The Brigidine Congregation in Mountrath is beginning celebrations of its bi-centenary with the launch of a 2009 Diary.The commemorative diary features the story of the Brigidine congregation which was established first in 1807 in Tullow by Bishop Delaney (which was commemorated in 2007) and followed by a new community in 1809 in Mountrath, Co Laois which is being celebrated this year.
The Brigidines have St Brigid as their patroness and when Bishop Delaney set up the community he said this was not a new congregation but rather a re-founding of the Sisters of St Brigid with the spiritual heritage of St Brigid of Kildare, Patroness of Ireland.
So the diary also includes prayers to St Brigid and details how her life is relevant today – in particular her care of the earth and how she can be a model of equality having been an abbess of a monastery with both men and women.
The order has spread world wide and in Australia a Brigidine College has been named Kildare and a local artist has depicted Brigid dancing the dance of the New Life of Creation carrying the Spirit of Jesus into the 21st century.
Celebrations during the year in Mountrath include publication of a commemorative magazine and other events. As the congregation was founded on 18th April 1809, the main celebration will be on 19th April in Mountrath at 2.00.
All are welcome especially parishioners and past pupils.
The Brigidines were set up to provide education in penal times and they continued the tradition with a boarding school in Mountrath which was attended by students from all over Ireland.
In 2009 a new community school will amalgamate the Brigidine Secondary School, Patrician College, Ballyfin and St Aengus’ Vocational School and a new era will be born.
“In Mountrath we are celebrating the fact that we are still here and the school is here, and there is new excitement at the new community school,” Sr Helen told ciNews.
Although the Brigidines started in education they are now involved in a variety of works which address the needs of modern society.
These include education, parish ministry, spirituality centres, retreats, chaplaincy, counselling, advocacy and justice, caring for travellers, care of the earth, missions, and refugee support work.
The congregation is focusing on the very disturbing issue of trafficking of women and children worldwide for the sex industry.
For further details on the Brigidines in Ireland and abroad see:www.brigidine.org.au,
www.solasbhride.ie
and
www.teachbhride.com
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(Source: CIN)