Statues In St. Bridget Church
St. Bridget
Born: 450 A.D.
Died: 525 A.D.
St. Bridget was probably born at Faughart near Dundalk, Louth,
Ireland. Her parents were baptized by St. Patrick, with whom she
developed a close friendship. According to legend, Bridget's
father was an Irish chieftain of Leinster, named Dubhthach, and
her mother, Brocca, was a slave at his court. She was probably
officially professed as a nun by St. Mel of Armagh. It is also
believed that he conferred on her the authority to establish a
religious order and be its abbess. She settled with seven other
nuns at the foot of the Croghan Hill, and then about the year 468.
About the year 470 A.D., Bridget founded both a monastery and
convent at Cill-Dara [translated
Kildare] and was abbess of the convent, the first of its
kind in Ireland. The convent developed into a center of learning
and spirituality. Her feast is February 1st. The cow beside her
reminds us of the times she took milk and cream to her poor
neighbors. Bridget was a most charitable woman.
St. Columba (Columbkille)
Born: 521
Died: 597
Also known as Colm, Colum, and Columcile, he was probably born
at Gartan, Donegal, Ireland. His parents were of royal descent.
He was educated at Moville, where he became a deacon. He then
studied at Leinster and Clonard where he was probably ordained.
When a plague devastated Ireland, Columba returned to Ulster
where he spent the next 15 years preaching and establishing
monasteries, among them Derry, Durrow and Kells. He was caught
up in several disagreements that led to his being censured by
public officials. In remorse, Columba left Ireland in 563 and
built a great monastery on Iona, off the coast of Scotland. He
had a reputation for working miracles. He died on June 9, 597 at
the monastery on Iona. Columba's influence on Western
Christianity was enormous. Monks from Iona went all over Europe
and his monastic rule was practiced on the Continent until the
Rule of St. Benedict became almost universal.
St. Patrick (Statue on high altar)
St. Patrick (in sanctuary of church)
St. Jude
Our Lady of Grace
Sacred Heart
St. Anthony of Padua
St. Joseph
Communion Rail Statue (holding light)
Last Supper
The Infant of Prague
