(photo above: St Brigid's Cathedral and Round Tower, Kildare)
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Brigidines of the Holy Spirit

​In August 2021 Sr Hallyson Abigail was clothed as a Brigidine Novice at the Oratory of Our Lady and the Holy Cross, Etnedal, Norway. Sr Hallyson, a teacher by profession, is following a personal rule of life inspired by Celtic monastic tradition and devotion to St Brigid of Kildare. As of August 2022 we also have a male postulant, who is also a member of the teaching profession. Sr Hallyson's Profession is scheduled for October 2022.

The theory that the community over which  St Brigid presided as Abbess of Kildare (the "Church of the Oak") was originally a community of Druidesses has gained popular acceptance over the last hundred years or more, for as the Brigidine community kept a Sacred Flame alight, night and day, for centuries - until the Reformation in fact - it is believed by many that this practise was inherited from the former community, who may have been something akin to Roman Vestal Virgins. "Flame Keeping" continues to be central to Brigidine spirituality today and of course also reminds Christians of the Holy Spirit who descended on Our Lady and the Apostles "like flames of fire" at Pentecost.

Sacred Flame in Kildare town

Sr Hallyson Abigail - Profession, 2022

Clothing Ceremony of Sr Hallyson Abigail BHS

A Prayer to St Brigid

O Thou Most Holy Virgin Bride, we greet Thee. Thou who comest robed in the Greater Glory of the Holy Spirit.
​Bride of Supreme Wisdom, Beauty and Truth.
Come on Wings of Deliverance, bearing the shield of a Dove.
Whisper to the saddend Heart of My Humanity that Redemption draweth Nigh. 
Come O Bride, Thy Servants do Wait, ​
Come O Bride, Thy Servants do Wait, ​
Come O Bride, Thy Servants do Wait,
Come in the Light of the Shining Moon,
Come in the Dawning of the Day.
Here our cry, O Bride, Most Glorious Virgin of Supreme Loveliness.
Be Gracious unto thy Servants. Amen.

​(Kitty Tudor Pole, Christine and Janet
​(Sr Brigid) Allen)

Link to A Chaplet of the Holy Ghost