St. Brigid
Ireland 453 - 523
The child of a Scottish King and a slave, Brigid remained with her mother who was sold to a Druid land owner. As a child she was inspired by by St. Patrick's preaching. Brigid worked in the land owners dairy and was noted for generously- giving away the produce to anyone who was hungry or cold. Despite her generosity, the dairy prospered and many stories claim the milk pails were miraculously filled. Her tendency to give away her masters' goods ultimately led to her being granted her freedom.
She made her vows to St. Patrick and founded convents all over Ireland including the first double monastery for nuns and monks at Kildare. She traveled extensively and there are many stories about her.
She is the patron of cattle, dairy workers, poultry farmers as well as children of unmarried parents, blacksmiths, boatmen, infants, fugitives, midwives, poets, scholars, travellers and many related topics.
The following poem attributed to St. Brigid is translated by Sean O'Faolain
I would like to have the men of Heaven
in my own house:
with vats of good cheer
laid out for them
I would like to have the three Marys,
their fame is so great.
I would like people
from every corner of Heaven.
I would like them to be cheerful
in their drinking.
I would like to have Jesus too
here amongst them.
I would like a great lake of beer
for the King of Kings.
I would like to be watching Heaven's family
drinking it through all eternity.
Further information on St. Brigid can be found in Lives of the Saints, The Catholic Encyclopedia, Saints Index on Catholic Forum or Saints Index on Catholic.org.