Aug 5, 2008
Ireland in the sixth century. The Druidess Brigid converts to Christianity and takes the Veil, Life is still wild and violent, but gradually Patrick's words and preaching tames the wild people. They receive Christianity as the flowering of their Otherworld beliefs.
Brigid's father is far from happy and tries to make her marry but she thwarts his wishes in a startling way and sails to Wales where she begins a cult, with her kindness, flowing generosity and motherliness. She also does miracles, getting cattle to give mile more freely and turning smelts into butter. Finally she returns to her 'Church of the Oak' at Kildare and gets a local hermit to study to be a Bishop so they could have Mass. A flame was lit in the firehouse to the eternal glory of God, and which the Normans found when they arrived. After her death her body was buried at Kildare and then to Downpatrick. It is believed that her skull was, however removed at this time, and later was brought to Portugal by knights who wanted to preserve it. It was placed in a reliquary where it can be observed today. Good because the agents of Henry VIII completely desicrated the shrine of Patrick and the relics of St Brigid.
On the blog www.maryinmonmouth.blogspot.com you can see a video of this shrine. Part 2 I will do tomorrow from the Newport Church of St Bridges Wentloog (near the West Usk Lighthouse0 at Peterstone. This is a very ancient Church . I shall also be tackling the church at St Brides in Netherwent, near Magor also near Newport, which is also very interesting.Enjoy