ST. MARY OF THE PINES

   We welcome all women who are Irish by birth or marriage. Our mission is to learn more about St. Brigid of Kildare's work and ministry.

  St. Brigid supported education, was an early conservationist, and is also the patroness of smith-craft and poetry. She believed it is possible to see Christ in the world around us. We seek to learn and apply her teachings in our own lives. 

  On the last Sunday in January we celebrate St. Brigid and our shared Irish heritage with a rosary in Irish and English, as well as a dual language Mass. After Mass, we host a ceili (Irish for gathering) with Irish food, dancing, music, and a mumming play. Nine days prior to our celebration we gather and pray a novena to St. Brigid.   

Cead Mile Failte! One hundred thousand welcomes to all!
 

Prayer to the St. Brigid of the Mantle:

Brigid of the Mantle, encompass us.
Lady of the Lambs, protect us.
Keeper of the Hearth, kindle us.
Beneath your mantle gather us, and restore us to memory.
Mothers of our mother, Foremothers strong.
Guide our hands in yours,
remind us how to kindle the hearth, 
to keep it bright, to preserve the flame. 
Your hands upon ours, our hands within yours,
to kindle the light, both day and night. 
The Mantle of Brigid about us, the Memory of Brigid with us,
the protection of Brigid keeping us from harm, from dawn til dark
from dark til dawn.