Friday, January 30, 2009
Cill Dara
Cill Dara
St. Brighid's community grew around a tall sacred oak trees. Under her guidance it became a large mixed community and centre of learning. She coopted Bishop Conleth to help her manage the community which was famous for its illuminated manuscripts. With the same generosity that made her give her father's sword to a leper she set to giving Conleth's precious vestments to the poor.
Cill Dara is famous for the sacred perpetual fire that was tended by nineteen nuns. This was enclosed by a fence of brushwood which no man was allowed to enter. It burned continuously until 1220ce when Bishop Henry de Londres, concerned by its pagan connotations, had it extinguished. However, it was quickly relit but finally extinguished during the Reformation.
According to Cogitosus, Brighid and her community were renowned for their faith, healing powers, love of creation, hospitality, generosity and compassion. St. Brighid went on to found communities at, Breagh in Meath, Hay in Connaught and Cliagh in Munster
St. Brighid's community grew around a tall sacred oak trees. Under her guidance it became a large mixed community and centre of learning. She coopted Bishop Conleth to help her manage the community which was famous for its illuminated manuscripts. With the same generosity that made her give her father's sword to a leper she set to giving Conleth's precious vestments to the poor.
Cill Dara is famous for the sacred perpetual fire that was tended by nineteen nuns. This was enclosed by a fence of brushwood which no man was allowed to enter. It burned continuously until 1220ce when Bishop Henry de Londres, concerned by its pagan connotations, had it extinguished. However, it was quickly relit but finally extinguished during the Reformation.
According to Cogitosus, Brighid and her community were renowned for their faith, healing powers, love of creation, hospitality, generosity and compassion. St. Brighid went on to found communities at, Breagh in Meath, Hay in Connaught and Cliagh in Munster
The Story Of Brighid's Convent
As the story is told, St. Brigid went to the King of Leinster to tell him she needed land upon which to build a convent.
"You do, do you?" replied the king. "How much do you need?"
"We need only the land my cloak will cover - no more", answered Brigid.
"Well if that's all!" said the amused king, "You shall have it. That can be settled easily."
On hearing that, Brigid removed her cloak and laid it on the ground. Then to the absolute amazement and astonishment of everyone watching, the cloak began to grow. It grew and grew. It stretched all round at once, stretching itself out and rapidly gaining speed. Startled the king jumped back. The cloak was like a living thing.
Finally it stopped. Brigid looked around her. In every direction her cloak stretched. It covered acre upon acre of rich, green, pastureland. With twinkling eyes she said, "Thanks be to God."
"And thanks be to me," said the king. "Make good use of it."
"You do, do you?" replied the king. "How much do you need?"
"We need only the land my cloak will cover - no more", answered Brigid.
"Well if that's all!" said the amused king, "You shall have it. That can be settled easily."
On hearing that, Brigid removed her cloak and laid it on the ground. Then to the absolute amazement and astonishment of everyone watching, the cloak began to grow. It grew and grew. It stretched all round at once, stretching itself out and rapidly gaining speed. Startled the king jumped back. The cloak was like a living thing.
Finally it stopped. Brigid looked around her. In every direction her cloak stretched. It covered acre upon acre of rich, green, pastureland. With twinkling eyes she said, "Thanks be to God."
"And thanks be to me," said the king. "Make good use of it."
My Struggle
I am a 58 year old woman, who has belonged to the Church all my life. When I was in my mid 40's, I began to long for something in my faith, but I didn't know what!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
