THE WORLD'S DEBT TO THE IRISH 
remain in the world might well be spared for the 
ife of the cloister. At that time, however, it was 
wh EE ere 
e custom for young women to take vows of chas- 
ity without entering a religious order. Accordingly, 
the family pleaded that Bridget might at least re- 
main at home, doing the good among the poor that 
she had always accomplished and fulfilling her 
uties as a daughter to her parents as they grew 
Ider, without inflicting the inevitable sadness which 
hat complete separation that would be necessitated 
y life in a convent would so poignantly bring to 
hem. The reasoning is not unfamiliar. It is and 
& . q . a 
as always been a favorite family objection in these 
- o | M— - - . = Ei 
cases that just as much good can be done at home. 
The world and its ways do not change with the 
centuries. | Bridget was sure, however, that her 
religious life would be less perfect in that way and 
; Frain be pit 
so nothing could disturb that resolution to live her 
life for others and for God without the disturbance 
of family ties and domestic duties. With the con- 
sent of St. Patrick then and under his direction 
Bridget gather round her a number of young women 
i TI Fal 
or the foundation of a sisterhood whose object 
as to be teaching and charity. The home chosen 
or the new institute was at Kildare on a great level 
ract that represents one of the best agricultural por- 
tions of Ireland. Here Bridget established what 
eventually developed into a college for women. 
Strange as it may seem to us in the modern time, not 
ar away a monastic establishment for men grew up 
and this was under the jurisdiction of Bridget and of 
254