Saint Patrick of Ireland is well known around the modern day world. March 17, is a day when people celebrate the "wearing of the green," despite the history of their ancestors.
I am of Irish descent and St. Patrick's Day has always held a special magic for me. Four leaf clovers, leprechauns, the blarney stone and Irish Sidhes (fairies) have been a part of this day for me ever since I was a child. Dad always had a great new "Pat and Mike" joke for us every year.
Many of these traditions are now being taught to my grandsons. This year we will put on our green leprechaun hats, make a St. Patrick's Day cake and talk about fairies and leprechauns.
A question my oldest grandson asked me made me delve deeper into the legend of St. Patrick. He said, "Grandma, who was Saint Patrick."
It is believed that Patrick was born in Kilpatrick Scotland. His parents were Romans who were in charge of the British colonies. When Patrick was in his early teens, he was captured during a raid and taken to Ireland as a slave. Here he learned to tend and herd sheep.
At this time, Druids and pagans occupied Ireland. Patrick learned the practices and language of his captors. Because of the hardships he faced, Patrick turned to God.
When Patrick was twenty, God came to him in a dream and advised him to go to the coast. Patrick escaped and sailors took him back to Britain where he was reunited with his parents. But Ireland beckoned to the young man through his dreams, so Patrick entered the priesthood, was ordained as a bishop and returned to the Emerald Isle in March 433. He traveled across the country converting the people to Christianity.
Patrick was a humble and gentle man who was devoted to God and the importance of his mission. He used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. It has been associated with St. Patrick's Day and Ireland for centuries.
Legend has it that Patrick stood on a hill overlooking the sea, staff in hand and banished all serpents from the Isle forever. This probably symbolizes the end of pagan practices. Saint Patrick died on March 17, 461 at Sale, where he built the first church.
There are many myths and legends about St. Patrick's Day. I hope you enjoy the one below, which I wrote a few years ago.
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