March 17th

My father is three quarters Irish and a large number of families from my home town are of Irish decent. March 17th has always been a day that was celebrated...St Patrick's Day.

Growing up everyone was expected to wear green on March 17th. If you were one of the unlucky ones caught not wearing green, the other children had the 'freedom' to give you a pinch.

Teachers would take pity on those poor souls who forgot to wear green. They would cut out a shamrock from green construction paper and pin onto the child's shirt. That way they were 'protected' from being pinched.

Our town would host a large parade in honor of St. Patrick's Day. It was usually a nice, warm sunny Saturday. There were floats with different Irish families represented. Candy would be tossed to the children. Bands would play. I remember seeing a dog that had been colored green by his master.

A fun time for all.

Recently, I became curious about this Patron saint of Ireland and did some research.

I discovered his given name was Maewyn Succat and he was born in 12th century Roman Ruled Britian. He was kidnapped by the Irish when he was a teenager. Six years passed before he was able to escape and return to his home in Britian.

Years later as an adult Maewyn felt a call from God to return to Ireland to be used to convert those people to Chrisitanity. But first he spent time studying in a French Monastery.

In 432 Pope Celestine gave Maewyn the honor of Bishop and gave him the name Patrius.

St. 'Patrick' returned to Ireland with a group of men. Their mission was to convert the country to Christianity.

Patrius confronted the high King of Tara and was given permission to spread the Gospel throughout the land. Eventually Ireland did became a Christian nation.

What I find amazing, is not that God sent Patrick back to the country that had enslaved him, but that Patrick was willing to go. And because of his obedience he was used to spread God's word throughout the country who once held him prisoner.

Would I be willing to return to my enemies, so that they could be blessed?

I think St. Patrick should be celebrated, but it is too bad that the history is not well known.

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