Saint Patrick

A number of the days we celebrate as holidays started as religious observances, but have been largely "paganized" in modern times. Today's celebration of St. Patrick's Day is a good example. Roman Catholics in Ireland began celebrating the feast day in honor of their patron saint in the 9th or 10th century; the official "feast day" was proclaimed in the early 17th century. Like most Catholic feast days, the commemoration is held on the day of death of the person being honored (March 17, 461 for Patrick), and includes special mention in liturgical readings and prayers. These religious commemorations are still held in Ireland and among Irish Catholics in the USA. In addition to the religious events, public celebrations by Irish immigrants in the USA recognizing the Irish culture and heritage (parades, etc.) grew in popularity in the 19th century. It wasn't until the 1960s that many of the current, non-religious traditions began.

But looking back, Patrick was a fascinating person. He was born in Britain about 385 AD. He was captured by Irish pirates at the age of 16 and enslaved to a shepherd family in Ireland, learning the language and culture, but also feeling the Christian faith of his childhood grow in his heart. After 6 years he escaped to his home country. He spent some time in France learning more about monastic life, and eventually said he received a vision calling him back to Ireland (a mostly pagan country at the time) with the challenge of bringing Christianity to the people. Over many years, his efforts were profoundly successful. It is said he used the shamrock, a 3-leaf clover, to explain the concept of Trinity; that is why we associate the plant with the holiday today.

The writings and teachings of Patrick that survive are few, but show his devoted faith in God as his protector and the focus of his life. The other Irish sayings in the image above, that I compiled a number of years ago, show the typical humor and insight of this group.

I #GiveThanks for the examples, from all around the world and all periods of the past, of those who felt a call to their life-work and were devoted at all cost.