Rich in historical detail, Heather Terrell’s mesmerizing novel Brigid of Kildare is the story of the revolutionary Saint Brigid and the discovery of the oldest illuminated manuscript in the annals of the Church, a manuscript that contains an astonishing secret history. Fifth-century Ireland: Brigid is Ireland’s first and only female priest and bishop. Followers flock to her Kildare abbey and scriptorium. Hearing accounts of Brigid’s power, the Church deems her a threat and sends Decius, a Roman priest and scribe, on a secret mission to collect proof of Brigid’s heresy. As Decius records the unorthodox practices of Brigid and her abbey, he becomes intrigued by her. When Brigid assigns Decius a holy task—to create the most important and sacred manuscript ever made—he finds himself at odds with his original mission and faces the most difficult decision of his life. Modern day: Alexandra Patterson, an appraiser of medieval relics, has been summoned to Kildare to examine a reliquary box believed to belong to Saint Brigid. Hidden within the sacred box is the most beautiful illuminated manuscript Alex has ever seen. But even more extraordinary is the contents of the manuscript’s vellum pages, which may have dire repercussions for the Catholic Church and could very well rewrite the origins of Christianity.

Despite being the female patron saint of Ireland and one of the most remarkable women in Irish history, St. Brigid has always been an elusive figure. Some scholars have argued that she never existed as a real person but was merely the Christian personification of the cult of a pagan goddess of the same name. This book reviews all the evidence-history, legend and folklore-and concludes that while she has many of the attributes of the goddess Brigit, she was certainly a real person. The book also reviews her cult and veneration in Ireland and overseas, from her lifetime down to the present day, as attested by place-names, holy wells, and folklore, and also by the large numbers of churches (Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland), schools, and GAA clubs dedicated to her. [Subject: Irish Studies, Irish Saints, Folklore, Myth & Legend, Christianity, History]

St. Thérèse’s suffering as a nun, the bullying she experienced at school, and details of her tragic death from tuberculosis aged 24 are revealed in this groundbreaking book. You will read about her many miracles, including cures from cancer, arthritis and infertility. The Little Flower’s blueprint for a good and fulfilling life – her “little way” – is explained. Everybody is important, she said. Every little deed matters. Her philosophy is as relevant today as it ever was. This powerful and inspiring book gives you an intimate insight to one of Ireland’s favourite saints whose relics created a national sensation during their visit in 2001. Reviews “A great book,” RTE Radio 1 “Fascinating,” LMFM “A beautiful book,” Africa magazine “A compelling read,” The Connaught Telegraph “The Little Flower comes across as a very modern, millennial, feminist type of woman,” Brendan O’Connor, Sunday Independent

Along with Mother Teresa and John Paul II, Padre Pio is one of the most beloved and inspirational figures for both Catholics and people of belief throughout the world. Now, in Padre Pio - The Scent of Roses, award-winning journalist Colm Keane, brings accounts of the saint's wonderful influence up to date. Using first-hand accounts of healing and recovery from illness, and through the stories of miracles and cures attributed to Padre Pio, this book provides new insights into the power and reach of the saint, who for fifty years bore the five wounds of Christ. The author retells personal stories of recovery from various cancers (including tumours and leukaemia), heart problems, depression, arthritis and multiple sclerosis and remarkable revivals from brain injuries, infections, accidents, kidney failure, blood clots and problems in childbirth. 'A remarkable book' - Brendan O'Connor, The Saturday Night Show, RTÉ One on We'll Meet Again 'A beautifully crafted book' - Sunday Independent on Going Home Colm Keane's writing on life, death and spirituality has touched readers in profound ways over many years and many of his books have been number one bestsellers. His latest, Padre Pio - The Scent of Roses is a deeply spiritual book on a much loved and revered saint.

Like Jesus in the story of the loaves and fishes, Brigid wants to feed the hungry, but she is often hungry herself. When a beggar woman asks for the only food Brigid has—a dish of butter—she knows she can feed the one before her and opens her heart in generosity and love. This story of the first miracle of St. Brigid of Ireland will captivate children ages 6 to 9 to learn about the life of this generous saint.

Relates a legend about the Irish slave girl who became Saint Brigid, beginning with a celestial song, a mysterious gift, and a prophecy on the night of her birth.

Brigid of Kildare, Ireland, is uniquely venerated as both a goddess and a saint throughout Ireland, Europe and the USA. Often referred to as Mary of the Gael and considered the second most important saint in Ireland after St Patrick, her widespread popularity has led to the creation of more traditional activities than any other saint; some of which survive to this day. As a result of original historical and archaeological research Brian Wright provides a fascinating insight into this unique and mysterious figure. This book uncovers for the first time when and by whom the goddess was 'conceived' and evidence that St Brigid was a real person. It also explains how she 'became' a saint, her historical links with the unification of Ireland under a High King in the first century and discusses in depth her first documented visit to England in AD 488. Today, Brigid remains strongly connected with the fertility of crops, animals and humans and is celebrated throughout the world via the continuation of customs, ceremonies and relics with origins dating back to pre-Christian times. Using a combination of early Celtic history, archaeology, tradition and folklore from Ireland, Britain and other countries, this comprehensive study unravels the mystery of a goddess and saint previously complicated by the passage of time.