Celtic and Old English Saints 1 February =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= * St. Brigid of Kildare (see #1 and #3) * St. Cinnia of Ulster * St. Derlugdach of Kildare * St. Crewenna * St. Jarlath of Armagh * St. Kinnia =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Here are some online resources relating to the Life of St Brigid. (this material collated by Brigid Ainley) Ancient Lives Vita I ABSTRACT: Evidence is presented here for the orthographic, grammatical, and syntactical correctness and the computistic and architectonic competence of composition of Vita I sanctae Brigitae, its priority to and influence on the Vita II by Cogitosus of Kildare, and its authorship by Aileranus Sapiens, lector of Clonard, who died in 665. An article by David Howlett from the online journal Chronicon: http://www.ucc.ie/chronicon/howfra.htm Vita II (Cogitosus) A modern English translation of the most famous of the ancient lives can be found here: http://isites.harvard.edu/fs/docs/icb.topic259231.files/Cogitosus.pdf Bethu Brigte: This is the life written in Irish: http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T201002/text001.html or http://monasticmatrix.org/cartularium/article.php?textId=18 Metrical Life of St Brigid by St Donatus of Fiesole Prof Maire Herbert gives some Latin extracts from the life in verse by St Donatus and sets it in its historical context in her paper on The Legacy of the Irish Peregrini in Tuscany: http://www.florin.ms/aleph3.html The Prologue to the Life by St Donatus was also translated by Margaret Stokes in her book 'Six Months in the Appenines' and can be found on pages 237-8. http://www.archive.org/details/sixmonthsinapenn00stokrich Lawrence of Durham's Vita S. Brigidae An analysis and comparison with other Vitae Brigidae. Lawrence of Durham was a 12th century English monk. His life of St Brigid is one of the lesser-known hagiographies. http://igitur-archive.library.uu.nl/student-theses/2006-0324-082222/MAThesis_def.doc On the Life of St Brigid (Leabhar Breac) Middle-Irish homily translated by Whitley Stokes: http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T201010/text001.html On the Life of St Brigid (Book of Lismore) The Middle-Irish homily with some additional text http://www.archive.org/details/livesofsaintsfro00stokuoft Modern Biographies The nineteenth and early twentieth centuries produced a number of studies of St Brigid which reflect the contemporary cultural revival and the 'devotional revolution' within Irish Catholicism. Some of these can be found online: 1. The Life of St Bridget: "The Mary of Erin" The special patroness of the Dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin by an Irish priest. Published in 1861, this pious work has a Novena to St Bridget as an appendix. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=AJZjAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover 2. Rev John O'Hanlon, Life of St. Brigid, virgin: first abbess of Kildare, special patroness of Kildare Diocese, and general patroness of Ireland (Dublin, 1877), 218-220 http://www.archive.org/details/lifeofstbrigidvi00ohanuoft The scans are rather faded and difficult to read in parts so it may be easier to consult volume 2 of the same author's Lives of the Irish saints where the text is reproduced. http://www.archive.org/details/livesofirishsain02ohanuoft 3. J.A. Knowles, St Brigid, Patroness of Ireland (Dublin, 1907) Issued to coincide with the centenary of the founding of the Brigidine order of nuns in Co.Carlow, this volume combines the life of their patroness with a history of the order, a centenary ode and a prayer to St Brigid by Cardinal Moran. http://www.archive.org/details/stbrigidpatrone00knowgoog 4. A book of saints and wonders put down here by Lady Gregory according to the old writings and the memory of the people (London, 1908) 'Brigit the Mary of the Gael' forms the first book of this collection. http://www.archive.org/details/bookofsaintswond00gregrich 5. St. Brigit: The Mary of the Gael by Hugh de Blacam Extracted from the author's book The Saints of Ireland: The Life Stories of Ss Brigit and Columcille (1942) http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/BRIGID.htm Online Articles There are innumerable webpages giving sketches of the life of St Brigid, but below is a small selection of more substantive articles. The Festival of Brigid the Holy Woman Seamus O'Cathain examines the folk traditions surrounding the Feast of our national patroness. http://www.celt.dias.ie/publications/celtica/c23/c23-231.pdf The True Patron of Ireland:Saint Brigit and the Rise of Celtic Christianity by Autumn Dolan Departmental Honors Thesis,The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga,History. Disappointingly simplistic account which reflects many of the myths of 'Celtic Christianity'. http://www.utc.edu/Administration/DepartmentalHonors/DolanA.pdf St. Brigit of Ireland: From Virgin Saint to Fertility Goddess Lisa M.Bitel examines the relationship between the saint and the pagan goddess. http://monasticmatrix.org/commentaria/article.php?textId=6 Brigit, Goddess, Saint, Holy Woman and bone of contention Carole Cusack's take on the pagan goddess versus Christian saint debate. She argues for O'Cathain's use of the term 'Holy Woman'. http://escholarship.library.usyd.edu.au/journals/index.php/SSR/article/view/126/147 Brigit of Kildare, Golden Sparkling Flame: A Study in the Liminality of Women's Spiritual Power Edward C. Sellner relates the life of St Brigid to the debate on the role of women in the modern western church. http://monasticmatrix.usc.edu/commentaria/article.php?textId=3150 There are also a couple of articles by Orthodox writers: On Holiness, Authority, and St. Brigit of Kildare Kyriaki Karidoyanes FitzGerald http://www.stnina.org/journal/art/1.4.10 A Gift of Hospitality - Saint Brigid, Abbess of Kildare Mary Dugan Doss http://www.roca.org/OA/107/107e.htm
