Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
By Wyatt Earp | March 17, 2010
It’s as good a time as any to mix in a little Humpday History Highlight:
Little is known of Patrick’s early life, though we know he was born in Roman Britain in the fifth century, into a wealthy Romano-British family. His father was a deacon in the Church, like his father before him. At the age of sixteen he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken captive to Ireland as a slave. According to his Confession, he was told by God in a dream to flee from captivity to the coast, where he would board a ship and return to Britain. Upon returning, he quickly joined the Church in Auxerre in Gaul and studied to be a priest.
In 432, he again says that he was called back to Ireland, though as a bishop, to save the Irish, and indeed he was successful at this, focusing on converting royalty and aristocracy as well as the poor. Irish folklore tells that one of his teaching methods included using the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) to the Irish people. After nearly thirty years of teaching and spreading God’s word he died on 17 March, 461 AD, and was buried at Downpatrick, so tradition says. Although there were other more successful missions to Ireland from Rome, Patrick endured as the principal champion of Irish Christianity and is held in esteem in the Irish Church.
The shame of the holiday – besides the binge drinking – it that it has become almost completely secularized. That’s why I posted the story of Patrick the Saint and not the occasion of Saint Patrick’s Day. I hope that makes sense.
Of course, the post wouldn’t be complete without an Irish lass:
Topics: HHH | 16 Comments »
What…? he didn’t invent Guinness?
About time someone thought to say somthing about St. Patricks’s day that didn’t revolve around green beer. Good job Wyatt
Nice.
Have a liberated St. Patrick’s Day.
Erin go Braghless.
Beannachtaí na Féile Páraic oraibh!
“St. Patrick’s Day blessing upon you”.
It makes sense, except for the hussy in the hi-tops.
If he used a shamrock (three leaves) why does everyone make such a big deal over the 4 leaf clover?
MUD of the O’Patty Clan
You know, like Pattio furniture and Cow patties.
Sully – “To Arthur!”
JimB – Lord knows that is the stereotype. I wanted to minimize that this year.
JT – Braghless. Well played.
Danny – And to you and yours.
Mrs. Crankipants – It’s called “lowest common denominator,” babe. Never gonna get to a million hits by posting photos of saints all day.
MUD – Apparently, they are considered lucky. I don’t get it, either.
Loving the Chick’s Chucks !
Robbie – I knew that you would.
Ahhh..the four leaf: The Father, The Son, The Holy ghost and ..you:)
Happy St. Patty’s day
Sorry, it was my lame attempt at an alliterative phrase.
I just liked the way “Hussy in hi-tops” sounded.
BTW, dyeing Guinness green is a bitch!
Jon – You, too.
Mrs. Crankipants – And I didn’t pick up on that. Damn, I’m a moron. Was in your neck of the woods today buying some Swedish-made shelving.
Oh man! You should have called me. I need to get a Rutbo. We could have dined on meatballs and lingonberries.
Mrs. Crankipants – And a “Princess Cake” for Julia.
Happy St. Patty’s day, Wyatt! Since you brought gratuitous eye candy to what is supposed to be a sancrosanct and insightful post about the real-life St. Patrick, I feel I must respond in kind (Except…..y’know….without the insight to real-life historical figures)
Dyeing Guinness green is sacrilaige! *sob!*
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