Sacred Dance at Solas Bhride
“In a society that worships love, freedom and beauty, Dance is sacred. It is a prayer for the future, a remembrance of the past and a joyful exclamation of thanks for the present” – Atwater Rhodes Bernard Wosien (1908 – 1986) was a German Ballet Master and choreographer and the father of Sacred Dance. After travelling to Greece and Yugoslavia where he came in contact with the old round dances which were still being kept alive, he understood their importance and healing power and that as such were an ideal medium to integrate spirit and body. In 1976 he was invited to Findhorn where he felt his dances could be used as a tool to enhance community and that they would flourish there. Anna Barton was our first teacher here in Ireland and she thankfully took notes of the steps on Bernard Wosien’s first visit to the Findhorn community. And as they say, the rest is history…the dance community has spread worldwide as has the dance repertoire. Since my first encounter with Sacred dance, it was as if I had “come home” and my wish was to share that special feeling with others. In Solas Bhríde our dances are used in many celebrations during the year (eg. Earth Day, Celtic Festivals, Solstices, Easter) and are used as a form of spiritual practice. At each dance event, Brigid’s light is brought to our sacred space and acts as a focal point for the celebration. Dances are selected for the event or theme that we are celebrating and Brigid’s story and values are interwoven through dance movement. It is a joy to be part of that creativity, part of the building of relationships and to see people so enjoy the time we spend together.
International Pilgrim Groups September 2021
After taking the first tentative steps in re-opening Solas Bhride in June 2021 we were delighted that so many individual pilgrims came to visit over the next few months. However, we did miss our international pilgrim groups. With Covid-19 remaining a barrier to international travel and with peoples own reluctance to brave air-travel we had resigned ourselves to waiting until 2022 to once again welcoming our international visitors. In August we were contacted by two USA groups about the possibility of visiting in September. One of the groups had rescheduled twice in the previous six months, and we were hoping that this would be third time lucky. On September 16th we welcomed the first international pilgrims of 2021, they arrived to much fanfare from the Solas Bhride team. After introductions, Rita spoke to them about Saint Brigid and situated her in history for the group. Their visit included time for meditation, a chance to walk the labyrinth and the newly developed Meditative Walk. Phil and Geraldine accompanied them to the nearby St Brigid’s well for prayerful ritual.
Looking Back 2013 – Solas Bhride enters House of Records
The Gathering was a nationwide event which took place through September 2013. One of the key events for the Brigid of Kildare Gathering celebration was a Guinness Book of Records attempt to have the largest number of people weaving Brigid’s crosses at the one time. So why this record attempt? Well the St Brigid’s Cross is a universally recognized symbol and the weaving of a St Brigid’s cross is an ancient Irish custom. Its origin may have begun as a pre-Christian symbol, was then assimilated into Christianity and has resonance with other cross types in many cultures around the world. It was thought that setting a World Record would further enhance the continuity of this custom of weaving the St Brigid’s Cross. A new category fir the weaving of St Brigid’s cross was created by Guinness World records on foot of an application by Solas Bhride and Cairde Bhride. Once approved, excitement grew as practice workshops were organised to ensure that the cross weaving success was higher that 95% on the day of the challenge. On 21st September, 2013, 357 people gathered in St Brigid’s Church, Kildare town and successfully created a new world record for the most people to weave a St Brigid’s cross at the same time. Those who gathered came from towns across Kildare and many travelled from USA, Australia, many parts of Europe, UK, and Canada. On the 6th November Guinness World Records formally confirmed the new world record had been achieved and Solas Bhride were presented with the World Record Certificate. It was a tremendous and very special occasion, one which rests proudly in the minds and hearts of all those who participated on the day.
The Oak Tree – a symbol of enduring legacy
On the 7th October, National Tree Day, we reflected on the history of the Oak tree, a key part of Ireland’s heritage. Those of you who have visited Solas Bhride and walked the meditative walk may have chosen to sit by the Oak Grove. You may have wondered about the significance of the Oak tree for Solas Bhride and for Kildare. St. Brigid founded her famous double monastery under an Oak tree in Kildare town in the 5th Century, hence the name Cill Dara, Church of the Oak. Centuries later, Bishop Daniel Delaney founded his congregation of Brigidine Sisters on 1st February 1807 in Tullow, County Carlow. To symbolise the link between the ancient 5th Century monastic order of St Brigid and the newly founded Brigidine Sisters, he took an Oak sapling from Kildare Town and planted it in Tullow on February 1st. 1807. That tree stands proudly today, a majestic reminder of his legacy over 200 years later. Keeping the Legacy alive – all paths lead to Kildare Town On the bi-centenary of the Brigidine Order in July 2007 two gatherings took place simultaneously. A small pilgrim group of Brigidine Sisters and friends, led by Fr Paudie McLoughney, St Patrick’s walked c.50kms from Tullow to St Brigid’s Well carrying seven Oak saplings from the original/majestic Oak tree planted in 1807. They converged with an international pilgrim group at St Brigid’s Well in Kildare Town for a ritual celebrating St Brigid, her vision and values for today. A Piper then led the pilgrim groups to the site for the new Solas Bhride Spirituality Centre on Tully Road, where the Oak saplings were symbolically planted with a view to providing continuity to the legacy and future vision. Those chosen to plant the Oak saplings represented the Brigidine life past and present, the pilgrims who had come and who would come to Kildare in the future, friends, associates and co-workers, musicians, artists and poets and all those who would create and work on the new Centre. The Oak Grove Eight years on, those 7 saplings together with an additional thirteen saplings were planted in the grounds of the newly opened Solas Bhride Spirituality Centre to mark Earth Day 2015. They were planted to form Solas Bhride Oak Grove by representatives from the local community, artists, Brigidines worldwide, Afri and Cairde Bhride, all who carry the Brigidine tradition in their own way into new horizons.
