Showing posts with label Vancouver BC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vancouver BC. Show all posts

Thursday, August 13, 2026

"Finding Our Voice with Brigit, Goddess & Saint” with Mael Brigde


Last week I attended Vancouver Pagan Awareness Day, here in Vancouver, BC, Canada. In 2025, I offered the workshop “Brigit of the Powerful Voice,” where we looked at the traditional connections between Brigit and the voice, and tied that to our own voices, specifically the ways in which we have had our voices stifled, and ways in which we can reclaim them.

I was very happy with how it went, and subsequently led the same workshop online. This year I decided to fine-tune the workshop for both an in-person and an online venue and shift the focus from Brigit herself to the need to reclaim our voices. In truth, the same material was covered, but I wanted to make it clear from the outset that this would be an opportunity for folk to learn about how they might approach this important life task with the help of Brigit.

This year I added another offering. An hour before the workshop, I occupied the main ceremonial circle to lead a devotional and prayers to Brigit. I was very glad that my friend Ngoc had come with me, because everyone scattered when the previous ritual ended. I began setting up my tiny altar and spreading out the thin blanket Ngoc and I were going to sit on, and then I began the ritual with just the two of us. I felt rather silly at first, and wondered if I should skip it, but that felt wrong. I had committed to leading this ritual, and so I entered into it fully and it was grounding and reassuring to do so. When I lifted my voice to sing — three of the prayers in the ritual were sung — a couple of people joined us, and when it was over the four of us sat and talked for several pleasant minutes.

The workshop itself had a full circle of participants, and it also went well. I was very happy to get to speak with people in person about Brigit and do the work together.

I expect I will do another online workshop in the next few months. Perhaps in November; perhaps in the new year. If you are interested in being on a waiting list, please let me know.

Meanwhile, may Brigit bless you, and may you find your true voice, and set it free. 



 

Images: Two social media images with snowdrops as a background to text telling the names and nature of the two events, with dates and place (8 August, Trout Lake). The first image, for the workshop, has a photo of a pen and a journal, as well. All photos by Mael Brigde.

Tuesday, July 01, 2025

“Brigit, Poet of the Powerful Voice” - Live Event with Mael Brigde

 


I am excited to be leading a workshop at Vancouver Pagan Awareness Day. In “Brigit, Poet of the Powerful Voice” we will learn about the power of the voice under Brigit‘s guidance and find expression for our own.
Join me there! I think it will be amazing to do this work together.
Bring a notebook or your phone so you can write something if you are inspired.

Time of workshop TBA.
Vancouver Pagan Awareness Day
Saturday, August 23rd, 2025
10 am to 5 pm

Trout Lake (John Hendry Park)
2105 E 19 Ave
Vancouver, BC, Canada

Come to the Southeast corner of the park – near the concession stand. Come celebrate our 27th year!



Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Open for Registration: St Brigid's Day Festival Vancouver

 


I wrote about our first annual Saint Bridgets day festival a while back, but at the time it wasn’t possible to register for this free conference. It is now!

So the basics:

St Brigid's Day Festival Vancouver Jan 31 - Feb 7, 2021

There are various sessions on different days, fall listed on the image below. Each session is free but there is a limit to the number of people who can sign up. All are online.



See you there?


St Brigid's Day / Lá Fheíle Bríde Festival Vancouver 

This volunteer-led event is proudly sponsored by the Vancouver Consulate General of Ireland

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Vancouver Public Library Still Has a Copy of St. Brigid of Ireland, by Alice Curtayne



To my great surprise, the first full book I ever read about Saint Brigit, which I withdrew from the Vancouver Public Library (in British Columbia, Canada) long, long ago, is still there. If you live nearby, you could have access to this delightful book, written by an intelligent and believing Catholic Irishwoman. She dismisses the whole goddess connection, which makes her not alone in modern scholarship on the subject, but whatever your feelings on that issue, it is still one of the best books on the topic, evocative and informed, thoughtful and persuasive.

For my 2012 review of the book, click here.

St. Brigid of Ireland, by Alice Curtayne.
Publisher:New York, Sheed, 1954
Branch Call Number:235.2 B97s
Characteristics:122 p

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

St. Brigid's LGBTQ-Affirmative Christian Community

I was strolling down Burrard in downtown Vancouver a couple of weeks ago and as I passed Christchurch Cathedral I glanced at the schedule of events. To my great surprise there was a thing called "St. Brigid's Eucharist" on Sundays at 5:30 PM. Curious, I went online to find out more.

Here's what the St. Brigid's people say about themselves.


WELCOME!

Welcome to St. Brigids, a community of Christ-followers in downtown Vancouver. We are an emerging LGBTQ-affirming Christian congregation of Christ Church Cathedral where questions are honoured, faith is nurtured, and discipleship pursued.

St. Brigids is a community that loves to sing, laugh, eat, serve and worship God together in ways that send us refreshed and renewed into our daily lives – wherever that may take us.

If you are new to Vancouver, or are newly seeking a spiritual home, we invite you to join us for Sunday worship. We are a growing, newly formed congregation that welcomes people from diverse backgrounds.

Our hope is that you’ll be able to get to know us through the website and in person so you’ll have what you need in order to decide whether St. Brigids is a community where you can plant roots. You’re invited to get to know us in a way that makes the most sense to you:

We look forward to welcoming you to St. Brigids!

(So how cool is that? say I.)