BRIGIDINE BICENTENARY CELEBRATIONS 1807/2007
1st February 2007
President joins Brigidine Sisters 200th anniversary celebrations
Thursday, February 1st marked the 200th anniversary of the Brigidine Order.
To mark the event President Mary McAleese attend a special Mass at the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, in Tullow celebrated by Bishop of Kildare, Dr James Moriarty and afterwards she planted an oak sapling in the convent grounds.
The Brigidine Order began against the background of the penal days in Ireland. Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Daniel Delaney, understood the need for education and for a revitalisation of the faith. He gathered together a small group of six women in Tullow. Aged between 25 and 48 they had little learning, but were trained by lay women.
‘On the first of February 1807, Bishop Daniel Delaney planted an oak sapling, at the foundation of the order. He didn’t see us as a new congregation, but the restoration of an ancient order of St Brigid of Kildare. The sapling that President McAleese planted, came from an acorn from that same tree.
Since its foundation, 1,709 sisters have served in the Brigidine Order. Today there are 380 sisters in Ireland, Britain, Kenya, the United States, China, Australia and New Zealand.
The order was born through reading in the signs of the times the need for education, which is still a key part of its work, but today the sisters are also involved in justice and ecology projects and work against human trafficking.
Visit the Brigidine Sisters Web-Site
Below are some photographs from 1st February celebration and the Brigidine Bicentenary Logo
Description of the Logo
ST. BRIGID'S CROSS
Brigids patoranage and spirit which extends over the centuries, in all directions and into all areas of need.
CIRCLE
The world into which we strive to bring the Gospel message.
FLAMES
Daniel Delaney's spirit of love and compassion which motivates our ministry.
RIBBON
Celebration - connects past, present, and future
President Mary McAleese
The Oak Sapling
A very old statue of Brigid in Convent grounds
