Writing Brigit


Writing Brigit

Many years ago I wrote my first Brigit prayer. Poem. Blessing... I have been writing them ever since, but seldom publish them. Some are carefully researched and crafted, some are simple and straight from the heart. (Belated update: I did eventually publish a book called A Brigit of Ireland Devotional - Sun Among Stars. It contains many of my Brigit poems and prayers, essays, and resources.)

The prayers and blessings of my sisters in the Daughters of the Flame and other Brigit-loving women and men, living and long-dead, fill me with surprise and delight, as well.

I would like to share some of these writings with you.

Following is the one that signs off each of my emails, a reminder to guide my words and intentions with care when I write to anyone. It's as good a place to start as any.


Flame Offering

In the name of the three Brigits

I light the candle of my heart

May I offer it to everyone

gentle and steady

warm and bright



04 April 2017

Brigit Bé Bithmaith



English

Brigid, ever-good woman,
flame-golden, sparkling,
may she bear us to the eternal kingdom,
(she) the sun, Fiery, radiant!

May Brigid free us
past crowds of demons!
May she win for us
battles over every disease!

May she extirpate in us
the vices of our flesh,
she, the branch with blossoms,
the mother of Jesus!

The true-virgin, dear
with vast pre-eminence,
may we be free, at all times,
along with my Saint of Leinster-folk!

One of the two pillars of the Kingdom,
along with Patrick the pre-eminent;
the vestment beyond even splendid
vestments;
the royal Queen!

May they lie, after old age,
our bodies, in sackcloth,
but with her grace may she bedew us,
may she free us, Brigid!


Irish

Brigit bé bithmaith
breo orda oiblech.
donfe do 'n bithlaith
ingrian tind taidlech.

Ronsoera Brigit
sech drungu demna
roroena reunn
catha cach thedma.

Do rodha innunn
ar colla císu
in chroeb co mblathaib
in mathair Ísu.

Ind firóg inmain
co norddain adbail,
biam soer cech inbaid
la'm noeb do Laignib.

Leth cholba flatha
la Patraic prímda
in tlacht vas ligdaib
in rigan rígda.

Robbet iar sinit
ar cuirp hic cilicc;
Dia rath ronbroena
ronsoera Brigit.







Image: Kenneth AllenHawthorne blossoms, Omagh. Pictured along Hospital Road. 28 June 2009. Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.
Text: Trinity College Dublin MS 1441, the “Irish Liber Hymnorum” Ireland,11th c. (see http://www.vanhamel.nl/codecs/Brigit_bé_bithmaith for more information.)
Translation: Ruth Lebrnam

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