'ST. BRIGID 'MARY OF THE GAEL' was born in the mid-fifth century, and buried at Downpatrick beside St. Patrick and St. Colmcille. Brigid built the first Irish Convent beside a giant oak tree—this place became known as the Church of the Oak (Cill Dara) or Kildare as it is known today. Brigid was the daughter of a pagan chieftain—a stubborn unbeliever. Before his death Brigid sat by him in prayer, and whiled away the time by weaving the first St. Brigid's Cross before his death. The St. Brigid's Cross, believed to protect the home and animals from evil and want, is placed in cottages on her feast day, February 1st, the day on which she died about 524 A.D.

The vision of St. Brigid was a heavenly community in which all created beings were joined together in joy. This is a poem attributed to St. Brigid giving voice to this hope:

I should like a great lake of beer for the King of Kings.
I should like the angels of Heaven to be drinking it through time eternal.
I should like excellent meats of belief and pure piety.
I should like the men of Heaven at my house.
I should like barrels of peace at their disposal.
I should like for them cellars of mercy.
I should like cheerfulness to be their drinking.
I should like Jesus to be there among them.
I should like the three Marys of illustrious renown to be with us.
I should like the people of Heaven, the poor, to be gathered around from all parts.