Lesser Known Saints: St. Kevin and St. Bridget

With Saint Patrick's Day just around the corner many people look towards him for guidance and look to him for meaning. Everyone knows what he did for the Christian faith and celebrate his life because of it. He walked around Ireland spreading the word of God. But Patrick was not the only one who went around telling all who would listen about the good news of Jesus Christ. There are other saints that are associated to Ireland for one reason or another. Saint Kevin and Saint Bridget both have different ties to Ireland but fall under the shadow of Saint Patrick. What is it that these two saints did to give them recognition? What made them basically saints?

St. Kevin does happen to have day of feast and celebration in his honor though it is not as widely known as St. Patrick. Saint Kevin is also known as Kevin of Glendalough. It is said that he was born under royal decent and his name Caoimhín actually means "fair begotten." T here are many legends that surround this saint and one doesn't know which could be true and which is simply fabrication of the truth. He lived in solitude most of his life and never had relationships with women. He founded a monastery in Glendaloguh. He spent his time devoted to the growth of his faith and the faith of those around him. He was aalso very concerned with the welfare of the animals in the area around Glendalough and general animal welfare. Although Patrick spent his time throughout Ireland, Kevin spent him time centralized in Glendalough.

There is a legend about St. Kevin that he held his hand out the window of a prison and a blackbird landed and nested on his hand. He held his hand out until the bird left. He was known to not eat meat but nettles and herbs that he had happen to find throughout the woods. While St. Patrick's symbol is the shamrock, St. Kevin is recognized by the blackbird because of the legend.

Another saint who is often times overlooked but highly regard is not only a saint, but a woman as well. St. Bridget of Ireland was a woman who was known for her desire to be rid of her beauty. Her father had promised her hand in marriage. In order for Bridget to keep her virginity and remain pure she took her first vows to be a nun. She worked with a convent of seven nuns and then began opening convents throughout Ireland. She prayed to God to rid her of her beauty so no other name would want to marry her. Her prayer was answered, but once her finals vows were taken she regained her beauty.

When St. Patrick heard of her vows it is said that he had stated "she is destined for great things." In later years of her life St. Bridget re-opened the double monastery which housed both monks and nuns. Bridget is often represented by an abbess which is a female abbot hold a lamp or a candle.

There are many saint within the Catholic realm. Many people know about such as St. Patrick. St. Jude and St. Christopher. But there are also the lesser known Saints that did a great deal for the faith of themselves and the faith of mankind. They lived their lives for God and did what they could to do his work. St. Kevin is celebrated in June and St. Bridget is celebrate in February. While celebrating the good works of St. Patrick this year, let's also remember the works of other saints such as St. Kevin and St. Bridget.