Next Thursday we will celebrate the feast of St Brigid (February 1st) and then we will move into the Bank Holiday weekend to celebrate this special saint. Brigid has inspired women and men down through the ages. She cared for the poor, healed the sick and managed monastic settlements.

The life of Saint Brigid has been inspirational and at last she is getting the recognition she so richly deserves. She was way ahead of her time with her outlook on life, her ideas and her vision for an inclusive church. Her energy and presence is very much alive today and awareness about her story and life continues to grow.

St Brigid is most famous for her cross which she wove together using rushes. The many strands that make up a St Brigid’s cross represent the different strands of our own lives. They pick up on our joys and blessings but also on our struggles, problems and difficulties. For Brigid the cross was not an end in itself but pointed to the centre where God is present. For Brigid this loving God helps us to make sense of everything that’s going on in our lives. Significantly St Brigid’s day is a day for renewed hope and is most certainly a day to celebrate.

The following is ‘A prayer to Saint Brigid’

Brigid you were a special person and an inspiration to so many. You stood up for those who needed a voice.
You brought light and hope to so many. You were a woman of love and you were close to nature and the heartbeat of God.

Your cross has become so symbolic. It is a sign of hope, a sign of strength and a sign that everything in our world and universe is connected.

The centre of your cross is symbolic of the presence of God. May we recognise our centre.  May we feel the blessings of light, hope, peace, courage and strength.
May we grow each day into the person God has created us to be, both in mind, body and spirit. Amen

The Thought For The Week is updated each Monday