Happy Saint Patrick's Day

"Most humble-minded man,

pouring forth a continuous paean of thanks to his Maker

for having chosen him as the instrument

whereby multitudes who had worshipped idols

and unclean things had become the people of God."

Saint Patrick

I would say that right where we live in Mississippi, all activities are centered to family and religion. People support every events in the town and my husband and I were always present in the crowd. Most families that I knew were family oriented with laid back lifestyle. They are hardworking, God-fearing and most of all, family tops on their list. Events like St. Patrick's Day is well attended and look forward too by families each year. The family of my husband is of Irish descent so, St. Patrick's Day is a big deal for them.

As we all know, Saint Patrick is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. He brought Christianity to the country. I never read his books but, some bookworms said that the Confessio, a spiritual autobiography, and the Epistola, a denunciation of British mistreatment of Irish Christians are good books to read.

Green and Shamrocks

The original color associated with Saint Patrick was blue but, over the years it was changed to green. The green ribbons and shamrocks were worn in celebration of St Patrick's Day as early as the 17th century.

There was a rebellion at that time and the Irish soldiers wore full green uniforms on 17 March to catch public attention and it was also considered as a political statement.

It was known that Saint Patrick used the shamrock, the national flower of Ireland to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish. Wearing and display of shamrocks and shamrock-inspired designs was omnipresent from that day onward.

Snakes and Pagan Practice

 

My husband told me one time that there are no snakes in Ireland. Saint Patrick is most known for driving the snakes from Ireland and most of my online readings claimed that it is true; there are no snakes in Ireland.

 

Probably, it may never have been for the island was separated from the rest of the continent at the end of the Ice Age. Pagan religions worshipped serpents. When Saint Patrick drives away the snakes from Ireland, it became symbolic because it ended the pagan practice.

Saint Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick's Day is observed annually every March 17, the date of his death. It is a tradition for spiritual renewal. Saint Patrick's Day is associated with everything Irish such as anything green and gold, as well as shamrocks and luck.

The holiday began in Ireland and as the Irish spread out around the world, they took with them their history and celebrations. Celebrated on March 17th every year, Saint Patrick’s Day is a religious holiday and many Irish attended mass before going to the festivities.

In the United States, cities with large Irish population just like in Mississippi, St. Patrick's Day is a very big event. Big parades, wearing of the green, Irish music, throwing of Shamrock and green beads, Irish food and drink, and more activities for kids such as crafts and games are part of the festivities. So, Irish or not, let us all celebrate this holiday and have fun!