St. Patricks Day
Posted on 2005-03-17
Everywhere I look I'm seeing little green folk, and I'm not talking aliens. So that can only mean one thing right??? Yup, in case you haven't noticed it's St. Patricks Day.
Who Is St. Patrick???
St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on 17th March to honor Patrick, Ireland's patron saint. Almost 1500 years ago the patron saint and national hero of Ireland was born to a Gaelic family who had migrated to Britain. The child was called Succat, which means "warlike". Since Britain was part of the Roman Empire and had become Christian, the child was baptised and called Patricius, meaning "noble". For 16 years, Patrick lived a normal life as the son of a prosperous landowner and magistrate.
Captured and forced into slavery, Patrick spent 6 years herding sheep. What is known is that he escaped. What is also known, is that after a period of time, Patrick returned to Ireland to do missionary work.
On his return to Ireland, Patrick was a missionary who worked for 40 years in Ireland, preaching, baptizing, and establishing churches, schools, and colleges. History reports that he used shamrock leaves to explain the meaning of the Trinity. It is also stated that he drove snakes from Ireland, banishing the venomous serpents by beating his drum. It is sometimes reported that St. Patrick died on 17th March, 493 after bringing the Christian faith to Ireland. This date is not confirmed though.
And as it's St. Patricks Day that can only mean one thing..... It's my Mum's birthday. Time for a double celebration me thinks.