The Irish standard., 1915-01-30

The wonderful sanctity of st. Brig
I'd life. her profound huml4ily, ner
selt-mortihcatlons combined with her
cunning zeal tor the saIvatlon OF souls,
gained LOT her, even IN her lifetime,
Veneration and respect perhaps
never SO lully accorded to any otner
saint. Chu4c nes IN England, Scot
land, France, Germany and all over
Europe, We're dedicated to God in her
name and under her patronage. In
Ireland down to the present day she
ranks next to the Blessed Mother in
The hearts of the people. She was
true to her name, she was very fond
OF the light and the sunshine, all DUR
ing the winter she was eagerly look
ing forward to the first day of Spring
which came on February LIST. The
humble little dandelion because it was
the first flower to make it's appear
ance was her favorite flower. She was
known as the patroness of Candle.
mas" and the little dandelions spring
ing up all over the lawns like little
candles gave her great Joy. So too,
the little robin red-breast, because he
was the first bird of the Spring was
called st. Brigid's Sweetheart, she
used to eagerly watch for him. In the
face Of all this it seems providential
that her death occurred on the LIST
day of February, the day which ush-
cred in light and hope. She prophe-
cied for her people before she died.
Every day after my day will be fine,
and even half Of my day will be fine"
How true this has proven. In Ireland
today, no matter how gloomy the win.
ter Is, the moment the LIST of February
dawns, hope springs afresh, bright
and green, the days have heightened
to such an extent that the evening
meal can be partaken of by the light
OF the day. 1t may be possible that
the old saying: "Candlemas day,
throw candles and candlesticks away"
originated in the time of the patron
ess of Candlemas." st. Brigid was
also called the saint of the Yellow
Fire" "The Fair Woman Of February"
Daughter of the Morning" saint of
Advancing Spring" etc. st. Brigid is
often pictured with church entwined
with ook 1oovoo In <ha loo1,~,o,,5
The symbolism in this picture means,
she founded the church of Kildare,
the church Of the Oak, which typif1es
strength and fortitude. she is some-
times pictured as holding the church
in her hand, meaning she accepted
the sacrifice. She is also pictured
with the head Of COW or an OK. The
old form of sacrifice. the OK as a vic.
tim, by poetical form Of expression
this came to mean, the one officiating,
or the mediator of the people. Be.
cause she preached the new form of
sacrifice to her people, and because
she prayed for them, St. Brigid is
known as the priestess Of her people,
and as such is entitled to this symbol.
She is more often pictured sitting
at an Altar on which reposes an open
book. The symbolism of the book is
as follows: When a Saint is pictured
with closed book it means that the
Saint is student or seeker of know.
ledge, but when the book is open It
means that though the Saint may still
be student. they have also acquired
knowledge which they are willing +
impart to others, willing to testify
20 to speak. to the one true God. St.
Brigid did acquire wonderful know.
edge and did give this knowledge In
plentiful measure to her people; and
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