The spiritual exigencies of her community and of those numerous strangers who resorted to the vicinity, having suggested to our saint the expediency of procuring the locality to be erected into an episcopal see, she represented it to the prelates, to whom the consideration of it rightly belonged. Deeming the proposal just and useful, Conlath, a recluse of eminent sanctity, illustrious by the great things which God had granted to his prayers, was, at Bridget's desire, chosen the first bishop of the newly-erected diocese. In process of time, it became the ecclesiastical metropolis of the province to which it belonged, [4] probably in consequence of the general desire to honor the place in which St. Bridget had so long abode. Over all the convents of her institute established throughout the kingdom, a special jurisdiction is said to have been exercised by Conlath and his successors in the see of Kildare; but the evidence supplied by historians on this point is by no means of a conclusive character: the only inference that can be deduced from their statements is, that, in virtue of his dignity as metropolitan, the bishop of Kildare was specially charged with the care of the Bridgetine convents established within the province. The desire of the holy abbess for the permanent residence of a prelate at Kildare being accomplished, she applied herself unreservedly to the care of the community over which she immediately presided, and was to them in her every act what the devout A Kempis means by "a mirror of life, and a book of holy doctrine." "Her sanctity was attested by many miracles. She was constantly occupied in promoting the good of others; she often cleansed the lepers, healed the sick and languishing by her prayers, and obtained sight for one blind from his nativity. Nor was the spirit of prophecy wanting to her; numerous were her predictions of future things." (Office, 3 Less. Roman Breviary.) The most eminent persons of her time either visited or corresponded with St. Bridget. Besides several others, St. Albeus, bishop of Cashel or Emly, and St. Brendan of Clonfert, conferred with her on religious subjects; and the celebrated Gildas is said to have sent her, as a token of his esteem, a small bell cast by himself. [5]