Brigidine House is named after one of our College patrons, St. Brigid of Kildare.
She lived around 1500 years ago in Ireland and is one of Ireland’s patron saints. She is also the patroness of the Brigidine Sisters who would go on to co-establish St Augustine’s College in Kyabram as a part of their global teaching mission.
Brigid is celebrated for her kind-hearted and generous nature, and stories of her that have been passed down tell of a woman who was most concerned about reaching out to those on the margins of society, and this hospitality extended to animals and plant life. In this way, St Brigid of Kildare serves as a wonderful example of the Christian call to stewardship. Stories of Brigid tell of her milking the cows, churning the butter, growing crops and baking the bread. She was a carer of the earth and recognised the importance of a fire, not only for survival, but also for its symbolism of lighting the way through darkness.
There are many other stories and symbols associated with St Brigid of Kildare.
Brigid House Symbol - Bold, Brave and True
The logo for Brigidine House depicts an oak tree imposed on the Brigidine cross. The oak is connected to the story of St Brigid as Kildare (place of the Oak) was where she founded her first monastery. The tree also stands for strength, growth and St Brigid’s love for the earth and God’s creation.
Bold, Brave and True captures the essence of St Brigid and the many qualities she displayed throughout her life and ministry.
The house chant is as follows:
We are keen; we're a team,
We all scream for Brigidine!
Other symbols associated with Brigid
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Brigid's Cross:
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Symbol of protection and prosperity, Brigid's Cross is traditionally woven from rushes or straw. Legend holds that St. Brigid wove this cross to comfort a dying pagan chieftain, converting him to Christianity. It represents the intertwined connection of faith and nature.
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St. Brigid's Cloak:
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St. Brigid's Cloak symbolizes her compassion for the poor. Legend has it that she asked the King of Leinster for land to build an abbey for the needy. When he refused, she requested only as much land as her cloak could cover. Miraculously, the cloak stretched to cover the desired area.
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Brigid's Well:
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Brigid's Well signifies healing and purification. Pilgrims visit holy wells dedicated to St. Brigid, seeking physical and spiritual healing. Water from these wells is believed to have special properties. Brigid's Well in Kildare is a renowned pilgrimage site, reflecting her association with water and life.
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Brigid's Flame: