“If I have any worth, it is to live my life for God so as to teach these peoples; even though some of them still look down on me.”   ~Saint Patrick

Worldwide Celebration
Shelli Carlisle

Every March 17, people all over the world celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.  We love to wear green and pinch those who don’t.  We look forward to corned beef and cabbage with an ice-cold mug of green beer.  But, not many people know who St. Patrick really was and why he is honored year after year.

Maewyn Succat

So who is St. Patrick? He wasn’t born in Ireland and he wasn’t religious.  His name wasn’t even Patrick; his given name was Maewyn Succat. No wonder he changed it. At 16 he was kidnapped by Gaelic slave traders and sold to an Irish farmer.  While in captivity he turned to Christianity.  After six years of slavery he escaped to a monastery and became a priest.  He returned to Ireland and preached the Gospel.  It is said he converted many Pagans to Christianity and as a missionary he baptised thousands of people to Christianity; including Kings, Queens, their sons and daughters, as well as their soldiers.  He inspired many, many other people to take up the cause and become missionaries, thus following the model St. Patrick had created. He died March 17, 461 C.E.. but his memory still lives on in celebration of his memory. BTW, did you know St. Patrick has never been canonized by the church, even though they list him as a saint?

Myth: St. Patrick drove all the snakes out of Ireland.  Actually, there are no snakes native to Ireland.  Historians believe that the reference to snakes is really a metaphor for Pagan religions and St. Patrick inspiring them to convert to Christianity.

Did you know? In Ireland wearing green is considered unlucky? Green is the color of the fairies who steal little children.  The shamrock is the official plant of Ireland and was considered sacred in ancient Ireland symbolizing rebirth.  It is said St. Patrick used the shamrock (a three-leaf clover) to represent the trinity of God.

Irish Folklore: Leprechauns are believed to be cranky little people who mend fairies shoes and cause mischief wherever they go.

More Cool Things From Ireland: Irish music is lively and an historic art form. The old tradition of Celtic dance music is just as popular as today’s Irish rockers.  U-2, The Coors, Sinead O’Conner are just a few of the great musicians Ireland has birthed.  As for incredible dancer, Michael Flatley, he was not born in Ireland.  He was born in Chicago and moved to Ireland.  He is of Irish ancestry.