St. Brigid of Ireland -- February 1

A few years after St. Patrick arrived in Ireland, a little girl named Brigid was born. Her father was an Irish lord. As Brigid grew up, she deepened her love for Jesus. She looked for him in the poor and often brought food and clothing to them. It has been said that one day she gave away a whole pail of milk. Then she began to worry about what her mother would say. She prayed to the Lord to make up for what she had given away. When she got home, her pail was full again. 

Brigid was beautiful. Her father thought that it was time for her to marry. However, she had decided in her heart to give herself entirely to God. She did not want to marry anyone. When she learned that her beauty was the reason young men were attracted to her, she made an unusual request to God. She asked that her beauty be taken from her. God granted her request. 

Seeing that his daughter was no longer pretty, Brigid's father gladly agreed when Brigid asked to become a nun. The girl did follow her call to religious life. She even started a convent so that other young women could become nuns, too. It seems that after she consecrated her life to God in the convent, a miracle happened. Brigid became beautiful again! 

She reminded people of the Blessed Mother because she was so gentle. Some called her the "Mary of the Irish." St. Brigid died in 525. J

She reminds us not to waste our time worrying about looks. Each of us is special to God.