THE BRIDGE Brigid of Kildare

Simple color illustration of a woman standing in a pasture holding one sheep and sheltering two others under her long blue cloak. — Illustration of St Brigid by Kathleen Verschoyle
used by permission of the Portland Public Library, Portland Maine.

St. Brigid tended an eternal flame in Kildare, Ireland, while caring for people, animals, and the earth. And though she lived 1500 years ago, her story is seeing a huge resurgence in the 21st century.

Come on location with Katie to the Solas Bhride Centre in Kildare to meet Brigidine nun, Sister Rita Minehan. We promise a balm for your weary soul!

Here’s a great tutorial video on how to create your own Saint Brigid’s cross.

You can donate to the Solas Bhride Center here.

all photos by Katie Nelson unless otherwise indicated

Icon of St. Brigid of Kildare painted by Sr. Aloysius McVeigh, for St Brigid’s Parish Church in Kildare, Ireland. (click to learn more)

Katie in front of Kildare Cathedral
photo by Marc Nelson

A Saint Brigid’s cross made of rushes, created by Culnacreann.

Brigid’s cross in the ceiling at Solas Bhride

Site where flame was relit in Kildare town square

Candle flame in bog wood sculpture, Solas Bhride

Sister Rita shows the Solas Bhride logo which they stitched by hand

Aerial view of Kildare Cathedral and Fire Temple site, taken from round tower

Stained glass window of St. Brigid in St. Joseph Church, Macon, Georgia.
image in the public domain

Rita Minehan is a Brigidine Sister and a native of Co. Tipperary, Ireland. A secondary school teacher and psychotherapist by profession, she was a founding member of APT (Act to Prevent Human Trafficking), working to raise awareness about human trafficking. She has worked with women affected by prostitution and human trafficking in a variety of capacities, and has been involved with Afri (Action from Ireland)’s St. Brigid’s Peace Campaign and Justice and Peace Conference for nearly 30 years. As a founding member member of the Solas Bhríde Centre team, she has been involved in the creation of several initiatives, including its pilgrimage programme. A second edition of her book, Rekindling the Flame: A Pilgrimage in the Footsteps of St Brigid of Kildare will be published in December 2022.