St Brigid's Day 1 February

Monday, 1 February 2021, is the Feast of Saint Brigid, Abbess and Secondary Patron of Ireland. Saint Brigid is renowned for her hospitality, almsgiving and care of the sick.

Saint Brigid was born in 454 and she went on to found a double monastery in Kildare with the assistance of Bishop Conleth. The Saint Brigid's Cross, in legend used by Brigid to explain the Christian faith, remains a popular sign of God's protection.

Do you know how to make a St Brigid's Cross?

Click the video below for a step by step demonstration by Aoife of the Three Patron's Parish, Derry on how to make your very own St Brigid's Cross.

At the end of the demonstration Fr Gerard Mongan, St Brigid's, Carnhill, Derry gives a special blessing for St Brigid's Day.

Blessing of Saint Brigid's Crosses 

Father of all creation and Lord of Light,
you have given us life and entrusted your creation to us to use it and to care for it.
We ask you to bless these crosses made of green rushes in memory of holy Brigid,
who used the cross to recall and to teach your Son's life, death and resurrection.

May these crosses be a sign of our sharing in the Paschal Mystery of your Son and a sign of your protection of our lives, our land and its creatures through Brigid's intercession during the coming year and always. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

The crosses are sprinkled with holy water:

May the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be on these crosses and on the places where they hang and on everyone who looks at them. Amen.