St. Patrick

March 17 is the celebration of St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland.

Hail, glorious St. Patrick dear saint of our isle
On us your poor children bestow a sweet smile
And now Thou art high in the mansions above
On Erin's green valleys look down in your love.

Thy people now exiles on many a shore
Shall love and revere thee till time be no more;
And the fire Thou has kindled shall ever burn bright
Its warmth undiminished, undying its light.

Ever bless and defend the sweet land of our birth
Where the shamrock still blooms as when Thou were on earth
And our hearts shall yet burn wheresoever we roam
For God and St. Patrick and our native home!

(Traditional Irish hymn that is sung in every parish in Ireland on St. Patrick's Day)

St. Patrick was born in Britain of educated and well-to-do Roman parents around 380 AD. At the age of 15 or 16, he was seized by Irish raiders who took him to the North of Ireland where he spent his captivity as a herdsman in what is now County Antrim. After six years of captivity during which he turned to God, he had a vision (recorded in his Confessio, a spiritual autobiography) urging him to escape. He managed to return to his family in Britain, but he could not escape the spiritual calling that led him to the priesthood and back to Ireland.

He studied for the priesthood in France under St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre. Patrick was sent to Ireland in 432 or 433 as bishop to replace St. Palladius, the first bishop of Ireland who died in 431 after a very brief stay. Despite the dangers Patrick traveled widely throughout Ireland, teaching, baptizing, and confirming the mainly pagan Irish who were under the influence of the Druids. The Celtic Cross with its circle (the sun) and cross was a creation of St. Patrick to encourage the devotion of the Irish who revered the sun. He converted entire kingdoms and legions of the common people through the power of his message and his conviction. He built churches, founded schools throughout Ireland, and ordained hundreds of priests to carry on his ministry. Tradition holds that St. Patrick died March 17, 461, after a brilliant, long, and fruitful mission, leaving behind him a largely Catholic Ireland.

Commemorating the death of St. Patrick on March 17 has long been a religious feast day in Ireland. Since the date always falls during Lent, Irish families would attend Mass in the morning and in the afternoon, absolved from the Lenten fast observances, would celebrate with dancing and feasting. Nearly everyone in the western world has heard of St. Patrick, and surely no citizen of Pittsburgh can be unaware of the St. Patrick's Day Parade. But many may not realize that the March 17 parade is a creation of America. Irish soldiers serving in the British Army in New York marched through New York City in 1762 on St. Patrick's Day, and a new tradition was born (which much later emigrated to Ireland).

Legends have St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland, but that may be a metaphor for driving the Pagans from Ireland since snakes were often associated with pagan rites. Far more probable is the story of Patrick, the shamrock and the Trinity. Plucking the shamrock from the ground, Patrick held out the plant to the crowd, showing the three leaves from one stem to explain the Three Persons in one God.

So remember when you decorate with shamrocks or wear one on your lapel, you are not just Wearing of the Green, you are celebrating the Holy Trinity.

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