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Green leaves, it's green they say on the fair side of the hill...Saturday, March 17, 2001
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 Here's a short history of Patrick and his day I hope you enjoy... The person who was to become St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was born in Wales about AD 385. His given name was Maewyn, and he almost didn\'t get the job of bishop of Ireland because he lacked the required scholarship. Far from being a saint, until he was 16, he considered himself a pagan. At that age, he was sold into slavery by a group of Irish marauders that raided his village. During his captivity, he became closer to God. He escaped from slavery after six years and went to Gaul where he studied in the monastery under St. Germain, bishop of Auxerre for a period of twelve years. During his training he became aware that his calling was to convert the pagans to Christianity. His wishes were to return to Ireland, to convert the pagans that had overrun the country. But his superiors instead appointed St. Palladius. But two years later, Palladius transferred to Scotland. Patrick, having adopted that Christian name earlier, was then appointed as second bishop to Ireland. Patrick was quite successful at winning converts. And this fact upset the Celtic Druids. Patrick was arrested several times, but escaped each time. He traveled throughout Ireland, establishing monasteries across the country. He also set up schools and churches which would aid him in his conversion of the Irish country to Christianity. His mission in Ireland lasted for thirty years. After that time, Patrick retired to County Down. He died on March 17 in AD 461. That day has been commemorated as St. Patrick\'s Day ever since. Much Irish folklore surrounds St. Patrick\'s Day. Not much of it is actually substantiated. Some of this lore includes the belief that Patrick raised people from the dead. He also is said to have given a sermon from a hilltop that drove all the snakes from Ireland. One traditional icon of the day is the shamrock. And this stems from a more bonafide Irish tale that tells how Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity. He used it in his sermons to represent how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock on his feast day. Thanks for this day, Lord, to party, to give, to love the ones around us, and to remember you. You buy us out of slavery and set us free. |
Irish Catholics and Irish Protestants struggle to agree on anything, but they both follow Jesus Christ. In the 4th century, Nicholas in Europe and Patrick in Ireland, at first as young bishops and later as beloved patron saints, led the way. St. Nicholas has had his day; this is St. Patrick's. May blessings and peace fall upon all of us today like gentle rain in the spring, may your roads and mine be straight and scenic, may our hearts be filled with music and joy.