It's so much fun to me. I love the real meaning behind the holiday which is the celebration of the life of an incredible man, Patrick. Here is information from Catholic Online.
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 thought to be 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.
I also love the holiday as a time to celebrate all things Irish. It's no secret that I love my Scot-Irish Heritage and try to share it with as many as possible. The country is beyond comprehension in beauty. The food is grand. The accents are most lovely. The stories are amazing. The people are most hospitable. The culture speaks so deep into my heart that I honestly believe my love of Ireland and Scotland is in my DNA.
Today I'm working on my menu plans for our annual party which is held on the Saturday of, or before St. Patrick's Day. So, I'm one week from party day :) I'm doing a bit of research and development in the kitchen today. It smells heavenly. I LOVE this time of year. It soothes my soul and makes my heart sing....with an Irish lilt!
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