Today marks the annual celebratory festival of the Irish. Beloved by millions of people across the country and around the world, it's often marked by wearing green, drinking green beer and subsequently feeling green, parades and of course the gold standard of Emerald Isle cuisine, corned beef and cabbage! That traditional dish with it's pungent aroma of stewed cabbage, potatoes and carrots with slices of pickled beef brisket is everywhere from restaurants to households, but will have no place at my table. Don't get me wrong, I like potatoes, carrots and even cabbage. But the combination of them with the beef is enough to send me reeling with nausea. Maybe it's the Italian in me who's been raised around fresh garlic, olive oil, linguine and clams, traditional spaghetti and meatballs with sausage, I don't know. But I simply will not for the life of me eat or order it, ever.
Now don't get me wrong, I love almost all things that the scenic and beautiful country of my Irish brothers and sisters has to offer. They have great beers and stouts, world renowned whiskeys, Bailey's Irish Cream and awesome Shepherd's Pie, but alas that's about it. But that's ok as they have never laid claim to be the center of the culinary universe! Instead the Irish are proud, fiercely loyal, stoic and brave people who's history has been checkered, and difficult at best, but regardless an exercise in persistence and tenacity that make the Irish people truly embrace life.
Some facts you may or may not know about this great country. Northern Island is well known for the civil war between Catholics and Protestants. The ongoing conflict between England and the IRA still subliminally exists. They invented the tank, modern tractor, the submarine, color photography, the cure for leprosy, ejector seats for planes and of course Guiness Stout. Their national heroes and some famous alumni of the green isle include, actors Liam Neeson, Pierce Brosnan, musicians James Galway and Bono, singers Sinead O'Connor, The Celtic Women, Nobel Prize winning writer and poet, William Butler Yeats, writer Samuel Beckett and many, many more. They have been instrumental in the building of America and have influenced all walks of life in the USA. Famous Irish Americans include, Teddy Roosevelt, John Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Gene Tunney, Ben Hogan, Mark McGwire, John McEnroe, Tom Brady and also many, many more. But the most influential and greatest hero of Ireland is without a doubt St. Patrick himself. But do you know his story other than the holiday named after Him? Well, if not, here you go! This biography is from the website Catholic Online.
Patrick was born around 385 AD in Scotland, probably Kilpatrick. His parents were 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.
You see without St Patrick's faithful service, Ireland would be a pagan nation today. Instead he like St. Valentine, St. Nicholas and St. Joseph spent their lives in service to our loving and almighty Lord. All of them are celebrated through holidays on the calendar and all were devout men of faith who helped paved the way for the spread of modern Christianity. Unfortunately they are usually just footnotes to the raucous and often unchristian like celebrations that are supplanting their noble work and divine service. By the way did you know that the shamrock is famous because St. Patrick used it to describe the Holy Trinity when he taught, not for luck as it's known today. So when you raise that green beer and dig in to that steaming plate of corned beef and cabbage, salute all that God gave us Irish, especially the man who gave his life's service for Ireland's spiritual future! Top of the morning to you all! I'm off to order a pizza!
John 12:26
If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my
servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
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