irishman1968

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Far from being a saint, until he was 16, he considered himself a pagan. At that age, he was sold into slavery by a group of Irish marauders (oxymoron there) that raided his village. During his captivity, he became closer to God. And I thought that God invented whiskey to keep us Irish from inheriting the Earth. Rape & pillage have a way of cementing one's faith in 'whatever'...

He escaped from slavery after six years and went to Gaul where he studied in the monastery under St. Germain, Bishop of Auxerre for a period of twelve years. During his training he became aware that his calling was to convert the pagans to Christianity.

His wishes were to return to Ireland, to convert the native pagans to Christianity. But his superiors instead appointed St. Palladius. But two years later, Palladius transferred to Scotland (traitor! LOL.) Patrick, having adopted that Christian name earlier, was then appointed as second Bishop to Ireland.  

Patrick was quite successful at winning converts. And this fact upset the Celtic Druids. Patrick was arrested several times, but escaped each time. He traveled throughout Ireland, establishing monasteries across the country. He also set up schools and churches which would aid him in his conversion of the Irish country to Christianity, but let's not hold that against him!

His mission in Ireland lasted for thirty years. After that time, Patrick retired to County Down. He died on March 17 in AD 461. That day has been commemorated as St. Patrick's Day ever since. Green beer, 'Kiss Me I'm Irish' buttons & flashing your boobs for beads...my how proud Patrick must be! :::rolls eyes::: 

Much Irish folklore surrounds St. Patrick's Day. Not much of it is actually substantiated. Some of this lore includes the belief that Patrick raised people from the dead. He also is said to have given a sermon from a hilltop that drove all the snakes from Ireland. Of course, no snakes were ever native to Ireland, and some people think this is a metaphor for the conversion of the pagans. Though originally a Catholic holy day, St. Patrick's Day has evolved into more of a secular holiday. Secular=capitalism. The evil dollar, ironically also green in color, has a way of bringin' us all a little closer, huh?

One traditional icon of the day is the shamrock. And this stems from a more bona fide Irish tale that tells how Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity. He used it in his sermons to represent how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock on his feast day. The twist is that the 4-leaf clover is now considered the 'lucky' one....

The St. Patrick's Day custom came to America in 1737. That was the first year St. Patrick's Day was publicly celebrated in this country, in Boston.

Today, people celebrate the day with parades, wearing of the green, and drinking beer. One reason St. Patrick's Day might have become so popular is that it takes place just a few days before the first day of Spring. One might say it has become the first green of Spring.

Enjoy your 'first green of Spring'.....

The red light warns me
and haunts me
and finally commands,
"Stop!"

The yellow light cautions me,
and slows me done
and urges me to "Think this over!"

The green light inspires me
And empowers me
And finally whispers,
"Start!"

My red beacon
Teaches me self-control.

The yellow beacon
Teaches me inner patience.

My green beacon
Teaches me unconditional courage.

My red friend tells me
My life is worthy.

My yellow friend tells me
My feelings are worth protecting.

My green friend tells me
My goal is precious.



My red voice
Perfects my will.

My yellow voice
Addresses my demons.

My green voice
Fulfils my dream.


What light guides your dreams?  Carelessly running the red light? Are you speeding through your yellow light, again?
 
Just can't wait another second for that light to turn green...can you?