The Virtual Hermitary

Archive for February 1st, 2010

Monday February 1, 2010
1 Corinthians 1:26-31

February 1 is the day to remember St. Brigid, an abbess from Ireland. The history of Brigid is a mix of fact and legend. Some of the Christian history of the Abbess of Kildare is mixed with the legends of a pre-Christian people. The earliest historical accounts of the Christian Brigid were written by St. Broccan Cloen in the late 7th century. Despite the difficulty in separating fact from legend, the life of Brigid provides rich inspiration for living in Christ-likeness. She was known for her generosity, her patronage of students and craftsmen, her care for the poor, and her love of animals. For the beauty of her story and her inspiration to a life of compassion and love, we’ve adopted St. Brigid as our patron saint here at Amy Jo Garner Ministries.

The following is a litany in honor of St. Brigid:

Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us. God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Queen of virgins, Pray for us. Saint Brigid, Pray for us. Mary of the Gael, Pray for us. St. Brigid, Patroness of Ireland, Pray for us. St. Brigid, shining light of virtue and sanctity, Pray for us. St. Brigid, consecrated spouse of Jesus Christ, Pray for us. St. Brigid, foundress of Kildare, Pray for us. St. Brigid, cornerstone of the monastic institute in the Isle of Saints, Pray for us. St. Brigid, great model of Irish virgins, Pray for us. St. Brigid, mother of religious, Pray for us. St. Brigid, pattern of religious perfection, Pray for us. St. Brigid, intercessor for the Irish Church, Pray for us. St. Brigid, mediatrix for the Irish race, Pray for us. St. Brigid, protectress of the holy faith planted by Saint Padrig, Pray for us. St. Brigid, enjoying with him the clear vision of God, Pray for us. St. Brigid, whose one desire was to satisfy the poor, drive out hardship, and spare every miserable man, Pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: Spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: Graciously hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: Have mercy on us, O Lord.

Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

Pray for us, O glorious Saint Brigid: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. O God, Who dost rejoice with the memory of the blessed Saint Brigid, Thy virgin and abbess, mercifully grant that we may be assisted by her merits, by whose chastity we are illumined. Through Jesus Christ Thy Son Our Lord. R. Amen.
Prayer Source: Kyrie Eleison — Two Hundred Litanies by Benjamin Francis Musser O.F.M., The Magnificat Press, 1944

The following links provide more information about Brigid:
Blog post at the National Catholic Reporter
History and Interactive Icon at the Brigidine Secondary School Council
History at the Catholic Encyclopedia