goldbug16 Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 [img]http://www.realshamrock.com/st-patrickB.jpg[/img] [quote]Saint Patrick St. Patrick of Ireland is one of the world's most popular saints. Apostle of Ireland, born at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland, in the year 387; died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, 17 March, 461. Along with St. Nicholas and St. Valentine, the secular world shares our love of these saints. This is also a day when everyone's Irish. There are many legends and stories of St. Patrick, but this is his story. Patrick was born around 385 in Scotland, probably Kilpatrick. His parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa, who were Romans living in Britian in charge of the colonies. As a boy of fourteen or so, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Ireland at this time was a land of Druids and pagans. He learned the language and practices of the people who held him. During his captivity, he turned to God in prayer. He wrote "The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was rosed, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same." "I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain." Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britian, where he reunited with his family. He had another dream in which the people of Ireland were calling out to him "We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more." He began his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, whom he had studied under for years. Later, Patrick was ordained a bishop, and was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland. He arrived in Ireland March 25, 433, at Slane. One legend says that he met a chieftain of one of the tribes, who tried to kill Patrick. Patrick converted Dichu (the chieftain) after he was unable to move his arm until he became friendly to Patrick. Patrick began preaching the Gospel throughout Ireland, converting many. He and his disciples preached and converted thousands and began building churches all over the country. Kings, their families, and entire kingdoms converted to Christianity when hearing Patrick's message. Patrick by now had many disciples, among them Beningnus, Auxilius, Iserninus, and Fiaac, (all later canonized as well). Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in Confessions. After years of living in poverty, traveling and enduring much suffering he died March 17, 461. He died at Saul, where he had built the first church. Why a shamrock? Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity, and has been associated with him and the Irish since that time. In His Footsteps: Patrick was a humble, pious, gentle man, whose love and total devotion to and trust in God should be a shining example to each of us. He feared nothing, not even death, so complete was his trust in God, and of the importance of his mission.[/quote] Now, don't forget your traditional Irish jigs and reels, and your cottage bread, and your Irish soda bread, and your Guinness soaked pot roast, and Irish whiskey cake. None of this green beer garbage. [img]http://www.worldonaplate.org/photos/uncategorized/2007/03/17/sodabread.jpg[/img] Suggested reading: Darby O'Gill and the Good People - Herminie Templeton Kavanugh It's true dry irish humour, and oh, the jolliest thing ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatherineM Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 How about going to mass. That's how my Irish father celebrated the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galloglasses' Alt Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 One thing I've never understood, and particularly peeves me is, why does everyone think that this is a day when 'everyone's' Irish? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Vega Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 [quote name='Galloglasses' Alt' post='1809352' date='Mar 16 2009, 08:46 PM']One thing I've never understood, and particularly peeves me is, why does everyone think that this is a day when 'everyone's' Irish?[/quote] I'll be wearing green, even though I'm a proud Scot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DemonSlayer Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Yeah, I can't understand how they can forget St. Patrick in the term St. Patrick's Day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmotherofpirl Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Listen to LiveIreland.com all day for a real treat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmotherofpirl Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 [quote name='Galloglasses' Alt' post='1809352' date='Mar 16 2009, 10:46 PM']One thing I've never understood, and particularly peeves me is, why does everyone think that this is a day when 'everyone's' Irish?[/quote] They are not. I've never heard anyone say on Columbus Day everyone is Italian, or on Martin Luther King Day everyone is black. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galloglasses' Alt Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Its in the first post and I've definately heard of this before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 About the only "Irish" thing I would do is eat my Lucky Charms and maybe get a Shamrock Shake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachael Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 (edited) i get to go see where i'll be interning all summer my sorta 'interview' Edited March 17, 2009 by rachael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Era Might Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Around here many people eat a corned beef boiled dinner today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmotherofpirl Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Had bangers and mash from breakfast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old_Joe Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 [img]http://ihasahotdog.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/cute-puppy-pictures-luck-rub.jpg[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldbug16 Posted March 17, 2009 Author Share Posted March 17, 2009 [quote name='Galloglasses' Alt' post='1809352' date='Mar 16 2009, 09:46 PM']One thing I've never understood, and particularly peeves me is, why does everyone think that this is a day when 'everyone's' Irish?[/quote] It's not. We Irish take great pride in our heritage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noel's angel Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 I think that's the point he's getting at. '[i]We' Irish[/i]...there are so many people who say 'oh, my granny's aunt's cousin was Irish so that makes me Irish'. It really gets up our noses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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