1373)]
....
Historical facts about her are extremely rare; some scholars have even
doubted her existence altogether; her Lives are mainly anecdotes and
miracle stories, some of which are deeply rooted in Irish pagan folklore.
....
parents of humble origin, baptized by Patrick (c.390-461[?])
....
Her miracle stories portray her almost as a personification of
compassion.
Some emphasize the theme of multiplication of food, either of butterto
the poor; or of changing her bath-water into beer to satisfy the thirst
of unexpected clerical visitors. Even her cows gave milk three times the
same day to enable some bishops to have enough to drink.
....
But if there is much uncertainty about her life, there is none about the
extension of her cult, especially in Ireland and in churches of Irish
origin on the Continent, where it was second only to that of Patrick.
....
Brigid is patron of poets, blacksmiths and healers. Her most usual
iconographical attribute is a cow lying at her feet, which recalls her
phase as a nun-cowgirl.
- D.H.Farmer, The Oxford Dictionary of Saints (2nd ed, 1987).
small cow here
https://brigidine.org.au/about-us/our-patroness/the-icon-of-saint-brigid/
bigger cow here (scroll way down)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigid_of_Kildare
....neither cow actually "lying at her feet"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Brigid%27s_Day
aka "Imbolc"

__________________


St. Brigid's Day, celebrated on February 1st, marks the beginning of
spring in Ireland and honors St. Brigid, one of Ireland's patron saints.
Here are some common traditions and activities associated with the day:

1. **Brigid's Cross**: People make Brigid's crosses from rushes, which
are traditionally hung in homes for protection.

2. **Feasts and Gatherings**: Families often gather to share meals, and
special foods may be prepared, including traditional Irish dishes.

3. **Celebrating Women**: The day is also a time to celebrate women and
their contributions, reflecting St. Brigid's role as a strong female
figure in Irish history.

4. **Candle Lighting**: Lighting candles in St. Brigid's honor is a
common practice, symbolizing light and hope.

5. **Religious Services**: Many attend church services to honor St.
Brigid and participate in prayers and blessings.

6. **Spring Celebrations**: As the day marks the beginning of spring,
people may engage in outdoor activities to welcome the season.

[Steve Hayes]

Post by HenHanna
St. Brigid's Day, celebrated on February 1st, marks the beginning of
spring in Ireland and honors St. Brigid, one of Ireland's patron saints.

There seems to be a discrepancy in the dates between the subject line
and the body.

Is there a newsgroup for discussing chronology, which seems to cause a
lot of confusion?

[Aidan Kehoe]

Post by Steve Hayes

Post by HenHanna
St. Brigid's Day, celebrated on February 1st, marks the beginning of
spring in Ireland and honors St. Brigid, one of Ireland's patron saints.

There seems to be a discrepancy in the dates between the subject line
and the body.
Is there a newsgroup for discussing chronology, which seems to cause a
lot of confusion?

No comment on that, but we had a bank holiday here yesterday, 2025-03-03 to
celebrate St Brigid’s day, since the actual day fell on a Saturday.

[Ross Clark]

Post by Aidan Kehoe

Post by Steve Hayes

Post by HenHanna
St. Brigid's Day, celebrated on February 1st, marks the beginning of
spring in Ireland and honors St. Brigid, one of Ireland's patron saints.

There seems to be a discrepancy in the dates between the subject line
and the body.
Is there a newsgroup for discussing chronology, which seems to cause a
lot of confusion?

No comment on that, but we had a bank holiday here yesterday, 2025-03-03 to
celebrate St Brigid’s day, since the actual day fell on a Saturday.

Yes, thanks. I wrote a comment in reply to Steve's "chronology" question
-- which comment seems to have vanished into Interspace.
The point was simply that many saints' days, as well as famous people's
birthdays, are similarly treated by modern states. This may consist of
simply adding a legal holiday close to the actual date of commemoration.
I gave the example of Japan:
23 February Emperor's Birthday
24 February Emperor's Birthday Holiday
But the real days remain. I would guess that in Ireland there were
people out performing the customs of St Brigid's day on the Saturday,
who didn't mind also having a day off work on Monday.