The Irish patron saint, St. Patrick, was said to be born in Wales in 385 A.D.
His original Welsh name was Maewyn Succat.
Not an early practitioner, Maewyn converted to Christianity around age 16, after he was kidnapped and transported to Ireland as a slave.
His primary job during captivity was to care for the animals.
After his escape, he eventually studied under the renowned St. Germain at a monastery in Gaul.
His passion to convert pagans came about after a vision called him into service.
The Church stationed him in Ireland to win converts, and he remained on his mission for thirty years.
He served as the first Bishop of Armagh.
He built churches, schools, and monasteries in Ireland to promote learning and the Christian faith.
Two of his written works survive in Latin: Declaration (also called Confession) and Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus.
He used the three-leaf shamrock to explain the Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to his followers.
Legend has it that he banished all snakes from Ireland.
He was known to raise the dead.
After striking his walking stick, made of ash, to the ground, the stick grew into a tree.
These famous and soothing words are attributed to him: “Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me.”
He lived 300 years before my favorite fictitious Irish sleuth, Sister Fidelma of the mysteries by Peter Tremayne. Have you read those wonderful books?
St. Patrick died on March 17, 471 A.D.
I hope you enjoyed our St. Patrick quirks. May the luck of the Irish be with you!
Flossie
You have the most interesting facts. I live making Irish theme meals this year I am trying a new menu instead of just corned beef and csbbage
Cathy, I can’t wait to see what delicious dish you come up with for St. Patrick’s Day! You are so innovative in the kitchen.
I love the legends of St. Patrick, and you presented them so well, Flossie. There are several saints that really resonate with me and Patruck is one of them. Happy St. Patrick’s day!
Wow, did I mess the spelling up in that reply, LOL. That’s what I get for using my iPhone to comment. Please excuse my goofs!
No need to tell me about iPhone typos. I know them well from my own experience.
He resonates with me, too, Mae. I wish you a Happy Paddy!
St Patrick is as important to Ireland as St Andrew is for Romania. Thanks for sharing with us, Flossie, and, to be in keeping with the post, here’s an Irish blessing:
“Wherever you go and whatever you do,
May the luck of the Irish be there with you.”
Aww, what a wonderful Irish blessing, Carmen! Thank you for that. I take it to heart.
I’m wearing green and having lunch with a special friend whose initials are–FBR.
I was thinking who who and then it hit me LOL.
LOL!