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"St. Patrick's Day is an
enchanted time - a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's
magic." ~ Adrienne Cook.
St. Patrick's Day
is celebrated on March 17th. It honors Saint Patrick, the Patron Saint of
Ireland, who was executed on March 17, about A.D. 461.
There are many legends about of St. Patrick, but this is his story.
Much of Patrick’s life is shrouded in mystery. Historians
disagree on many dates and places in his life story. Patrick was born sometime
around 380 in Scotland or Wales. His parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa, who
were Romans living in Britain in charge of the colonies. His real name was
believed to be Maewyn Succat as he took the name Patrick (or Patricus) after he
became a priest.
As a boy of about fifteen or sixteen, he was captured during a raiding party.
He was taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep for an Irish
chieftain named Milchu who lived on Slemish Mountain in County Antrim.
Patrick's captivity lasted six years. He escaped after he had a dream from God
in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. After a journey of
200 miles, he found a ship which took him back to Britain, where he was
reunited with his family.
St Patrick's Day
Celebrations
The first parade wasn't held in Ireland, but in the United
States. Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York
City, on March 17, 1762.
Until the mid-nineteenth century, most Irish immigrants in America were members
of the Protestant middle class. During the Great Potato Famine in Ireland in
1845, close to a million poor, uneducated, Catholic Irish began to pour into
America to escape starvation. Due to their religious beliefs, the immigrants
had trouble finding even the most menial of jobs. When Irish Americans took to
the streets to celebrate their heritage, they were portrayed in cartoons as
drunk and violent.
An Irish
Blessing
May you live a long
life
Full of gladness and health,
With a pocket full of gold
As the least of your wealth.
May the dreams you hold dearest,
Be those which come true;
The kindness you spread,
Keep returning to you.
May the friendships you make,
Be those which endure;
And all of your grey clouds
Be small ones for sure.
And trusting in Him
To Whom we all pray;
May a song fill your heart,
Every step of the way.
~ Grace E. Easley ~
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