Brigid was born at Fouchard (Foughard) in the diocese of Armagh, County Louth (then part of Ulster) circa 451. Her father, a nobleman called Dubtach, was descended from Eschaid, the brother of King Constantine of the Hundred Battles, as he is surnamed by the Irish historians. Brigid’s parents were baptised by Saint Patrick himself, and they brought up their children in the holy fear of God. Brigid showed signs of sanctity from early in her life. Eventually she received the veil from the hands of Saint Mel, who was a nephew of Saint Patrick. In about 585 she built her first cell under a large oak which had previously been the site of pagan worship and from which it was named ‘Kil-dara’ (the cell of the oak). This was the first religious house of women in Ireland around it arose the city of Kildare. Bridget died circa 532 and was buried in the Cathedral of Downpatrick, where her relics were enshrined with those of Saint Patrick and Saint Columba.
Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:
At Smyrna, St. Pionius, priest and martyr. After writing in defence of the Catholic faith, after suffering imprisonment in a loathsome dungeon, where by his exhortations he encouraged even to martyrdom many of his brethren, after enduring excruciating pains from being pierced with nails and laid on a hot fire, he ended his life happily for Christ. With him suffered fifteen others.
At Ravenna, the holy bishop Severus, whose great virtues deserved that he should be raised to the episcopate by the sign of a dove.
At Trois-Chateaux in France, St. Paul, bishop, whose life was eminent for virtues and whose death was made precious by miracles.
The same day, St. Ephrem, deacon of the church of Edessa, in the time of the emperor Valens. After suffering many trials for the faith of Christ and gaining great renown for holiness and learning, he went to rest in the Lord.
At Castel Fiorentino in Tuscany, the blessed virgin Verdiana, a recluse of the Order of Vallumbrosa.
And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.
Thanks be to God.
