Brigid, once only a name to me, has becomes a wise and loving companion, one to whom I turn morning and evening for light and guidance in my life. This fifth century Irish Saint, Abbess of a Monastery in Kildare where men and women lived a consecrated life, first began to interest me when I read Dolores Whelan’s book Ever Ancient, Ever New: Celtic Spirituality in the 21^st Century (The Columba Press, Dublin 2006), Dolores writes of Brigid’s ability to manifest abundance, of her generosity and kindness. In these qualities, sometimes shown in miraculous ways, Brigid continues the tradition of loving actions manifested by the pre-Christian goddess Brigid.

Legend says Brigid’s mother gave birth to her on the doorstep of her home, so that Brigid has became known as a threshold person, able to see both sides of an issue while remaining aligned within. Her capacity for peacefully resolving conflicts is a frequent theme in the stories told of her.

Dolores writes that Brigid “has the ability to stand in the gap and remain centred within the uncertainty present in the outer world.” Further,“being centred and aligned with ones deep inner knowing is a quality that each of us can and must develop at this time.” (72)

Another strong gift of Brigid is her capacity for focus. Brigid is said to have told St. Brendan: “Since the first day I set my mind on God I have never taken it away from him and I never will.” (73)

Through Dolores’ writings, I have come to know that Brigid’s qualities are not meant not only to inspire. They are meant to be imitated. Gradually, as I begin to take her way of being into my life, Brigid is becoming a real and active presence for me.

When in February 2014, I invited Dolores Whelan to come to Canada to offer a weekend session on Brigid at Galilee Centre in Arnprior, I met a woman who consciously embodied Brigid’s qualities. When a scheduling conflict arose, Dolores refused to have our weekend plans sidetracked to accommodate another agenda. “I’ve had a Brigid moment,” Dolores told me as she declared we would stay with the planned schedule. “That’s what these women (our 21 participants) have come for.”

In February of 2018, I travelled to Ireland to celebrate the Festival of Brigid. I stayed in Dolores’ home and was enchanted to see, on February 1^st, snowdrops blooming in Dolores’ front garden.

While in Ireland, I visited the beautiful Solas Bhride Centre outside Kildare. I stood before an enormous stone statue of Brigid, her hand raised to signify a Bishop’s Blessing.. I had to bend backwards to look up at her face as I asked her to guide my work in Spirituality. I was deeply moved to hear within me her words of response, as her hand, raised in blessing, seemed to gesture me onwards: Keep on your journey. Go on with your work. Don’t look back.

Brigid’s words continue to inspire me. They goad me on with my writing, my work of teaching, leading retreats and workshops on Spirituality. I continue to make Brigid’s inspiration known through my book “Singing the Dawn” (Borealis Press, 2022). http://www.borealispress.com/BookDetail/rid/1137/Singing%20the%20Dawn

This novel celebrates Brigid’s inspiration for 21^st century women who live in the light of her qualities.

For the past year I have had the grace of spending time each morning and evening with a set of sound recordings:“Healing Journeys with Brigid” created through the voice and violin of Kate Fitzpatrick. https://mythicvoice.ie/brigids-light/

I met Kate in 2018 while I was in Ireland. I find her guided meditations a wonderful way to come close to Brigid who has become a practical support in my daily life. For example, when I requested her help with an Internet breakdown last week, a snow-covered Bell Technician was at my door to repair the outdoor cable and restore my Internet connection within hours of my call for help. Now, that is miraculous!

Yet, Brigid’s guidance goes deeper. During a time of uncertainty, I heard Brigid counsel me to “focus on Sophia.” At times her clear guidance shows me where I have lost direction, or how to seek reconciliation within a difficult relationship, or to offer support to someone struggling.

Revisiting notes I made after working with Kate Fitzpatrick’s visualizations with Brigid, I read:

“Following a wakeful night, I allow Brigid to cleanse my heart, pouring. water over me from the stream that flows beside her. Brigid suggests that rather than blaming myself for taking on too much work, I might focus on how to recover energy after these experiences. Brigid’s advice brings memories of days I spent in Julian’s rose garden in Norwich, resting in beauty and peace after performing the play Julian.”

What I am now experiencing in this quiet companionship with Brigid is the healing I need: a practice of going into stillness before I begin an important task, so that my breathing, my heartbeats, my body become calm..Then I begin my work in a state of deep listening.

This mysterious and loving companionship is one I am coming to recognize as an aspect of Sophia, the Sacred Feminine Presence, to whom my life is consecrated.