Brigid of Kildare comes from a family that believes their people should have the right of choice, which in her time means the right to choose their religion. At the time, Ireland is considered barbaric and unworthy unless they convert to the Roman ways. Having a father with pagan beliefs and a Christian mother, Brigid is able to explore what no other woman is able to experience and with that comes knowledge to make her own choice regarding the future. She can speak many different languages fluently, weld a sword like the most experienced warrior and is free to roam the country side on horseback. However, when the time comes, she must choose a path that makes all of her tutoring for naught or become more by embracing her beliefs.
Alex Patterson loves her profession; she has a calling to handle and appraise ancient relics, and her training and experience allow her to do her job well. Sister Mary, from the Church of Brigid, requests Alex's presence in Ireland to authenticate a relic dating to the 5th century that's been in their possession for over 1000 years. To prove such a claim, Alex must carefully examine the artifacts and research any written words to confirm they are worthy of an auction. Her journey takes her to a time when women didn't have any power within the church, where beliefs were banned and forbidden by the Romans and the love of His word was sacred. She finds the path of Brigid of Kildare, the passion for her God and the strength of woman willing to do His work.
Heather Terrell weaves a fascinating tale full of intrigue and unwavering love towards religion and ones beliefs. A very interesting read!
Rich in historical detail, Heather Terrellβs 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.Β Fifth-century Ireland:Brigid is
Irelandβs first and only female priest and bishop.
Followers flock to her Kildare abbey and scriptorium.
Hearing accounts of Brigidβs power, the Church deems her a
threat and sends Decius, a Roman priest and scribe, on a
secret mission to collect proof of Brigidβs heresy.
As Decius records the unorthodox practices of Brigid and
her abbey, he becomes intrigued by her. When Brigid assigns
Decius a holy task β to create the most important and
sacred manuscript ever made β 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
manuscriptβs vellum pages, which may have dire repercussions
for the Catholic Church and could very well rewrite the
origins of Christianity.
No excerpt available.
© 2003-2026