Brigit Who?

In my formation class, we’ve been looking at Paul in an effort to better understand him, particularly regarding his supposed views of women.  As a tiny part of this work, I pointed out that in the letters scholars are sure he wrote, women play a significant role in the life of the early Christians.  Many are mentioned by name in his letters and often called “fellow workers in the gospel” or similar titles.  In the closing of Romans, for example, he mentions 26 people by name, eight of whom are women.  Perhaps because this was on my mind, I probably noticed that 1 Feb is the feast day of Brigit of Ireland, a saintly woman born in 453 and who died on 1 Feb 524.  I think she has something to say to us today.

Let's give a context to her and then consider why her life is important to us. Brigit is one of the patron saints of Ireland who was a founder of several monasteries for both men and women and served as abbess or head of several monasteries.  In Ireland at this time, it was not unusual for heads of monasteries to function as bishops.  The historical record indicates that Brigit and her successor abbesses held such an office following a practice which continued until the 20^th century.  This role has been downplayed over the centuries for obvious reasons, but the abbesses held the power even so. 

Her legend includes her ability to multiply things such as butter, bacon, milk and the like and to be able to control the weather. In one of her biographies, she is said to demonstrate her characteristic generosity by giving away all of her mother’s store of butter and then replenishing it through prayer.  Brigit also was credited with a number of other miracles, including healing.

She is said to have had a pagan chieftain as a father and a Christian woman as mother who was a former slave.  From an early age, Brigit showed interest in helping others as well as in education, especially for women. Brigit’s monasteries were centers of religion, but also of learning. One was eventually developed into a cathedral city. She founded a school of art, including metal work and the art of manuscript illumination.

One early biographer of Brigit wrote in a hymn that Christ was made known to others by her actions.  Perhaps that’s our take away from the life of this singular woman: that just as Brigit in her life and work, sought to make Christ known to others, we too have that same task. 

Without getting too preachy, let me suggest that in our modern world, not many seem to seek to do the same thing.  I’d argue that, on a daily basis, most folks give no thought to how their lives and work reflect on Christ. As a consequence, we see fewer and fewer people considering Christianity as having any meaning for today.  Perhaps that look at how Christians act and wonder if following Jesus is really worth the hassle of getting up on Sunday mornings.

It’s of no little importance that in the first several centuries following Jesus’ death and resurrection, Christian were persecuted for their faith.  During this same time, followers of Jesus grew from a handful to an estimated three million by 316 AD.  Was their witness a contributing factor?  Was how they lived and died drawing others to Jesus?  Something to think about.

Peace, Jerry