Season of Creation – Importance of Pollination
It is important that we support all our pollinators, both for their own sakes and also for the food which they help to provide
Advent Wk 2: Journeying with the Light of Awareness
Welcome to Solas Bhríde and to our reflection on Advent. Our theme for the second Sunday is: Journeying with the Light of Awareness. We light the second candle – a symbol of awareness. Awareness is key to our Advent Journey. The lead into Christmas can be very busy and stressful. Advent invites us to take time to come home to ourselves – time to rest in the awareness of the divine presence at the core of our being. We invite you to pause now: Become aware of your breathing. Breathe in gently, breathe out gently fora few moments. Breathe the breath of life. Rest now. Be aware of the divine presence within you and around you… Gift yourself daily with this little practice. It could be one of the most meaningful and helpful gifts you will receive this Christmas. Advent is an awareness time to help us not to miss the signs of God’s presence. John Cullen
Advent: Journeying with the Light
WEEK 1 – Journeying with the Light of Hope Welcome to Solas Bhríde and to our reflection on Advent. Our theme for the first Sunday is: Journeying with the Lght of Hope. We light the first candle – a symbol of hope. Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness – Desmond Tutu Hope is needed to carry us through difficult times. This is the darkest time of the year in the northern hemisphere – a time when many experience darkness at a personal level – family level – darkness in nature – collective darkness as we try to cope with a global pandemic. Advent gives us the opportunity to focus on the light that shines in the midst of darkness. May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
Some Images from Feile Bride 2020
Autumn at Solas Bhride
Each season is reflected in the sacred space in our inner courtyard. Margaret and Brenda resting after creating our beautiful reflective Autumn space. They invite us to reflect on Autumn as a time to be thankful, a time to gather, a time to store and a time to rest. The Sisters of Faith for Peace are women of all faiths, coming together to work for peace by transcending the boundaries of their own faith and culture, thereby uniting together to work for the common purpose of peace. This year the Sisters decided to hold their Autumn Interfaith Family Day in Solas Bhride on Sunday, September 22nd. The group included people of Muslim, Jewish and Christian faith. Kildare Ministries comprises the educational and community works formerly governed by the Brigidine Congregation in Australia and the Presentation Congregation of Victoria. Every two years Kildare Ministries conduct a pilgrimage to Ireland for their schools and administration staff. Pilgrims trace the founding stories of the Brigidine Sisters and the Presentation Sisters. They draw inspiration and energy for their mission today from their Irish heritage. Solas Bhride was delighted to welcome two Norwegian Pilgrim Groups. Her Excellency Else Berit Eikeland, Norwegian Ambassador to Ireland, accompanied both groups. The first group included the bishop of Nidaros, Church of Norway and a pastor to Norwegians in London. The second group, 28 pilgrims, came from the diocese of Bjorjvin (Bergin) and west coast Norway. The purpose of their visit to Ireland was to explore the spiritual and cultural heritage of some of Ireland’s saints. As well as their interest in St. Brigid they also visited places associated with St. Declan and st. Kevin. They presented Solas Bhride with a beautifully illustrated book on the legend of St. Sunniva who is reputed to have been an Irish princess. She was the only recognised female saint in Norway in the Middle Ages.
News from Solas Bhride
Heritage Week Event at Solas Bhride The theme for Heritage Week 2019 was “Pastimes- Past Times. A number of events took place in Kildare from August 17th to 25th. Heritage week provided a great opportunity for Solas Bhride to showcase our local heritage. Solas Bhride hosted an afternoon pilgrimage on Saturday, August 24th. The event focused on the spiritual and cultural heritage of St. Brigid. Those who participated in the event came from Ireland, Russia and America. The sun shone brightly as we walked the pilgrimage from Solas Bhride to St. Brigid’s well and afterwards returned to Solas Bhride for a walk around the grounds and to enjoy some light refreshments. Norwegian Ambassador visits Solas Bhride We were delighted to welcome Her Excellency Else Berit Eikeland to Solas Bhride on Thursday, August 1st. The purpose of her visit was to strengthen co-operation and bonding between pilgrims from Norway who are interested in coming to Ireland to walk pilgrim trails in the footsteps of the Irish saints. She has arranged for two groups to visit Solas Bhride to walk in the footsteps of St. Brigid of Kildare. She was amazed to hear of the many pilgrim groups from Norway that have already had contact with Solas Bhride through the years. Arklow Brigini Girl Guides On Saturday, June 29th the guides and their leaders spent a day walking in the footsteps of their patroness, St. Brigid. Their trip took in Kildare Heritage Centre, a visit to St. Brigid’s Cathedral and a pilgrimage to St. Brigid’s well. At the well they were met by Phil from Solas Bhride who spoke to them about some of the customs associated with St. Brigid and they learned how her legends have something to say to our lives today. They enthusiastically participated in the pilgrimage and afterwards visited the Solas Bhride Centre where they enjoyed a very welcome lunch break.
