In a historic and poignant event, a relic of St Brigid has made its way back to Co. Kildare, marking the 1,500th anniversary of the revered Irish saint’s passing. This relic, once part of the remains of St Brigid, returned to its roots in Kildare, where the saint’s journey began and where her legacy is deeply intertwined with the town’s history.
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St Brigid’s Relics: A Journey Through Centuries
St Brigid, one of Ireland’s patron saints, is believed to have been originally buried in Kildare after her death in 524 AD. However, in the ninth century, her remains were transferred to an unmarked grave in Downpatrick. The relic that has returned to Kildare traces its roots to the Brigidine Sisters in Tullow, Co. Carlow, who acquired it in the 1930s.
The Celebratory Procession and Mass
To honor this significant homecoming, a procession accompanied the relic from the Solas Bhride Centre in Tully to the Kildare Town Parish Church. The Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin, Fr Denis McNulty, presided over a special Mass, where the relic found its place within the town’s spiritual heart. The event was attended by local dignitaries, including Cathaoirleach Daragh Fitzpatrick, Tourism Minister Catherine Martin, and Fr Francisco Rodrigues, parish priest of St John the Baptist Church in Lumiar, Portugal.
Connecting Kildare to Lumiar
The relic presented in Kildare is a fragment of one still venerated at the Church of St John the Baptist in Lumiar, outside Lisbon. According to historical accounts, three Irish knights transported this relic to Lumiar in the 13th century. The Brigidine Sisters in Tullow secured a portion of this Lumiar relic in the 1930s, and this fragment has now found a permanent display space at the Kildare Town Parish Church.
Historical Significance and 1,500th Anniversary Celebrations
Today’s Mass is part of Kildare County Council’s Brigid 1500 program, commemorating St Brigid’s life and legacy. David Mongey, chair of the Kildare Tourism Board, highlighted the historical importance of bringing St Brigid’s relics back home in the 1,500th year since her passing. The town of Kildare, which owes its existence to St Brigid, welcomed the relic in a celebration that signifies not only historical reverence but also a potential boost to local tourism.
Conclusion
As St Brigid’s relic takes its place in Kildare, locals see it as more than a historical artifact; it symbolizes the enduring legacy of a peacemaker and protector of nature. The homecoming of St Brigid’s relic after centuries adds a new chapter to the town’s narrative, connecting the past with the present and inspiring future generations to honor the patron saint of Ireland.
