St. Brigid's Cross

In a popular icon of St. Brigid she is depicted with her handmade cross of rushes.  I have one of these crosses on my living room wall and have found it is usually a conversation piece, with one guest believing it was some sort of ninja tool!   Legend says that the saint formed this cross in order to minister to a dying man; one version goes like this:

"A pagan chieftain from the neighborhood of Kildare was dying. Christians in his household sent for Brigid to talk to him about Christ. When she arrived the chieftain was raving. As it was impossible to instruct this delirious man, hopes for his conversion seemed doubtful. Brigid sat down at his bedside and began consoling him. As was customary, the dirt floor was strewn with rushes both for warmth and cleanliness. Brigid stooped down and started to weave them into a cross, fastening the points together. The sick man asked what she was doing. She began to explain the cross, and as she talked his delirium quieted and he questioned her with growing interest. Through her weaving, he converted and was baptized at the point of death. Since then the cross of rushes has been venerated in Ireland."

I think it's interesting to note that both St. Patrick and St. Brigid utilized elements of nature, shamrocks and rushes, respectively, in order to minister to those seeking the Divine. It calls to mind Romans 1:20, "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse..."  All the firmament shouts His glory, how much more in the hands of His precious saints!

Patricius: Beacon for Christ

“I am Patrick - a sinner - the most unsophisticated and unworthy among all the faithful of God.  Indeed, to many I am the most despised.”   

These are the words of St. Patrick from the beginning of his Confession, written nearly sixteen centuries ago in defense of his mission in Ireland.  Often obscured by legends, the man born Patricius in 4th century Roman Britian, has a story worth knowing; a quality of humility worth emulating.

I’ve recently finished Philip Freeman’s biography, St. Patrick of Irelend, and although I would’ve enjoyed references to support his claims, I thought it was a very thorough look at the medieval world in which Patrick lived.  I didn’t realize the corroborative evidence bearing witness to Patrick’s life was so limited.  In my mind, St. Patrick is the one who drove snakes from Ireland, used the shamrock to teach his converts about the Holy Trinity and displayed fierce courage in the face of powerful druids. 

What I gained through this book and also an article by Mary Cagney in Christian History magazine is that much can be discerned about Patrick’s life through the writings he has left us.  Not only do we have his lengthy Confession  but we also have a letter addressed to the "Soldiers of Coroticus"  which provides a window into Patrick's passion for the sanctity of life and his fury at those who slaughtered new Christian converts.  He boldly condemns their murderous slave campaign calling them, “citizens of Hell!” 

What is remarkable to this 21st century gal is that Patrick’s letters survived the Dark Ages and were preserved for over 1500 years, inspiring followers of Christ for generation upon generation.  Patrick survived a horrifying experience as a young man when he was taken captive by Irish raiders gathering slaves.  He was not yet 16 years old when his privileged life of nobility was transformed into a bleak existence in a distant and savage land.   Not only did Patrick survive the years of slavery, but this period proved to be fertile ground for his spiritual awakening.  His weak bonds with God became stronger through trials. 

I frequently need to be reminded to rejoice for my trials because, honestly, I like comfort rather than distress, excess rather than dearth.  It is from St. Patrick that I can draw inspiration to take the high road, to crave spiritual growth above complacency.  For one day I hope to say that someone else knew God because of the fruit He produced in me.   

Patrick wrote at the end of his Confession: “My final prayer is that all of you who believe in God and respect him- whoever you may be who read this letter that Patrick the unlearned sinner wrote from Ireland - that none of you will ever say that I in my ignorance did anything for God.  You must understand - because it is the truth - that it was all the gift of God.” 

A gift of God that continues to reach christians everywhere.